support circle
do i need to tell anyone?
when someone tells you that they have been subjected to sexual violence & abuse, you may be wondering whether you need to take any action. having some knowledge on some safeguarding guidelines will be helpful so that you know how to respond & provide appropriate support. what you need to do depends on the circumstances of the individual that you are supporting.
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there is no legal requirement for anyone to report to the police.
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adults (over the age of 18 years)- regardless of the nature of the abuse & sexual violence & how long ago it happened, you are not legally required to pass this information on to anyone. The exception to this is if you believe that this adult is vulnerable & unable to protect themselves. For example, if they are suffering from a mental health illness or a disability.
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children & young people (under the age of 18 years) - you may need to share the information with an appropriate professional to protect the child if they or anyone else is in danger or at risk of harm. however, if the child or young person does not wish to report & is not at risk of harm (& if no one else is at risk of harm), there is no need to share information.
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what happens if I need to tell someone?
you may speak directly to the police or your local children's social services. you may remain anonymous if you wish. In the UK, you can also get advice or report your concerns anonymously to the NSPCC (a charity dedicated to fighting child abuse) by phoning its free helpline on 0808 800 5000 or emailing them at help@nspcc.org.uk. if you'd like to learn more about supporting a child who has been subjected to sexual violence & abuse, their website is a great starting point.
If a child under 18 years old discloses any details about sexual violence & abuse & they (or someone else is at risk of harm), please be honest with them if you have to share this information with someone else. we know that this is difficult because you may feel like you are breaking the trust of someone you truly care about. however, please know that it is our responsibility as adults to protect vulnerable people against harm of any kind. by being honest with a child, you are carrying out a duty of care & are prioritising their safety. this is extremely admirable.
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