Tonight’s dilemma comes from Michelle. She works in shop that has a lot of regular customers, who she gets to know quite well. Recently one of her regulars was in the store with her preschool-aged daughter… The little girl told Michelle a story indicating that her daddy was hurting her mummy. The mum quickly brushed it off and told her daughter to be quiet; said “don’t be a bigmouth”, and said nothing more about it. Now, Michelle is stuck wondering what to do.

• Should Michelle report the situation to the authorities – the police or DOCS?

• She is under no legal obligation to, as a teacher or childcare worker would. And there’s a risk that if she does, things could get worse in the home;

• There’s also the risk that Michelle may lose the trust she’s built with this woman, and lose any opportunity to continue encouraging her and being a source of friendship and hope.

• But is it more important to report the story, with the aim of protecting not only the woman, but the child, from harm?

• Michelle feels people tend to dismiss these kind of situations, and “mind their own business”. But she feels a responsibility to at least do something with the information she’s learnt.

• Michelle’s also been encouraging the mum to seek help but  that hasn’t happened so far…

• When vulnerable people are at risk, should we report stories of possible abuse, or is this interfering?