Disclosures, partial disclosures and indirect comments

A disclosure may be a direct statement, a hint, a request for secrecy, a worried remark from a relative or a child's brief phrase at the desk. Reception staff are often the first to hear these initial words.

People do not always report harm directly. Fear, shame, loyalty, confusion, coercion, disability, language barriers or past poor experiences can shape how someone speaks. A person may give a small clue first to check whether it feels safe to say more.

Disclosures may sound like

• "I am scared to go home."
• "Do not tell them I called."
• "My carer won't let me come in."
• "My child said something worrying last night."
• "I need to speak to someone without my partner knowing."
• "It only happened once, so it probably does not matter."

Partial disclosure still matters

A partial disclosure is still significant. The person may not feel able to describe what happened, or may stop speaking if they become frightened, notice someone nearby or worry about consequences.

Respond calmly and practically. Acknowledge what was said, avoid showing shock, do not press for detailed evidence and explain that the concern must be passed to someone who can help. If immediate danger is possible, follow the local urgent route.

When someone else speaks for the patient

Relatives, carers, partners and professionals sometimes report concerns on behalf of someone else. Do not dismiss this information because it is second-hand. Record who reported it, their relationship to the person, what they are worried about and any safe-contact issues.

What not to do

Take partial disclosures seriously; people often test whether it is safe before saying more.