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AIBU?

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Original poster

Disclosure made in therapy is being passed on as a safeguarding risk..

179 replies

Idontwantthat · 28/07/2022 12:23

I'm having counselling and last week I disclosed that there had been S.A when I was young (this was 16 years ago)

During the opening few minutes of my session today my therapist said what we discussed was flagged as a (historical) safeguarding issue and it had to be passed on to social services as he's still out there. She wanted me to give his name and I very reluctantly did as it felt like I didn't have much choice and was under pressure.

I made it clear I don't want to speak to the police and I don't want my name mentioned to anybody and she said she would make a note of that.

I have a bad feeling now. I don't want her to do anything with the information. I know the statistics for prosecuting historical sex crimes and they don't weigh in the victims favour. I don't want to go back there. I mentioned it purely in a therapeutic manner so that I could process it and move on.

I don't think I'm going to feel comfortable disclosing anything else now.

Can somebody tell me if this is procedure or whether it's unacceptable?

OP posts:
Yarnasaurus · 28/07/2022 12:36

LaurieFairyCake · 28/07/2022 12:30

Not procedure

I've counselled hundreds of adults who have suffered SA and never asked for the name of the perpetrator

It's quite different if you're counselling a child or a child discloses about another child (I also work in schools)

Yup, this.

I'd suggest talking to the therapist's regulatory body as this is not standard practice. Certainly not part of any safeguarding training I've ever done, not for historic abuse.

Sirzy · 28/07/2022 12:32

If they think that their is a risk to someone then they are duty bound to report it. Is the person you mentioned still in a position where they will come in contact with young people?

LaurieFairyCake · 28/07/2022 12:30

Not procedure

I've counselled hundreds of adults who have suffered SA and never asked for the name of the perpetrator

It's quite different if you're counselling a child or a child discloses about another child (I also work in schools)

Coffeaddict · 28/07/2022 12:28

This is standard procedure.

You do not need to chase a historical case and don't need to talk to the police.

I had counselling I the rape crisis centre a decade ago and in my welcome session the first thing she told me was that if I disclosed anything relating to child abuse, child sexual abuse or basically anything regarding a minor that this was the circumstances in high they would be required to break confidentialty and inform police / social services.

I would try and keep going with the counciling, now you have disclosed talking about it more should lead to any more reports.