Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) Practice Exam

When reporting incidents of child abuse, what is the appropriate action regarding client information?

1. Maintain your client's confidentiality

2. Include your client's complete records

3. Only include the information necessary to protect the child

4. Ask the client for his/her permission

The correct answer is: Only include the information necessary to protect the child

The appropriate action when reporting incidents of child abuse is to include only the information necessary to protect the child. This aligns with ethical guidelines and legal requirements that prioritize both the welfare of the child and the rights of the client. When making a report, it is crucial to disclose only relevant information that pertains to the abuse and is essential for child protection authorities to take appropriate action. This helps ensure the child’s safety while respecting the client’s confidentiality to the extent possible. Maintaining client confidentiality is essential in most situations, but in cases of suspected child abuse, confidentiality may be overridden by the legal obligation to report. Including complete records may expose unnecessary personal information that is not pertinent to the case of abuse, potentially violating ethical standards regarding the privacy of the client. Asking the client for permission to report abuse is generally not feasible, as the priority is the immediate safety of the child, which may not be secured if the abusive situation allows for such discretion. Therefore, focusing on the relevant and necessary information fosters a balance between protection of the child and adherence to ethical practices regarding client confidentiality.