Question On What Therapist Would Have To Report?

[Lee2001]

Thank you for explaining! My T had not explained it this way! I know how I can talk about this now to therapist. So helpful

 

[Catlovers141]

I am a therapist in the US. I believe this is nation-wide, but could vary by state. The main reason for needing to report things is to keep people safe. So if you were abused when you were a little kid and you have a sibling who is a little kid now and living with the perpetrator, that would be a reason to report because the child could be in danger. Otherwise, no.
Therapists have to report if they believe you will harm yourself in the near future or will harm someone else. Off topic, but if you said you had stolen something from someone that would not be a reason to report.
There are also variations in who has to report what. For example, medical doctors have to report domestic violence. Therapists don't have to, and generally will not.

 

[Lee2001]

Thank you for sharing. My next therapy session I will probably talk about it since I feel I really should work through it. I do not feel as nervous for sharing it.

 

[Lee2001]

So I did share this memory today in therapy. It wasn't as hard as it could have been. The therapist helped a lot. He did say he didn't know the statue of limitations which means he was considering reporting it... But he did say he was there for me first, meaning he would honor my wishes at this time of not reporting. But it may be a consideration down the road. So glad I shared because I really need to work on some stuff and this is probably why I have been struggling. It is nice to get a professional, objective outlook on all of this. Will be in T for a few months but glad to get working on all of this. Thanks for everyone sharing your thoughts.

 

[EveHarrington]

I'm concerned that your therapist is talking about statute of limitations.

That has nothing to do with it and any therapist who falls back on statute of limitations laws doesn't even know the laws of their own profession.

Reporting isn't solely done to prosecute. It's done to keep people safe. A lifetime of abusing could result in many victims. Even those past the statute of limitations can help build a case and protect future victims.

I reported well beyond the statute of limitations.

Are you sure this is a good therapist? This huge ignorance throws up major red flags to me. Is he even trained in therapy/trauma?

Reporting works through social services where I am. Statute of limitations applies if you go to the cops and want to press charges. They are two very different things (but the systems do overlap).

Statute of limitations has no bearing on whether or not something gets reported. Nothing. All child abuse with an identifiable perpetrator must be reported.