When a counselor is informed of a child's prior abuse but the parents wish to keep it confidential, what is the counselor’s ethical responsibility?

In cases of suspected or disclosed child abuse, a counselor has a legal and ethical responsibility to prioritize the child's safety and well-being above confidentiality. While parents may wish to keep such information confidential, ethical guidelines require counselors to report any knowledge of abuse to the appropriate authorities, as protecting the child is paramount. Therefore, the counselor cannot simply keep the information confidential if it involves potential harm to the child.

The child's safety is the priority in such situations. Counselors are typically mandated reporters, meaning they are required by law to report any suspicions or disclosures of child abuse to the relevant authorities, even if the parents want the information kept private. This obligation supersedes the obligation to maintain confidentiality regarding information shared within a therapeutic or counseling relationship when it pertains to harm.

While parents might have reasons for wanting to keep the information confidential, it is the counselor's duty to inform them of the potential risks to the child and to encourage actions that prioritize the child's safety, such as making appropriate disclosures about the abuse. Reporting to a teacher or school principal without parental endorsement would not be appropriate if there is no specific mandate or direction from child protective services or law enforcement, which is why those choices would not fulfill the counselor's ethical role in safeguarding the child.