What is the consequence for a counselor if they fail to act under the Duty to Warn?

The Duty to Warn is a legal and ethical obligation for counselors to inform a potential victim or authorities if a client poses a serious threat of imminent harm to themselves or others. When a counselor fails to act in accordance with this duty, the prevailing consequence is civil liability. This means that if harm comes to an individual due to the counselor's inaction, they may be held legally responsible and could face lawsuits for damages resulting from that failure.

While there are professional and ethical implications of not fulfilling the Duty to Warn, which could potentially lead to disciplinary actions such as losing a license, the immediate and most significant consequence is civil liability. This underscores the importance of taking threats seriously and making appropriate referrals or notifications to ensure the safety of all parties involved.