When a child discloses abuse, what should the mandated reporter do first?

• A. Interrogate the child to confirm every detail
• B. Gather information to determine if a report is warranted
• C. Take no action until a formal complaint
• D. Disclose the disclosure to the family only

Answer: (B)

When a child discloses abuse, the priority is to protect the child and act on the disclosure in line with reporting rules. The first step is to gather essential information to determine if a report is warranted. This means listening carefully, noting what the child said, the date and location of the disclosure, who was involved or present, and any immediate safety concerns. You collect factual, non-leading information to understand whether there’s reasonable suspicion that abuse occurred and therefore whether a formal report is required.

You should avoid interrogating the child to confirm every detail, as that can pressure or retraumatize them. You also should not delay action by waiting for more information or a formal complaint, and you should not disclose the disclosure to the family first, since reporting procedures and confidentiality guidelines govern how and to whom the information is shared. After gathering the necessary information, you proceed to report to the designated authorities promptly and follow district procedures.