Would you report someone for wrongdoing to a regulator?

[lirfvhb]

Can't discuss this in real life for obvious reasons! Not a sole knows I've done this...

If you found out that someone who worked in a highly regulated industry (think along the lines of providing therapy/counselling) was behaving in an improper manner, would you report them to their regulator?

I reported someone who, in fairness, committed a fairly serious breach which I suspect is just the tip of the iceberg, but I suddenly feel a bit uneasy about it all. The regulator is obviously taking it very seriously, but I suddenly feel a bit anxious about the whole thing and don't know if I should have kept my mouth shut!

I've never reported anyone for anything before, and whilst on the one hand I think this person should face the consequences of their actions, I also feel worried they will work out it's me who reported them.

YABU - you shouldn't have reported them
YANBU - you should always speak out

Well it’s scary to put your head above the parapet but you did the right thing. In fact you were brave.

Well done you for doing the right thing OP.

Was there anyone else you could have reported to? If not, I think you did the right thing. Hopefully they will take it seriously and investigate properly. If she’s done nothing wrong she’ll be fine. I used to be involved with similar investigations and while every issue was taken seriously we had to go in knowing that the occasional complaint would amount to nothing or even be malicious.

I reported an SEN childcare provider who was breaching all kinds of regulations. I felt bad because parents of kids with additional needs are desperate for support......but there were serious safeguarding issues and I couldn't have lived with myself if a child had been hurt.

OP you absolutely did the right thing.

Thank you 💕

Yes. If they can't practice without violating professional rules, rules, they shouldn't be practicing.

Are you worried that it would reflect badly on you in your work place if you were suspected as the reporter, or are you just worried about how the person you reported would react?

Worried about how they would act! Not necessarilly them, but the people around them are known to be quite intimidating and involved in criminal activity 😓

I have in the past. Nothing came of it for the perpetrators. As a pp has said, it’s a brave thing to do.
For all the hassle it caused me and my family, I wouldn’t bother again and I’m not sure I would be in favour of someone doing so either - simply because of what it could and can cost themselves. I would definitely ask them to think very very carefully as to what it could cost them to report.
Whistle blower status is a load of bollocks.

I reported a nurse to the NMC for gross dishonesty - they acted swiftly.

Yes. I reported a counsellor to her governing body for breaching confidentiality. They upheld my complaint and she stepped down.

Were you able to provide evidence to the regulator? Is there a reason you think they could work out who made the report?

I understand that you are more worried about the criminal accomplices of the person you have reported. What are you worried they might do?

I am always on the side of speaking out (and I do when it’s needed) so well done for doing it. They are taking it seriously because it is serious.

it’s natural to feel uneasy about it - you’d not be human if you didn’t.

I completely agree. If more people did what OP has done there would be far less corruption and far fewer victims in the world. She's def done the right thing.

I used to help find fraud and money laundering in my old role, so i despise that sort of crime, but it was my job so i had professional protection. OP is a proper hero.

I just want to find out specifically what she's afraid of happening; is it just understandable nerves, or if there could be some sort of backlash or even risk, and if there's something she can do to feel safer or reassured.

What kind of person would you be if you knew something and didn’t report it? I know you’re not specifically talking about crimes but there is a thread at the moment concerning suspected child abuse and the OP has reported it and has been shunned by her friendship group. All these other mothers knew and were turning a blind eye which makes me wonder what they tell themselves to justify staying quiet. The only cases I might take pause on would concern organised crime but the chances of me stumbling across that now are so remote

Thank you all - I feel a lot better now for reporting it.

I was having a real wobble about everything, but your advice and support has made me feel a lot lighter. 💐

Ultimately, they know that what they have done is wrong, and I even gave them chances to make it right too, so they shouldn't be doing their job if they can't do it properly!

My main concern lies with who this person's friends and 'associates' are. Not organised crime (!), but a big group known locally to be involved with taking drugs and all quite intimidating body builder types!! This person also knows where I live which makes me nervous, but as i said in my OP, I suspect that my report is just the tip of the iceberg, so it won't make me that identifiable.

It will be interesting how it all pans out....

It certainly will be interesting!

I think that if the person you have reported is as up to their neck in no good as you think they are, they will probably have way too much to deal with during the investigation to worry about who might be behind reporting them.

As for the bad guys they've been associating with, if there's going to be any backlash they're more likely to blame their dodgy buisness partner for getting caught, than try guessing who might've reported it.

Never tell anyone, ever, just know you've done the right thing.