A 13-year-old reports sexual abuse to you during therapy and asks you not to tell her parents. What should you do?

• A. Report to the police or sheriff's department
• B. Tell the parents immediately
• C. Do nothing
• D. Refer to another clinician

Answer: (A)

When a minor discloses sexual abuse, the clinician has a legal and ethical duty to report it to the appropriate authorities. The main purpose is to protect the child and initiate an investigation. In this scenario, the correct action is to report to the police or sheriff’s department (and/or the designated child protective services) right away. You should tell the minor that you must report what they shared, and you will support them through the process. This duty takes precedence over keeping the disclosure confidential, and it applies even if the minor asks you not to tell anyone.

After making the report, continue to provide support and ensure the child’s safety, document the disclosure and your actions, and follow your agency’s policies for reporting. If there is imminent danger, involve emergency services as needed.

Telling the parents immediately would typically conflict with mandatory reporting requirements and could endanger the child or shut down the protective process. Doing nothing fails to meet your legal and ethical obligations, and referring to another clinician does not address the mandated reporting duty.