Problem:
Hannah Pearce
Hannah is a disability support worker at Banksia Care. Outside of her normal work hours, Hannah is part of a youth initiative called 'Youth in Front'. She has been working with Ella, a 14-year-old girl who has been attending the program for some time. Ella has a mild intellectual disability and lack of social skills. She has a history of dishonesty and stealing from others.
Hannah has noticed lately that Ella has been withdrawn. When asked if she is okay, Ella snaps back, 'No! I'm not okay. Would you be okay if your mother's boyfriend kept touching you?'
Ella discloses to Hannah that her mother's boyfriend has touched her sexually on several occasions when her mother has been at work. She has now moved in with her grandmother to get away from him. Her mother went crazy when she found out she was living with Grandma and when Ella told her why she called her a 'lying little b***h'.
Ella tells Hannah that she wants the man locked up so he can't hurt her anymore. Hannah encourages Ella to report him, but Ella says that she would be much too scared to talk to authorities about what has happened.
Ella also says that her mother has no rights over her because she is not her real mother but only a guardian because her mother died when she was a baby.
Ella has a history of lying. Before reporting the allegation, should Hannah decide whether or not Ella is telling the truth? Need Assignment Help?