Dear CNO,
My client’s sibling told me that they are concerned that the client is being abused by their partner. The client has not shared anything about this with me. Am I required to report this?
Thank you for reaching out about this. Situations like this can be really difficult to navigate, and it’s clear you’re thinking carefully about your client’s safety and well-being.
When there are concerns about intimate partner violence (IPV), it’s important to approach the situation with care. A trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approach, one that respects the client’s choices, safety and autonomy, is key.
There is no general duty to report IPV in Ontario. However, nurses are required to report in specific circumstances set out in legislation. For example, when there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a child is in need of protection under the Child, Youth, and Family Services Act, or when the individual is a resident of a long-term care home as required under the Fixing Long-Term Care Act. If you are unsure whether one of these applies, it’s a good idea to connect with employer, your Professional Liability Protection provider or a legal representative for guidance.
Even when there isn’t a duty to report, nurses still have an important role to play. The Code of Conduct speaks to your responsibility to help protect clients from harm, neglect or abuse. This can mean taking time to assess the situation, checking in with the client if it feels appropriate, and thinking about what supports might help. This responsibility isn’t limited to harm caused within the health system, it includes concerns like this as well. You don’t have to navigate it alone. Consulting with colleagues or community partners who have experience in this area can be helpful.
If there is no legal obligation to report, it’s important to respect a client’s decision about whether or not they want to report what’s happening, as much as possible. There are, however, limited circumstances where information can be shared without consent specifically when it’s to reduce a serious risk of harm to someone’s health or safety. These situations are outlined in legislation and in the Confidentiality and Privacy – Personal Health Information practice standard.
Deciding what to do in these moments isn’t always straightforward. You may find it helpful to review the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario resource, Sharing Information in Situations Involving Intimate Partner Violence: Guidance for Professionals.
Finally, it’s worth acknowledging that supporting clients through situations like this can take a real emotional toll. Paying attention to our own well-being matters too. If you need support, there are resources available for nurses, and employers also play a role in helping staff care for themselves. If you’re finding this work is affecting your mental health, you may wish to visit our Mental Health Resources for Nurses webpage for a list of mental health resources that can help.
With care,
Jennifer Cheng, RN, MN
Advanced Practice Consultant, Practice Quality