The Telegraph has uncovered that despite admitting to physically harming his ex-wife by “punching,” “scratching,” and “kicking” her, a convicted domestic abuser was allowed to volunteer for the Samaritans. The suicide prevention charity employed the man in 2024 as a listening volunteer in Hampshire, just under four years after he was convicted of battery. Although his convictions are considered spent, concerns have been raised about his suitability for a role that involves assisting vulnerable individuals who contact the charity’s helpline.
Criticism has been directed at Samaritans for this decision, with accusations of a “moral failure” and endangering callers. A former volunteer who resigned over the issue emphasized the delicate nature of the work, stating that individuals who have committed domestic violence should not be in a position to interact with victims seeking help.
Samaritans stated that their policy prohibits individuals deemed to pose even the slightest risk from volunteering, whether to callers, volunteers, or staff. Despite being found guilty of three counts of assault by beating in 2020, the man was not named by The Telegraph. He received a community order, completed unpaid work, and was subject to a restraining order until 2022 for assaulting his then-wife on multiple occasions in 2019.
When the man applied to join Samaritans in 2024, his past convictions were flagged during the DBS check. In a “disclosure discussion” with the branch director, he detailed the assaults, including phrases like “kick to back,” “scratch to face,” and “punch to (unintelligible).” Despite this information, a review panel at the head office approved his application, and he was allowed to volunteer.
Due to the spent nature of his convictions, other branch volunteers were not informed of his criminal past. It was only revealed when a volunteer who facilitated his DBS check sent a branch-wide email announcing their resignation over the matter. Criticism has been raised regarding the need for a higher standard of vetting for individuals in such sensitive roles.
Samaritans executive director Lis Skeet emphasized that all potential listening volunteers undergo rigorous criminal records checks to ensure the safety of callers and volunteers.
Staff members who have been legally deemed rehabilitated may still face scrutiny by the Samaritans organization. The charity maintains a strict policy that prohibits individuals considered to pose any level of risk from being approved as volunteers. This standard was highlighted earlier this year when Robert Laverick, a listening volunteer based in Leeds, was suspended for publicly advocating for the disassociation of Samaritans from a controversial trans activist group.
Laverick, who also serves as an academic at the University of Leeds, expressed his views online, urging the charity to sever its ties with Gendered Intelligence. This group has garnered attention for its polarizing stances on issues related to sex and gender identity among young individuals. Following an internal inquiry by Samaritans, it was determined that Laverick had contravened several organizational guidelines with his online statements, leading to his suspension from volunteer duties.
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