Who must an educator notify when dating violence is suspected?

• A. The cafeteria staff
• B. Only if the principal approves
• C. The student alone
• D. Law enforcement and the school counselor

Answer: (D)

When dating violence is suspected, educators act as mandated reporters and must involve both authorities and a school-based support person. Notifying law enforcement ensures immediate safety and initiates any necessary legal response, while the school counselor provides student-centered support, safety planning, and coordination of resources within the school. This combination protects the student’s safety in the moment and connects them to ongoing help. The other options don’t provide the essential mix of legal reporting and appropriate in-school support: cafeteria staff aren’t typically trained to handle safety investigations, requiring principal approval isn’t the right threshold for reporting, and the student alone can’t ensure proper reporting or access the needed supports.