Ethical Testimony in Cases of Suspected Child Maltreatment: The Ray E. Helfer Society Guidelines

Acad Pediatr. 2020 Aug;20(6):742-745. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2020.02.011. Epub 2020 Feb 14.

Abstract

New guidelines for ethical testimony were developed by the Ray E. Helfer Society, the largest medical professional society for physicians working in the field of child maltreatment. Building on the foundation of ethical guidelines set forth by the American Academy of Pediatrics, these new guidelines set detailed standards for testifying in cases of suspected child maltreatment and recommend that hospitals, medical practices, academic institutions, and professional societies hold their members accountable for court testimony related to child maltreatment as with other forms of medical practice and expert testimony.

Keywords: child abuse; ethics; expert testimony; forensic medicine; professional.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child Abuse
  • Child, Preschool
  • Expert Testimony*
  • Guidelines as Topic*
  • Humans
  • Physicians*
  • Societies, Medical