Zero Tolerance Policy

I am committed to providing a safe environment for clients, others in the building, as well as myself, free from physical violence, intimidation, acts of threats, harassment, coercion or verbal abuse.

Any incident of abuse will be dealt with as a matter of urgency and will be reported to the relevant authorities including the police. An incident is classed as any situation in which I, a client, or other individual in the building is faced with direct or perceived violence, aggression, or any form of abuse regardless of it being verbal or written that causes distress including email, text, phone calls, and social media.

a woman with her hand up in the stop position

An incident is classed as any situation in which I, a client, or other individual in the building is faced with real or perceived aggression, violence, any form of abuse whether physical, verbal, or written that causes distress, this includes the following, but is not limited to, therefore this list is not exhaustive:

Physical Abuse: Any actual or perceived behaviours which include use of objects to cause injury, invasion of personal space, and physical contact, including pushing, stalking, touching, hitting, and spitting. The intentional application of force against an individual without lawful justification resulting in personal discomfort or physical injury.

Verbal Abuse: Words used to cause actual or perceived fear, intimidate, distress an individual or group including yelling, shouting, swearing at the practitioner, or offensive gestures or remarks. Derogatory religious, racial, or sexual behaviour or remarks, inappropriate behaviour as a result of substance misuse including illicit or non-prescribed medication and drugs or alcohol. Threats or perceived threatening behaviour i.e. I know where you live, or harassment or stalking.

Abuse in Writing: Any written word (email, letter, text message, social media post etc) which can cause actual or perceived fear, distress, or intimidate anyone whom the written word pertains too. This includes directly identifiable or inferred information that can identify the individual or group.

Aggression: Harassment, intimidation, challenging an individual’s right to physical and emotional safety, and health. The use of inappropriate behaviour or words causing actual or perceived distress and/or constituting harassment. This includes receipt of abusive texts/telephone calls/social media posts etc. from any source.

A Hate Crime: Any words/behaviours with the intent of holding prejudices against an individual’s race, religion, disability, beliefs, gender identify or sexual orientation regardless of whether this is carried out verbally or physically including harassment, intimidation, threats, or damage to property.

Liaison with Police: If any individual experiences abuse this will be reported to the police for investigation. Sudworth Psychology will support the police in any investigations with regards to incidents reported with a view to prosecution.

The therapeutic relationship following a single incident will be terminated – the client will be asked to leave the premises, refusal to do this will result in the police being called. The client will be notified in writing that they will no longer be seen and will be removed as a client from Sudworth Psychology with immediate effect.