Should I report this domestic violence?

[Wreckless1]

I work as a receptionist in a private clinic. Over the years, I have seen an elderly man and his wife visiting for various treatments. They are very rich business people, both over 80. He can be quite nasty and keeps all of the money. She has to ask him for money when she gets treatment and he makes comments about the money coming out of his bank. A while ago she was crying in the waiting room and eventually told me that he abuses her all of the time and cuts her private parts. When I told my boss he said that he knew all abut it but she definitely didn't want any help because it will bring bad publicity to the family and he might kill her.I saw them in town a while ago and the man was twisting her hand up and I coulkd see bruises on her leg the next time she came to the clinic. Maybe the bruises could have come from other things but maybe they were from her husband. I can't sleep because of thinking about it and what should I do. My boss also said that it might be a lie but I don't think that is the right way to see anything like this. My boss told me that he isn't allowed to say anything t anyone because of his professional rules and laws and people have a choice for what they do or don't do so he will sack me if I report it and he will be in trouble with his professional organization. I know this but it is fg terrible and cant be right in this day and age.

Unless she is a vulnerable adult (depending on which clinic you're in, understandable that you don't want to say) I don't think there's an awful lot you can do if she didn't ask for your direct help. You are not the HCP and by informing the police you could make things worse for her. Likewise SS and although I've only worked NHS and with vulnerable adults so our rules are different you could be breaching confidentiality by informing anyone without her explicit consent. I would go back to the HCP and tell them her disclosure has been troubling you and see if they can give you a proper, informed answer as to why it isn't being reported. If she is not vulnerable and doesn't want it to be and they are bound by that they should be able to tell you that in an informed way and direct you towards the relevant guidelines. If that is correct.

Your practice should have a Safeguarding Policy in place and information on how to contact the Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults Team

What on earth in the OP's post suggests she's not a Vulnerable Adult?

Does being female automatically mean you are a vulnerable adult unless it can be proved otherwise?

This is a very difficult situation indeed. In my job if a patient presents with an injury secondary to domestic abuse we can only report to the police if the patient consents to this unless the injuries are gun shot wounds or knife wounds in which case we have a duty to report even without consent. If the patient declines police involvement then social services can be informed if there are children involved. Does this lady have any history of dementia or mental health problems which may make her a vulnerable person? If so I imagine a social services referral would be the most appropriate course of action however I would encourage you to talk to your boss and other staff in your clinic first, medical staff should have their own indemnity cover and can get advice on difficult cases like this.

Yes please report, she needs someone to help her, she is vulnerable and being physically abused and assaulted. Fuck duty of care, it's your duty as a human being to help this lady. You wod not hesitate if this was a child, this woman sounds just as vulnerable.

Being female? Pseudo no but her age, disclosure, what the OP has observed in and out of the clinic and the fact that her dinosaur crap boss has confirmed that she's having her genital cut do! I'm utterly at your take on this.

What he did is illegal, if you saw someone being robbed in the street would you report. People often second guess reporting crimes like this, but don't, how would you feel if it went further and she was no longer around to help. Horrid situation for you to be in though

How could you not report this?

Btw, you wouldn't be breaking any confidentiality rules by saying what you saw in the street.

Also it's highly unlikely that a robbery victim might desperately want you to stay out of it.