What is the legal duty of all individuals regarding a juvenile that has been abused, neglected, or is dependent?

The legal duty of all individuals regarding a juvenile that has been abused, neglected, or is dependent is to report the incident. This obligation stems from various child protection laws that mandate certain professionals, and in many cases, all citizens, to report suspicions of child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities. This responsibility is rooted in the understanding that children are vulnerable and need protection from harm.

Reporting suspected abuse or neglect allows trained professionals to investigate the situation and take necessary actions to ensure the safety and well-being of the juvenile. When individuals fail to report such incidents, they may be allowing further harm to occur, thus failing to fulfill their legal and moral obligation to protect children.

The other options, such as ignoring the situation or counseling the juvenile personally, could lead to further complications and are not effective or appropriate responses. Informing the juvenile's family may also not be the best course of action, especially if the family is involved in the abusive situation, as this could put the child at greater risk. Therefore, the key legal duty is to promptly and properly report any suspicions of abuse or neglect to the designated child protective services or law enforcement authorities.