Abuse

1. Abuse • The misuse of power or betrayal of trust, respect, or intimacy between you and the participant which you know may cause physical, emotional, or spiritual harm • Abuse must be reported Mental Health Association

2. Professional Sexual Misconduct • An extreme form of boundary violation. • Includes any behavior that is seductive, sexually demeaning, harassing or reasonably interpreted as sexual by the participant. • Can be sexual conduct against the participant’s will; two “consenting” adults; marriage to the participant. • It is a breach of trust. • Can be punishable as a criminal offense. Mental Health Association

3. Abuse From Participants • Try to understand the meaning behind the behavior. • Seek supervisory support when working with challenging participants. • Report all instances of abusive behavior directed toward you to your supervisor verbally and in an incident report. Mental Health Association

4. Recognizing Emotional/Verbal Abuse • Disrespectful • Demeaning, Seductive • Exploitive/Manipulating • Insulting/Humiliating • Derogatory • Threatening Mental Health Association

5. Examples • Retaliation • Coercion • Gestures • Intimidation • Teasing, swearing • Inappropriate tone of voice, such as expressing sarcasm, impatience, chastising. • Disregard for modesty. • Cultural slurs • Harassing Mental Health Association

6. Recognizing Physical Abuse • Hitting • Pushing • Slapping • Shaking • Using force • Handling in a rough manner • Use of restraints Mental Health Association

7. Potentially Acceptable Receiving Gifts Receive only token gifts as a courtesy to the participant. Consider why the gift offering is made. Consider cultural beliefs and cultural values. Assess if the nature of the relationship will change (power imbalance). Mental Health Association

8. More About Gifts • Make sure the gift was not solicited. • Make sure the participant is able to understand the nature and consequences of their actions. • Follow organizational policies. Mental Health Association

9. Potentially Acceptable Giving Gifts Given from the organization or group Participant is clear that you do not expect a gift in return. Relationship is not affected. No potential for negative feelings on the part of other participants. Mental Health Association

10. Potentially Acceptable Self Disclosure Only if the information will assist the participant’s recovery goals. Hugging/supportive touch only in selected occurrences. Focus is on the participant’s needs, not your own. Mental Health Association

11. You’ve Gone Too Far When. . . • You complain to participants about other participants. • You complain to participants about your own aches, pains, and illnesses. • You complain to participants about other staff members. • You react with anger toward a participant. • You buy or sell items from or to participants. Mental Health Association

12. You’ve Gone Too Far When. . . • You talk to participants about your personal life in depth. • You tell participants where you live and give them your home phone number. • You plan social activities with participants outside of your professional role with them. Mental Health Association

13. Are You Crossing the Line? • Do you keep secrets with participants that you wouldn’t tell your supervisor? • Do you share personal problems or aspects of your intimate life with participants? • Do you become defensive when someone questions your interactions with a particular participant? Mental Health Association

14. Are You Crossing the Line? • Have you felt possessive of a participant, feeling you are the only one who can meet their needs? • Have you ever flirted with a participant? • Do you use sexual innuendo, off color jokes, or offensive language around participants? Mental Health Association

15. Are You Crossing the Line? Have you ever exhibited • Secretive behavior? • Super Care Giver behavior? • You and me against the world behavior? • Selective communications-selective reporting, double messages? Mental Health Association