Final answer:
The correct response to a minor disclosing or showing signs of child abuse is to report the abuse to authorities and ensure the child's safety, which is both a legal and ethical imperative.
Step-by-step explanation:
The subject in question here pertains to the appropriate response to suspected child abuse. When a minor discloses abuse or shows signs of it such as severe bruises, the correct course of action is to report the abuse to the authorities immediately. Option A, which is to report child abuse to authorities and ensure the safety of the child, is the ethical and often the legal requirement, especially for individuals in certain professions such as teachers, healthcare providers, and law enforcement officers. This aligns with the fact that a significant number of child abuse reports are made by professionals. It's important to protect children from further harm and to address the situation with the seriousness it deserves.
It is critical to recognize that abuse can occur across all socioeconomic, educational, ethnic, and cultural lines, with neglect being the most common form of abuse. The long-term effects on a child's physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing can be severe, leading to psychiatric disorders, poor academic performance, substance abuse, and other risky behaviors which make it imperative for immediate action to be taken once abuse is suspected or confirmed.