Pharmacists' Vital Role in Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse

Childhood abuse, which manifests in adverse childhood events such as neglect and physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, is widespread in the United States. Each year, the Child Protective Services agency rescues more than one-half million children from maltreatment. Because of their accessibility, pharmacists are well positioned to save lives and enhance overall societal health by identifying and reporting child abuse. The pharmacist's role includes being knowledgeable about child abuse, recognizing signs of abuse, identifying characteristics of perpetrators, handling disclosures, and reporting suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities. Being equipped with information on identifying and reporting child abuse enables pharmacists to break the cycle of abuse across the U.S., thereby safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society.