Patients protest over abuse
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.MORE THAN 70 people a month are calling a charity with allegations of abuse about therapists, doctors, nurses and counsellors. Tighter regulations are needed urgently to clamp down on those who take advantage of their position to bully and abuse their clients, according to the new Prevention of Professional Abuse Network (Popan).
It also says that the complaints procedure itself can be "punitive and distressing" and can take years to conclude.
Dr Fleur Fisher, co-chair of Popan, said it was particularly worrying that a third of cases involved counsellors or psychotherapists. "No minimum standards of competence ...are required before somebody can practise as a counsellor or a psychotherapist," she added.
The Health minister Paul Boateng told Popan's AGM yesterday that the Government's General Social Care Council will have "the muscle and determination to make a difference" in these problems.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments