Reporting Sensitive Information
In the course of certain types of research, investigators may discover sensitive information about subjects that is not related to the study itself which would be reported the appropriate authorities. Examples of such information include sexual activity, STDs, use of illegal substances, or suspected child abuse. It is important for investigators to be aware of the signs of child abuse, reporting responsibilities, and where to report any suspicion. Investigators who work with at-risk minors, for example, will need to demonstrate their qualifications and capability of working with this population, as the IRB views these children as particularly vulnerable.
UMBC Investigator Responsibilities
Investigators have ethical and legal obligations whenever child abuse is discovered. Investigators should be aware that, in most cases, the same reporting expectations pertain in research settings as those acting in a professional capacity (e.g. health practitioner, police officer social workers, etc.).
Any researcher working with children must be familiar with Maryland law requiring reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. According the USM Board of Regents (BOR) Policy on the Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (VI-1.50), University researchers who, when acting in a professional capacity have reason to believe that a child has been abused or neglected, have the obligation to report this suspicion. The Frequently Asked Questions on the UMBC Office of Human Relations provide specifics on what has to be reported, who is required to report, when a report should be made and to whom this report must be made. In essence, if UMBC researchers have reason to believe abuse is occurring or has OCCURRED IN THE PAST, they must make a report to the local police department or the local department of social services and to UMBC’s President’s Designee for USM Policy on the Reporting of Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect.
Review the Research with Children link for specific information on what to include when submitting applications and consent/assent documents for IRB review.
In some cases, it may be appropriate for the PI to seek an NIH Certificate of Confidentiality. This certificate is issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to protect the privacy of research subjects by protecting investigators and institutions from being compelled to release information that could be used to identify subjects with a research project. However, researchers are not prevented from the voluntary disclosure of matters such as child abuse, reportable communicable diseases, or subject’s threatened violence to self or others. See http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/coc/ for information as to whether this is applicable for a particular study.