Disclosure

If you are concerned that somebody you know is experiencing abuse, whether this is in a professional or family/friendship capacity, this section will help you to support them.

If they are at immediate risk contact 999 for support.

Enabling disclosure and making safe enquiries

If you have concerns, always try to find out more.

• Create an opportunity to see the person in a safe place
• Make sure the person you are concerned about is on their own, preferably without older children or other family members but always without the partner or the family member who might be harming them being present.
• If using an interpreter, make sure they are independent of the family.

It is important to:

• Let the person speak at their own speed and in their own words
• Remain calm, sensitive, neutral and demonstrate it is ok to talk about it and people will listen
• Ask open questions e.g. “What happened then?” / “How did that make you feel?” but don’t feel that you have to ask everything at once
• Do ask direct questions as needed e.g. “Did he/she hit you?” / “Are you afraid?”
• Don’t ask leading questions e.g. “He/she hit you, didn’t he/she?” / “You’re afraid, aren’t you?”
• Don’t be tempted to ask too much
• Acknowledge how difficult / painful / frightening their situation sounds and that it is very brave / a big step they have taken to speak to you
• Reassure them it is not their fault – abuse is never the fault of the victim. The responsibility for abuse lies with the abuser.
• Explain the limits of confidentiality and that if there are children a referral to Children’s Social Care must be made to explore further support to the victim and children
• Explain you are worried about the person and want to support them; it’s ok to be honest about your concern – you cannot solve the problem, but you can help the person get support
• Ask what support the person would like / how the person thinks you can help
• Discuss safety planning (calling the police, staying with family or friends, going to a refuge or approaching housing at the Council about an emergency move, talking to a specialist support worker) and signpost to resources
• Where there are concerns around ‘honour’ - based violence it is important to consider the level of involvement of wider family and community
• Don’t tell the person what they have to do and do not tell the person to give the perpetrator/s an ultimatum about stopping the abuse or threaten to leave – this can increase risk instead of reduce it; separation is also the most dangerous time.
• Explain next steps about what you will do with the information and how you will update the person

Please see this document for support on referral pathways.

Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (Clare's Law)

Please also see the Support Services Section for other agencies who are able to help.