Experience regarding identification and handling of child abuse cases among primary school teachers and school bus attendants- a qualitative study

Background: School personnel play a vital role in the detection and reporting of child abuse, as they encounter almost all children in the population during their daily work. However, they report relatively few cases of suspected child abuse to child protective agencies. The aim of this qualitative study was to investigate the experiences of primary school teachers and school bus attendants regarding child abuse case detection and handling. Methods: Focus group interviews were held among 14 primary school teachers and 14 school bus attendants. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and thematically analyzed according to determinants such as knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, skills, social influences and barriers influencing detection and reporting of child abuse. Results: Findings showed that although both groups of school personnel are aware of child abuse signs and risks, they are also lacking specific knowledge and the formal training regarding the detection and reporting guidelines. Conclusion: The results suggest that frontline workers are in need of supportive tools in the child abuse detection and reporting process.