Dealing with third party disclosures—that is, when someone is telling you they know of someone else who is experiencing, or has experienced, abuse such as intimate partner violence, sexual assault, child abuse, trafficking, or any situation where a third party is being abused—can be frustrating because, as harm reduction providers, our options are limited.

Harm reduction workers are not mandatory reporters. But even mandatory reporters cannot act on the word of a third party alone. They need direct disclosure or evidence of wrongdoing in order to act. So what is to be done if someone discloses that a friend or other community member is experiencing abuse?

First, talk to the person about what they know and how they know it. It may be that they have direct knowledge, but they may equally have fallen prey to a rumor, and it’s important to differentiate between the two.

Next, explain the limitations of your position and that you are not allowed to share the information with anyone else. After that, provide the person with resources and suggestions for dealing with the relevant issues, such as seeking care or making an exit plan. Finally, check in with the person about how they are dealing with this information, and ask what kind of support they need as well.