A teacher who suspects child abuse should:

A teacher who suspects child abuse should:

• A. Inform the student's family
• B. Discuss with a colleague
• C. Report the incident to proper authorities
• D. Ignore it

Answer: (C)

When a teacher suspects child abuse, the essential action is to report it to the proper authorities. This reflects a legal and ethical duty to protect the child and ensure a professional investigation by trained agencies such as child protective services or law enforcement. Reporting promptly helps get the child safety, support, and protection they need, and it keeps the process within formal channels so evidence is preserved and handled correctly. It’s important to follow your district or state policy, document observations carefully, and avoid trying to investigate on your own or promise confidentiality to the child or family. Informing the family first can put the child at greater risk and may complicate or compromise an investigation, while discussing the matter with a colleague, though sometimes appropriate for guidance, does not substitute for making the official report. Ignoring the concern is not an option and can leave the child in harm’s way.

When a teacher suspects child abuse, the essential action is to report it to the proper authorities. This reflects a legal and ethical duty to protect the child and ensure a professional investigation by trained agencies such as child protective services or law enforcement. Reporting promptly helps get the child safety, support, and protection they need, and it keeps the process within formal channels so evidence is preserved and handled correctly. It’s important to follow your district or state policy, document observations carefully, and avoid trying to investigate on your own or promise confidentiality to the child or family. Informing the family first can put the child at greater risk and may complicate or compromise an investigation, while discussing the matter with a colleague, though sometimes appropriate for guidance, does not substitute for making the official report. Ignoring the concern is not an option and can leave the child in harm’s way.