It´s normal to feel scared to talk about it, but it needs to be done.

That could be terrible advice if the person is a mandatory reporter and you tell them something you absolutely do not want reported.

Let's say you're a woman who has been abused for years. You escape your attacker, move on with life, and make a clean break. You didn't report it because you didn't feel the police would keep you safe. Fair enough point. They often don't. Scores of women have been murdered by violent exes with criminal records even after begging the police for help.

As a part of treatment for past abuse, you might need talk about it. You want to get it out. You want help. Unfortunately, they are mandatory reporters. It isn't up to the doctor. It isn't up to the survivor. They are required to report under severe penalty of law.

What do you do?

Risk your life, health, and safety by talking to someone you know is required by law to report it to the police? Not talk about it and risk your mental health in the process?

I can see the reason for mandatory reporting, but it does a lot of harm too. There are things I would love to see someone about, but I know I can't. I lose control if I do and I need that more than anything else.