As a Probation Officer, I feel very uncomfortable witnessing the vilifying of vulnerable women and men in the media and on social media, sometimes with devastating consequences.

The media are quick to judge if an individual is charged with an offence, without a true understanding of what that person might be going through. Mental health issues and past trauma are prevalent amongst the cases I work with. Sadly some are also victims of Domestic Abuse and the shame of experiencing humiliating reports in the public domain can be too much for them to bare. 

Please can regulations be put in place regarding the media reporting of vulnerable people to potentially save lives and demonstrate that a compassionate society is one where we never look down on anyone, unless we are trying to help them back up.