Which statement best describes the difference between disclosure and reporting in TDV context?

• A. Disclosure is a student's sharing of abuse; reporting is the educator’s obligation to report to authorities per policy.
• B. Reporting is optional for educators
• C. Disclosure and reporting are the same
• D. Disclosure must be kept secret from authorities

Answer: (C)

In TDV contexts, what a student shares (disclosure) and what the adult must do (reporting) are two different steps. Disclosure is the student voluntarily telling you about abuse or dating-violence experiences, seeking support and safety. Reporting is the educator’s mandated action to notify the appropriate authorities or school officials according to policy or law. They are not the same: sharing information is about understanding the student’s situation and offering help, while reporting is a formal step taken to protect the student and comply with safeguarding requirements.

Explain to the student the limits of confidentiality and what will be shared, document what was disclosed, and follow your policy to initiate reporting if required. The distinction matters because a disclosure triggers safety-and-procedure actions, not a promise of complete privacy.