For the common app essay, I want to talk about how my background has affected me today. Unfortunately, my background involves what most people would probably classify as physical and/or emotional abuse. Family has already dealt with social services before and everything went smoothly, but if I write about this in my essay, is there even a slight possibility that at least one reader will call social services on me? I don’t want to take the chances again but I do want to write about this topic.
Feedback is appreciated. Thanks.
Hmm. This is a really good question.
I once participated in a webinar about college essay writing, and I asked the woman running it, a former Harvard admissions committee leader, if it would be appropriate to write about deep subjects such as this. She said that sometimes it makes the team question whether or not the applicant is okay/able to hand the amount of academic pressure put on by the school, but other times it makes the applicant look emotionally strong - and whichever yours ends up sounding like all depends on how you write it. If story has an “upward trajectory”, as my essay writing coach has called it, then it looks a lot better than woe-is-me story.
That doesn’t really answer the question. But I feel like she would’ve mentioned if she was a mandated reporter… so that leads me to believe that adcoms are not.
BUT I’m not 100% certain. I think if you’re set on doing this you should write your essay such that it’s clear to the reader that you’re safe now. Ask a trusted friend/adult to read it, and ask them after reading it how they would think you’re doing now based on the story alone.
My biggest concern is that, even if your reader isn’t a mandated reporter (which I’m doubting more and more that they are, because I’m pretty sure they’re not allowed to contact you about personal matters like that), if you write it so that it sounds like you’re unsafe they might have a guilty conscience if they don’t call.
I really like this topic though, and I get the feeling it says a lot about you. I justwish I knew how to go about finding a more concrete answer, because I completely understand your concerns. Hopefully someone who knows more than I do will see this 
@dragonfly26 thanks for the advice!
I do plan on giving my essay a positive spin, and although my GPA/ECs may not be great, I definitely won’t look like I’m mentally unstable and unable to actually do things for myself.
And yes, it would be smart to make it as clear as possible that I’m in no danger in my current situation.