Mariah discloses that a friend's father sexually abused her. The social worker, given Mariah's history of lying, should respond by:

• A. Ignore the disclosure because Mariah's story is not credible
• B. Bring in the student whose father Mariah implicated to find out if she thinks the story is credible
• C. Inform the authorities, and include the facts of Mariah's background in his disclosure
• D. Inform Mariah's parents and let them decide whether authorities should be contacted

Answer: (C)

When a student discloses possible sexual abuse, the most important step is to protect the child by reporting to the appropriate authorities. Social workers are mandated reporters, and laws require that suspected abuse be reported promptly, regardless of concerns about the child’s credibility. Safety and timely investigation take precedence over questions about truthfulness.

In this scenario, the social worker should inform the authorities about Mariah’s disclosure and include the relevant facts, including Mariah’s history of lying, in the documentation. Including this background helps the investigators assess the overall context and risk, while the report itself initiates the protective process. It’s inappropriate to ignore the disclosure, rely on a peer to judge credibility, or involve the parents to determine whether to contact authorities. The priority is to ensure Mariah’s safety through proper reporting, followed by careful, collaborative work to determine next steps.