Police aibu

[angru]

I reported domestic violence to the police a year ago. Turns out they haven’t actually investigated it and are starting to now.

They have requested details of my counsellor and my GP

AIBU to not be comfortable with the police accessing my medical records? They haven’t actually explain to what extent they will use my records, just that I can’t pick and choose evidence.

I have spoken about the abuse with my counsellor but also about personal subjects - I’m assuming the unrelated personal subjects would be shared with the abuser?

I don’t think I’ve spoken to my GP about my abuse so all of it is unrelated, so would all my medical records be shared with the abuser?

if it’s just the relevant sections then fine, but I don’t see why my entire medical records need to be disclosed. There’s nothing bad on there but it feels like an invasion of my privacy

This is one of the reasons dame Vera Baird quit at victim's commissioner. It's disgusting.

@Imnothereforthegiggles you have made an assumption there. This was a phone call. I have offered to email over photos. I have also sent these photos to them previously. The police also attended when I had physical injuries the day I was attacked, surely these can be used as evidence

I’m thinking out loud but I would not hand my phone over to the police if they asked though. That feels like an invasion of privacy too far. What happens if the defence is like

“she clearly isn’t abused cause she texted an acquaintance “I’m fine how are you?”, if she was abused she would have said so. And she took a selfie smiling last week so is obviously not upset”

or something like that? Honestly I’m at the stage now where I’m free from him and if he goes on to abuse someone else, that’s on him/the police as I’ve done enough. I get they need evidence but I’m trying to rebuild my life and sharing with him my medical records etc to help his defence is not ok

If you have ever had an injury, spoke to doctors about your MH, been referred to psychology/psychiatryy/adult MH services (all nhs) then that is what they are looking for. I work in a job that requires me to have a quick look at medical records. Not sure if it will be the same for the police but you are only allowed to read the notes on the specific thing you are looking for.

In regards to your counsellor I imagine a report like sheet will be sent and your counsellor will be asked to write a report based on just your domestic abuse experience and what you have disclosed in regards to the abuse. Maybe examples of the abuse and how it has affected you.

Just to add, it is an absolute disgrace that the police have taken this long to investigate this.

Thanks. i have only got help with mental health recently via counselling sessions funded by my work. I haven’t been through the NHS. Therefore in my head, the only option the police would have is to comb through every complaint I’ve attended my GP over to see if it’s linked to abuse or not

I also don’t think it’s fair that my counselling session are explored because it’s a recent disclosure if that makes sense?

If the police investigated a year ago, they wouldn’t be able to speak to my counsellor as I wouldn’t have had any sessions so the evidence wouldn’t exist.

Therefore if the case isn’t strong enough without using my medical records then I think I’ll move on and let them close the investigation. Maybe the evidentiary threshold is too high for me and that’s okay.

What offence are the police investigating?

Police here

Have you asked why they've taken a year ?

Medical evidence is key to securing a conviction. If you actually want a conviction give the police the access they need to evidence the abuse .

VCOP should have been done though - and if its DV, she will be entitled to an enhanced service. Wonder why they have not been in touch for almost a year?

They will be a reason Felix . They can't have put this in the back burner for a year and done nothing.....there will be a backstory

If you report a violent abuser to the police, do they ask to see your phone? I feel really uneasy about that, as my phone has all sorts of conversations on that I would not want the police or anyone else reading, and they are nothing to do with the abuser or abuse. Also, does anyone know how long ago you can report abuse from? I got away years ago but the damage still affects me, physically and mentally, every day.

OP , I don't understand why you're referring to sharing information with Him.
The police may want access to some records to see if they can build a solid case that you've been abused. Your councelor and your GP would be seen as more legitimate sources of information for plain facts & timelines than your own friends/family. The police would be looking only for Relevant information to build the case, and if there's nothing of any value in the medical records, then that's the end of that line of inquiry.
I don't understand where the sharing of your medical records with the abuser becomes a thing.

After a personal appalling experience, I wouldn't hand over my phone either (I didn't get my phone&laptop back for 2 years! ).
Unfortunately though, refusing the phone will very likely equal the case being thrown out.

I'd say that before you pursue the case, you have to make sure that your need for justice is greater than your fear of discomfort.

You’d be better off starting your own thread in ‘legal’ to get answers.

Zombie thread from 2022 so the OP has no doubt long since made her decision.