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What is the Abuse Signal?
What is the Abuse Signal?
Throughout therapy appointments with clients, there may be a need for clients to discreetly let their therapist know that they’re under duress, suffering from domestic abuse, or in an otherwise unsafe living environment.
The Abuse Signal (below) is an internationally recognised hand signal to allow someone to silently communicated this, allowing action to be taken. Mindler provides guidance on this signal on our website.
Action to take
Action to take
Upon seeing this signal, clinician should ensure that no one else can hear the appointment. It is advisable to continue the session using “yes-or-no” questions only, and to contact emergency services if the clinician is worried for the client’s safety. If the decision to contact emergency services is made, it should be discussed (to the best of the clinician’s ability) with the client to make sure they’re prepared and to formulate a plan.
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