BACKGROUND:
Child maltreatment affects around 400 million children globally, with severe physical and mental health consequences. Midwives, often in frontline positions, have a key role in child protection but may hesitate to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect (CAN).

OBJECTIVES:
This study explored factors influencing registered midwives’ intention to report suspected CAN in Greece.

METHODS:
Between October 2023 and June 2024, 493 registered midwives participated in our study completing a survey including sociodemographic questions and the Child Abuse Report Intention Scale (CARIS), a validated tool that we adapted for Greece.

RESULTS:
Most respondents (n=462,93.7%) reported receiving no formal CAN education during their pre or post-graduation studies, while only (n=25, 5.1%) had completed related in-service training. While 8.9% (n=44) had previously reported suspected abuse, 17.1% (n=84) admitted to not reporting cases they found suspicious. Common barriers included uncertainty about evidence and fear of legal consequences. Participants showed strong negative attitudes toward harsh discipline, low tolerance toward perpetrators, and generally positive attitudes toward the duty to report. Participants demonstrated moderate knowledge, high perceived social pressure to report, but moderate control over their ability to report. Reporting intention was significantly associated with knowledge, attitude, perceived norms, and control (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:
Although midwives play a crucial role in safeguarding children, they often lack adequate training and clear legal mandates to effectively handle cases of child abuse and neglect. Bridging these gaps through targeted educational reforms and comprehensive policy changes—including legal obligations and protections for those who report- could significantly strengthen midwives’ capacity and confidence to intervene.

KEY MESSAGE:
Midwives’ limited pre and post- graduation training and lack of legal obligation to report suspected child abuse in Greece, undermine their ability to protect vulnerable children. This underscores the urgent need for educational and legislative reforms to support their safeguarding role. Poster session 4 (Group B)