Search

Care providers who work with vulnerable people (such as young psychiatric patients or people with an intellectual disability) are sometimes confronted with criminal behavior of their clients. They may doubt whether they should inform the police about this. Respect for autonomy is often regarded as a reason for not intervening in such situations. The authors argue that refraining from interventions does not always do justice to the client's autonomy. Often, clients need help and support to find ways to live a meaningful life. This requires an active attitude of caregivers, stimulating the client not to go out with 'wrong friends'. Interference and persuasion may actually foster the client's autonomy. This does not mean that any kind of intervention is morally justified. Interventions should be effective, and actually help the client to become more autonomous. They should not be more intrusive than necessary. Finally, they should be evaluated with the client, in order to learn how to accommodate care to the individual person. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]