When a counselor suspects a student is being abused, what is their first responsibility?

The first responsibility of a counselor who suspects a student is being abused is to contact child protective services. This is because the counselor has a legal and ethical obligation to report any suspicions of abuse to the appropriate authorities who have the expertise and authority to investigate the situation and ensure the safety of the child.

Child protective services are specifically designated to handle cases of suspected abuse or neglect, and they have the resources and procedures in place to assess the child's safety, provide necessary interventions, and take appropriate legal action if needed. Timely reporting is crucial, as it can help protect the child from further harm.

In this context, informing the student's parents is not advisable since it could potentially place the child at greater risk if the abuser is a family member. Consulting with other teachers or the school principal may lead to delays in taking necessary action and is not required as an initial step. The immediate duty is to ensure the child's safety through proper reporting channels.