As a school psychologist It is brought to your attention that Samia, a top performing 16 year old student, started deteriorating in her school work. Teachers were worried that something could be going on in her private life that may be affecting her performance.
After spending a few sessions talking to Samia, you discover that her father is trying to force her to marry her first cousin who has not yet arrived to New Zealand. He is insisting on this marriage because he had promised the boy's father that Samia would be his wife.
Samia's father uses violence to assert his control over her. Even though he beats her regularly and she is terrified of him, she begs you not to tell anyone. She does not want to consent to the marriage but is unsure of what to do to escape this situation. She mentions that she has contemplated suicide as a way out but does not think that it is something she could go through with. It seems likely that she would comply with the demands of her father and go through with the marriage even if it is against her will.
As a psychologist, you feel compelled to help her out of this situation but you are unsure as she has asked you to not disclose this information to anyone else. What should you do?
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www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2012/03/29/3466537.htm Acknowledgement goes to Marmou, a previous PPE student who has agreed to this case being used for future case deliberation.
It is proposed that as a psychologist you should tell the authorities that she is being forced to marry through violent means.