Mariah states that her friend's father attempted to sexually abuse her; the social worker knows Mariah's history of lying. How should the social worker respond?

• A. He should inform the authorities, and include the facts of Mariah's background in his disclosure
• B. He should ignore the disclosure because Mariah's story is not credible
• C. He should inform the authorities but only after confirming with the friend’s own account
• D. He should inform Mariah's parents and let them decide whether authorities should be contacted

Answer: (A)

When there is suspected child abuse, a social worker has a duty to report immediately, even if the reporter has credibility concerns. The immediate priority is the child’s safety and ensuring a formal investigation can occur without delay. In this situation, the social worker should inform the authorities about the alleged attempted sexual abuse and document all relevant details, including Mariah’s history of lying, so the report provides a complete context for the investigators. This approach upholds the mandated reporting obligation while also recording concerns about credibility for the record. Do not delay reporting to verify the story or involve the friend’s parents; confidentiality and protective action take precedence, and authorities will determine credibility and next steps through their process. After reporting, continue to support Mariah and follow up with appropriate protective and supportive services.