Are there rules about confidentiality and disclosure?

[Deleted User]

In terms of a charity, that supports people locally, I was in their training room and a convo was taking place about a scenario where this man who had a fight with his dad when he was 18. The fight was physical by both of them. Is that something that should then be reported to the police as possible asssult or not? Trying to grasp if their training content is correct. 

[Deleted User]

If you feel a crime has been committed, then yes, you can report it to the police.

But it's very much down to the circumstances and your own judgement as to whether that's the right course of action.

I had plenty of fights with my brothers when I was young and no one though about calling the police.

Jillanddy

MarkN88 said:

In terms of a charity, that supports people locally, I was in their training room and a convo was taking place about a scenario where this man who had a fight with his dad when he was 18. The fight was physical by both of them. Is that something that should then be reported to the police as possible asssult or not? Trying to grasp if their training content is correct. 

There can't possibly be a "correct" answer to this.  If you doubt their training though,  now is the time to quit. BUT reporting stuff to the police yourself is entirely inappropriate unless it is a crime. Two adults fighting may be stupid  but it isn't a crime. Regardless of that,  those supporting people in the community have fine lines to tread. It isn't your duty to police the lines they choose. And if you can't live with that,  you need other employment. 

[Deleted User]

I don’t work for them, I was just taking part in some training. I was just curious to views. 

TELLIT01

Do you know if this scenario was based on an actual incident to which any of the participants in the conversation were privy, or was it simply an exercise asking "In this situation what should you do?"?

[Deleted User]

As far as I know it was just an example, not sure if it was based on fact or fiction. It just involved been split into groups and discussing scenarios. 

My group said, it wouldn’t need reporting, it was a domestic, between father and son, years and years ago, both involved in the fight, no current risk of violence or to life etc. 

It’s just good to hear others opinion. 

MovingForwards

Dad, unknown age

Son, 18yrs old

When happened, years ago

What happened, fight

Why would it be reported now if it's historical and not now, unless it's an ongoing thing?

No, I wouldn't report it but then I don't know what job / training you're doing and would refer to guidance / manager if unsure.

Undervalued

Interesting that the member (MarkM88), who I seem to remember has been around for a long time, has deleted their membership within a few hours of posting this question.

Most reputable councillors / physiotherapists (if there is such a thing given that the "profession" is totally unregulated in the UK) will warn clients that they will break confidentiality if they believe that a "serious" crime may have been committed and report the matter to the proper authority. That is also in the BACP's "ethical framework" by which members are expected to abide,

Undervalued

Jillanddy said:

MarkN88 said:

In terms of a charity, that supports people locally, I was in their training room and a convo was taking place about a scenario where this man who had a fight with his dad when he was 18. The fight was physical by both of them. Is that something that should then be reported to the police as possible asssult or not? Trying to grasp if their training content is correct. 

There can't possibly be a "correct" answer to this.  If you doubt their training though,  now is the time to quit. BUT reporting stuff to the police yourself is entirely inappropriate unless it is a crime. Two adults fighting may be stupid  but it isn't a crime. Regardless of that,  those supporting people in the community have fine lines to tread. It isn't your duty to police the lines they choose. And if you can't live with that,  you need other employment. 

That is arguable! Obviously if it is a properly conducted boxing match (or similar) it isn't regarded as a crime but you cannot legally consent to being assaulted. There is case law to support that. If either party sustains an injury they almost certainly have been assaulted. The fact that they were two adults fighting may be mitigation but it is not a defence.

Jillanddy

Undervalued said:

Jillanddy said:

MarkN88 said:

In terms of a charity, that supports people locally, I was in their training room and a convo was taking place about a scenario where this man who had a fight with his dad when he was 18. The fight was physical by both of them. Is that something that should then be reported to the police as possible asssult or not? Trying to grasp if their training content is correct. 

There can't possibly be a "correct" answer to this.  If you doubt their training though,  now is the time to quit. BUT reporting stuff to the police yourself is entirely inappropriate unless it is a crime. Two adults fighting may be stupid  but it isn't a crime. Regardless of that,  those supporting people in the community have fine lines to tread. It isn't your duty to police the lines they choose. And if you can't live with that,  you need other employment. 

That is arguable! Obviously if it is a properly conducted boxing match (or similar) it isn't regarded as a crime but you cannot legally consent to being assaulted. There is case law to support that. If either party sustains an injury they almost certainly have been assaulted. The fact that they were two adults fighting may be mitigation but it is not a defence.

It may be a crime if one party reports it. But it is absolutely not a crime if someone who wasn't even there reports it.  

Whilst there may be circumstances in which it is appropriate or legally required for a person to make a report of alleged or possible criminal activity,  there are many,  many more circumstances where doing so is professionally inappropriate.  Anyone in such a position, having knowledge of a crime, might encourage or support the victim to report it. They rarely have the right to betray their clients trust by doing so themselves unless it is a matter of safeguarding a vulnerable person. And the definition of that,  and the processes to be followed, are usually strictly defined.  

If, for example,  rape crisis or domestic abuse counsellors were to routinely report crimes to the police,  they would soon have no clients. You may abhor the crime, but it isn't your place to go to the police. 

Undervalued

Jillanddy said:

Undervalued said:

Jillanddy said:

MarkN88 said:

In terms of a charity, that supports people locally, I was in their training room and a convo was taking place about a scenario where this man who had a fight with his dad when he was 18. The fight was physical by both of them. Is that something that should then be reported to the police as possible asssult or not? Trying to grasp if their training content is correct. 

There can't possibly be a "correct" answer to this.  If you doubt their training though,  now is the time to quit. BUT reporting stuff to the police yourself is entirely inappropriate unless it is a crime. Two adults fighting may be stupid  but it isn't a crime. Regardless of that,  those supporting people in the community have fine lines to tread. It isn't your duty to police the lines they choose. And if you can't live with that,  you need other employment. 

That is arguable! Obviously if it is a properly conducted boxing match (or similar) it isn't regarded as a crime but you cannot legally consent to being assaulted. There is case law to support that. If either party sustains an injury they almost certainly have been assaulted. The fact that they were two adults fighting may be mitigation but it is not a defence.

It may be a crime if one party reports it. But it is absolutely not a crime if someone who wasn't even there reports it.  

Whilst there may be circumstances in which it is appropriate or legally required for a person to make a report of alleged or possible criminal activity,  there are many,  many more circumstances where doing so is professionally inappropriate.  Anyone in such a position, having knowledge of a crime, might encourage or support the victim to report it. They rarely have the right to betray their clients trust by doing so themselves unless it is a matter of safeguarding a vulnerable person. And the definition of that,  and the processes to be followed, are usually strictly defined.  

If, for example,  rape crisis or domestic abuse counsellors were to routinely report crimes to the police,  they would soon have no clients. You may abhor the crime, but it isn't your place to go to the police. 

Sorry but that sentence is nonsense. A crime is still a crime regardless of whether anybody witnesses or reports it! There may well be insufficient evidence and / or a lack of resources meaning that it is never investigated, let alone prosecuted but that doesn't mean a crime wasn't committed.