Confidentiality and the Duty to Report Abuse: A Current Case Study

Abstract

Counselors in religious settings face many difficult legal decisions. One of the most frequent decisions is whether or not to report suspected child abuse or neglect. The Washington State Supreme Court recently upheld the convictions of two church-based counselors for failure to inform state officials of suspected child abuse. The reasons given for this decision are discussed. The court's interpretations of state and federal laws have far-reaching implications for counselors who seek to blend religious faith and clinical practice. Such counselors would be wise to consider the court's findings and interpretations vis-à-vis their own clinical work and their understanding of how faith informs practice.