TW! SA

[Candycrush426]

Hi,

I need help asking for a friend who was a victim of SA when she was a child. She is now nearly 50 and it has affected her mentally very bad. I have suggested she see a therapist. She’s happy to do so but she does not want to report the SA to the police or give names.

Is this something that is possible or are they obliged to report the crime to the police?

No they’re not obliged to report the abuse, therapy should be a safe place for her to explore and process what happened. Some therapists mistakenly think they need to report and can bring pressure to bear - she can ask when she contacts them what their policy is around confidentiality and decide based on their response.