As mandated reporters social workers are obligated to report observed or suspected incidents of abuse (sexual, physical, verbal, financial, neglect, etc). I understand why social workers may experience ambivalence towards being a mandated reporter and why they may feel it jeopardized the therapeutic relationship. However, I am comforted by the obligation of being a mandated reporter as it take judgement of if and when I should report out of the equation. Often, individual’s I work with will ask me, “can I tell you something, but you can’t tell anyone else”? My response is always the same; “you need to consider what you would like to inform me”. I will then share with the individual that if I believe their health and safety are at risk, I will
