A man with a history of domestic violence was allowed to volunteer for Samaritans, raising serious concerns about the charity’s vetting process
Hampshire: So, there’s this wild story about a guy who used to be a domestic abuser. He got the green light to volunteer with Samaritans, which is a charity that helps people in crisis. Can you believe that?
This guy had a record of punching, scratching, and kicking his ex-wife. He was even convicted of assault back in 2020. But somehow, he managed to get hired as a listening volunteer in 2024. It’s pretty shocking, right?
People are really worried about this. I mean, he’s supposed to be talking to vulnerable folks who call in for help. A former volunteer even quit over this whole situation, saying it’s just not right for someone with that kind of past to be in such a sensitive role.
The charity claims they have strict policies in place. They say anyone who poses even a slight risk shouldn’t be allowed to volunteer. But in this case, they let him through after he had a chat about his past with the branch director.
When the details of his assaults came to light, it raised a lot of eyebrows. The charity couldn’t even tell other volunteers about his history because his convictions were considered “spent.” They only found out when someone sent out an email about it.
One whistleblower said it’s a moral failure on the charity’s part. They’re worried about how many more volunteers might have a criminal background. Sure, people deserve second chances, but this is a role that needs a higher standard.
Even the charity’s executive director said they do thorough checks. But it seems like something went wrong in this case. It’s a tough situation, and it’s got a lot of people talking.
