Threatened at work by a customer

Charityworker

Just wondered if anyone has any advice for me. I work in a drop in centre for people with mild to moderate learning difficulties. As part of my job I am supporting someone who's attending court on a rape charge. By supporting I mean sitting in the court with them, chatting to them whilst in the waiting room and helping them fill in forms etc. I have no idea if this person is guilty or not guilty. My job is purely to do what I've said. Anyway, the father of the person accusing has been into where I work 5 times and threatened and verbally abused me for 'advocating sex offences'. I have done nothing of the sort and am purely there to support in court. I have reported it to the police every time he's been in but they are as useless as a chocolate tea pot. The case has been going on since may last year and wont end till may this year.

anamenottaken

Charityworker wrote: »

Just wondered if anyone has any advice for me. I work in a drop in centre for people with mild to moderate learning difficulties. As part of my job I am supporting someone who's attending court on a rape charge. By supporting I mean sitting in the court with them, chatting to them whilst in the waiting room and helping them fill in forms etc. I have no idea if this person is guilty or not guilty. My job is purely to do what I've said. Anyway, the father of the person accusing has been into where I work 5 times and threatened and verbally abused me for 'advocating sex offences'. I have done nothing of the sort and am purely there to support in court. I have reported it to the police every time he's been in but they are as useless as a chocolate tea pot. The case has been going on since may last year and wont end till may this year.

As well as your reporting it to the police, have you reported it to your employer? If not, why not? If you have, what was their response?

What sort of threats? If they have had to repeat these 5 times, do you actually fear they would carry out the threat?

Charityworker

Yes I have reported it to my employer. My employers are a group of volunteer committee and trustees. They told me to dial 999 as soon as he sets foot in the place.

By threats I mean that he says things like "I will get this organisation closed down", "I'll let everyone in the community know that you promote and advocate rape", "the local paper have agreed to do a 2 page spread on how I and the organisation I work for advocate rape". He shouts at me in the street when I'm not at work and calls out names such as "vile nasty sad old lady". If I stand up for myself he comes back with something worse. Basically this man is a Chav of Jeremy Kyle show proportions and a control freak. Any tips?

Charityworker

I'm sorry but its in my job description. Even people accused of murder get support. Also the operative word you used there is "accused". He hasn't been found guilty.

tomtontom

You do understand that being accused of something does not automatically make you guilty? Should someone with learning difficulties be thrown to the wolves on the word of another person?

OP, contact your local beat officer, ask them to visit you at work so you can chat about what is going on. Meeting someone face to face will hopefully get some action taken, and possibly have the father issued with a harassment notice. Once that has been done, any further reports should (in theory at least) be treated more seriously.

theoretica

Is he threatening the defending lawyer too?

I personally am really glad that people accused of crimes get fair trials, and those with learning difficulties will need more help throught them.

Your work owe you a duty of protection, and I think should formally ban this man from their premises.

fruitedeli

Charityworker wrote: »

Just wondered if anyone has any advice for me. I work in a drop in centre for people with mild to moderate learning difficulties. As part of my job I am supporting someone who's attending court on a rape charge. By supporting I mean sitting in the court with them, chatting to them whilst in the waiting room and helping them fill in forms etc. I have no idea if this person is guilty or not guilty. My job is purely to do what I've said. Anyway, the father of the person accusing has been into where I work 5 times and threatened and verbally abused me for 'advocating sex offences'. I have done nothing of the sort and am purely there to support in court. I have reported it to the police every time he's been in but they are as useless as a chocolate tea pot. The case has been going on since may last year and wont end till may this year.

You do realise he's verbally abusive but he's not threatening you at all with violence? He's stating what he believes to be fact, that his daughter really was raped, you're advocating sex offences by offering support to the rapist. Saying he'll have your organisation closed down and reported to the news isn't a violent act. Don't tell me you really feel threatened by his behaviour. People nowadays too readily use the word threatened when there's no actual violence involved.

ohreally

The legal system is not infallible plus a support worker rarely has the luxury of picking and choosing which clients to work with.

tomtontom

fruitedeli wrote: »

You do realise he's verbally abusive but he's not threatening you at all with violence? He's stating what he believes to be fact, that his daughter really was raped, you're advocating sex offences by offering support to the rapist. Saying he'll have your organisation closed down and reported to the news isn't a violent act. Don't tell me you really feel threatened by his behaviour. People nowadays too readily use the word threatened when there's no actual violence involved.

The OP does not go to work to be verbally abused or harassed.

fruitedeli

tomtontom wrote: »

The OP does not go to work to be verbally abused or harassed.

When a father does something like this to someone not directly involved, it kind of says OP's client is indeed a rapist. OP should show some understanding instead of trying to make this father to be some sort of violent person, just for threatening to go to the daily mail.

hawk30

fruitedeli wrote: »

When a father does something like this to someone not directly involved, it kind of says OP's client is indeed a rapist. OP should show some understanding instead of trying to make this father to be some sort of violent person, just for threatening to go to the daily mail.

No it does not! Innocent until proven guilty! Just because the father believes that his child is telling the truth, does not mean that he/she is.