How should you respond when a young person discloses mistreatment by another adult?

• A. Confront the other adult immediately.
• B. Ignore it.
• C. Praise them for disclosing this information and remind them that you must share it with the director.
• D. Tell them to keep quiet.

Answer: (C)

When a young person discloses mistreatment by an adult, safety and proper reporting are the priorities. Acknowledge what they’ve shared, validate their courage, and clearly explain that you must report this information to the director so the situation can be investigated and the young person is protected. This approach both supports the young person and triggers the appropriate safeguarding steps.

Confronting the other adult first can put the young person at greater risk, ignoring the disclosure leaves them unprotected, and telling them to keep quiet fails to meet safeguarding duties. Document the disclosure and follow your organization’s reporting policy to ensure the next steps are taken.