How should a professional respond to a child who discloses abuse but seeks to protect the abuser?

• A. Reassure the child, explain reporting requirements, assess safety, and proceed with reporting while supporting the child's feelings.
• B. Do not report to respect the child's wishes.
• C. Tell the abuser first.
• D. Ignore the disclosure.

Answer: (A)

When a child discloses abuse, the priority is to keep the child safe and to follow mandatory reporting duties, while responding with empathy and support. The best approach is to reassure the child, validate their feelings, explain what needs to be done to protect them, and immediately begin the reporting process in line with legal requirements, all while continuing to support them. This shows the child that their safety matters and that you will take action to protect them, which is why it’s the strongest response. In contrast, opting not to report to honor the child’s wishes can leave them at ongoing risk and may violate professional obligations; telling the abuser first can heighten danger and undermine the purpose of reporting; and ignoring the disclosure fails to acknowledge the harm and erodes the child’s sense of protection and trust.