Abstract: It is reasonable to develop the mandatory reporting system for child abuse in the face of China’s growing problem of child abuse, but it needs to be carefully evaluated and studied before it is carried out. If the system is implemented without careful consideration and solving its dilemma, it will not only fail to achieve the effectiveness of the system, but may also create negative effects. At present, eight difficulties should be dealt with if the mandatory reporting system for child abuse is to be implemented in China: the cultural level, the legal level, the procedural guidelines, the responsible departments, the supporting facilities, the civil organizations, the responsible staff and the system researches. Solutions to these problems should be systematically considered for the effective application of the mandatory reporting system for child abuse. First of all, the children’s rights and interests should be actively advocated and safeguarded at the cultural level. Secondly, we should improve the legislative system of the mandatory reporting system for child abuse. Thirdly, government should establish a competent authority in charge of the prevention and treatment of child abuse, and supporting facilities should be improved. Fourthly, we should speed up the development of NGO and build a mode of cooperation between NGO and the government. Finally, government should establish the main status of social workers and strengthen the research on the mandatory reporting system for child abuse.

Key words: child abuse, mandatory reporting system, mandatory reporting