What should a therapist do if they learn of abuse that occurred outside of California?

The correct approach for a therapist who learns of abuse that occurred outside of California is to file a report in California, particularly if the therapist is a mandated reporter under California law. California laws are designed to protect vulnerable individuals, and the therapist has a legal and ethical obligation to report any suspected abuse, regardless of where it occurred, particularly if it involves a client they are currently working with.

By filing a report in California, the therapist ensures that the appropriate authorities have the information they need to investigate the abuse, and this complies with their duty to protect the welfare of the client and other potential victims. This action can initiate the appropriate responses from relevant agencies, even if the incident occurred out of state.

Simply reporting it to the authorities in another state, while necessary in many contexts, is not the primary responsibility of a California mandated reporter. Ignoring the abuse is clearly unethical and fails to protect the welfare of individuals potentially at risk. Suggesting that the client report it themselves may not adequately address the therapist's legal obligations and could place an additional burden on the client, who may already be in a vulnerable position. Therefore, reporting it in California aligns with both legal requirements and ethical practice standards in social work.