CASE STUDY

You met with Jen and Tommy, for three sessions one year ago. They were separating, and saw you for guidance about how to tell their nine-year old son, Max, about the impending changes. They described the reason for their breakup as Tommy's recurring relapses with internet pornography. Jen called you recently and asked to see you alone, to which you agreed.

During her meeting with you, Jen revealed that she had "hacked" into Tommy's email accounts (she figured out his password), and found that he was "in active sexual addiction." She said that she "just had a sense" that he was acting-out, and due to concerns about Max's safety when he stays at Tommy's house, had decided to follow her gut instincts. She said that Tommy had been meeting all sorts of people for "anonymous hook-ups", and that some of these may have occurred during days when Max was in Tommy's care. She was worried that Tommy was making poor choices due to his addiction, and possibly bringing people into the house for sex when Max was there.

In addition, she states she is finding Max's behaviour particularly challenging. She states the only way she can get control of him is if she smacks him hard with the wooden spoon. She says she is struggling and doesn't know what to do, and since you were helpful in the past, she decided to ask for your advice.

A. Name the ethical implications (COU811 as per the PACFA Code of Ethics OR CHA811 the SCA Code of Conduct for Spiritual Care Practitioners), legal implications (as per your knowledge of state law), and the clinical implications (as per your clinical expertise and observations), to this case.

B. Consider the child protection implications to this case. What issues do you consider need to be reported. Justify your answer using the documents, tools and information provided by the state jurisdiction where you reside.

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C. Using the ethical grid found on page 77 of the Freegard & Isted (2012) text, describe how you would proceed in this case.