A coworker was stunned to go into a room and find a parent watching an pro-terrorism, anti-America, anti-Semitic video. Allegedly, it was calling for the destruction of the president, America, Jews. She was horrified at the content and even more so horrified that the parent was watching in front of the child, and didn't seem to care if she heard.
She called Risk Management who said there was nothing to do, because it would be a violation of HIPAA.
I felt DCS should have been called because it is emotionally abusive to subject a child to hate speech. (we're talking actual hate speech, here). She was going to consult with a social worker on this aspect.
I also suggested she make an anonymous FBI and/or Homeland Security tip.
It's a good point. I refrained from posting more detail for a variety of reasons. But the child was not definitely old enough to have discourse about the topic.
"Old enough" is subjective, though ...and if they're very young, they won't know or care what's going on anyway.
What you're describing could easily apply to the media sources a large portion of the population utilizes, are you saying it would be reasonable for us to investigate all of these people for criminal charges?
Regardless of whether you agree with it, or what you think of it, the family can watch whatever they wish. And no, it's not abuse.
It always amazes me how much we, as a society agree with and support free speech; as long as we agree with what is being said.
Look, I totally support free speech. Hate whomever you want, and speak about it publicly, that is your 1st amendment right. However, is it not a crime to encourage violence and destruction against individuals or groups people? And I guess I just feel a little "not right" about a parent listening to it in front of a child.
You were in situations more than once, where you walked in to find a parent watching terror videos, encouraging violence in front of a minor child? So you didn't feel safe, but were not concerned about the safety of the patient? I'm not sure if you read my actual post.
They can do whatever they like according to the First Amendment of the Constitution of the USA. They cannot DO anything along the line, but they can think, read and watch. And I would leave alone the content of video games so many people play in front of minor children.
My situations were, for one example, family member with swastika tattoos watching anti-Semitic video in room (with no minor kids around, but I guess he would do just the same). I left the room and told the manager that if she would force me, a Jew, care for this patient, I would refuse it and let the chips fall where they might. She listened :)
They can do whatever they like according to the First Amendment of the Constitution of the USA. They cannot DO anything along the line, but they can think, read and watch. And I would leave alone the content of video games so many people play in front of minor children.
My situations were, for one example, family member with swastika tattoos watching anti-Semitic video in room (with no minor kids around, but I guess he would do just the same). I left the room and told the manager that if she would force me, a Jew, care for this patient, I would refuse it and let the chips fall where they might. She listened :)
I agree with you, but I just think there is a difference between animated violent video games, and an actual person encouraging actual violence against an actual specific person or specific group of people. I am going to research, but I don't believe this type of speech is actually constitutionally protected.
So...how would one feel if, in the spirit of not wanting to "judge" anyone, you didn't report what you saw and this same parent was arrested for placing a pressure cooker bomb that exploded in a Jewish day care center? Like I say, see something, say something...let the experts do the "judging."
And I guess I just feel a little "not right" about a parent listening to it in front of a child.
I would feel "not right" about it too...especially if the parent is trying to indoctrinate his/her child. However, I really don't see how this rises to the level of abuse. There are lots of less then ideal things parents do (I wish I could turn in parents who let their toddler kids play on the floor of the ED rooms), but it requires something more than "a little not right" before we can report a parent for abuse.
As for speech encouraging violence...there is no law against listening to this. There is something like that on the nightly news regularly. It may leave a bad taste in your mouth to hear it, but you can't turn someone in for listening.
I would feel "not right" about it too...especially if the parent is trying to indoctrinate his/her child. However, I really don't see how this rises to the level of abuse. There are lots of less then ideal things parents do (I wish I could turn in parents who let their toddler kids play on the floor of the ED rooms), but it requires something more than "a little not right" before we can report a parent for abuse.
As for speech encouraging violence...there is no law against listening to this. There is something like that on the nightly news regularly. It may leave a bad taste in your mouth to hear it, but you can't turn someone in for listening.
You're right, I believe it is against the law to actually encourage or threaten violence, but it is not against the law to listen. I think it is subjective on whether it is emotionally abusive or not to subject children to it.
So...how would one feel if, in the spirit of not wanting to "judge" anyone, you didn't report what you saw and this same parent was arrested for placing a pressure cooker bomb that exploded in a Jewish day care center? Like I say, see something, say something...let the experts do the "judging."
So let's take the child out of the picture for a minute. You walk into a patient's room, and he/she is watching a video on their personal device. You hear anti-Semitic phrases being used in the video and the "You Tuber" is advocating violence towards Jews. Do you report that? I understand see something, say something, and if the patient were the one talking about committing violent acts towards Jews, etc., then, yes say something. I don't think you can report them just for watching something.
Since the parents were watching this with the child in the room, I am going to guess they watch these kinds of things at home too. Probably the family culture. While we may disagree with it, are we the ones to police other families culture?
What they find appropriate for their family is not what I would find appropriate for my family. In this day and age, there is a wide range of views. Many of which I do not agree with.
If they were watching this and there was a roommate situation, then the appropriateness of it would have to be discussed with them.
So...how would one feel if, in the spirit of not wanting to "judge" anyone, you didn't report what you saw and this same parent was arrested for placing a pressure cooker bomb that exploded in a Jewish day care center? Like I say, see something, say something...let the experts do the "judging."
That's an overreaction and ties up resources that could be better utilized, IMO. I don't report people watching violent scenes on television because I'm afraid they might decide to murder someone. It's just a TV.
More concerning is what happens out of plain site. Most people with sinister plans don't make an effort to advertise them ahead of time.
Sour Lemon
5,016 Posts
"Old enough" is subjective, though ...and if they're very young, they won't know or care what's going on anyway.