Reference no: EM133282832

Assignment:

Protect a Fragile Client or Obey the Law?

Ms. Aspira Montgomery is a female in her late 20s who has been diagnosed as depressed and has a history of suicidal ideation. She has been in individual therapy with Violet Bruder, a social worker, for the last two years. During a recent session, Ms. Montgomery disclosed that she was a victim of sexual abuse during her teenage years and that she had not told anyone about it before. By law, Ms. Bruder is required to report the alleged abuse to the local Child Protective Services agency, but Ms. Montgomery is very resistant to her doing so and fears retaliation because the perpetrator is a relative and still alive. Ms. Bruder is also afraid that if she reports the abuse, Ms. Montgomery will become even more depressed and may harm herself.

1. Briefly describe the ethical dilemma that exists in the case scenario and the course of action you would take.

2. Describe the most important ethical, legal, or other standards applicable to the decision you made. Use the NASW Code of Ethics and other applicable sources.

3. Choose and describe one fact (a variable in the situation, an ethical standard, etc.) that was most important in making your decision. There may be several things that seem important but pick the one that stands out the most to you.

4. Imagine you could change this one fact in any way. Describe how you would change it and explain how the change above would influence your decision and course of action.