Calling Out the Silence of Violence: The Role of Communication in Overcoming the Privacy Dilemma in the Tarasoff Case

Abstract

The Tarasoff case is a very influential legal event in the field of mental health professional ethics, especially for therapists. This case began with an incident in which a psychology student in the United States, specifically in California, did not report a death threat made by his client to the authorities. As a result, the threat came true and the victim died. The court decision in this case gave birth to what we know as the Tarasoff principle, namely the obligation of a therapist to report potential dangers posed by his client to the authorities or the party being threatened if there is a strong indication that the client will harm himself or others. The implications of the Tarasoff principle are not only limited to therapists. This principle has a broad impact, covering all professions, counselors, and social workers who have an obligation to protect the parties involved. The application of the Tarasoff principle is applied in various situations, such as threats of violence, risk of suicide, and neglect or abuse. The Tarasoff case is a milestone in understanding the relationship between communication, privacy, and professional responsibility, especially in the field of mental health. This case has broad implications for the world of communication and privacy, especially in the context of the relationship between therapist and client. The purpose of this study is to understand the role of communication in dealing with the dilemma of a professional's privacy and violence prevention. By referring to Tarasoff's principles, this study will also show deviations that can occur when implementing Tarasoff's principles in the educational environment, especially in terms of abuse or harassment. This study also provides an update on communication strategies that can be used by social scientists. Given the complexity of the problem, the author uses a qualitative approach with a case study design. This approach allows for a more in-depth theoretical analysis of the case of deviation from Tarasoff's principles and its social context.