Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy

Last updated: 05/02/2021

The Defendant is a registered charity. This privacy notice states the legal basis for The Defendant to hold and use information about you, and explains how we use any personal information we collect about you.

We collect and use information about you on the legal basis that doing so is within the purposes of our legitimate interests which do not infringe your interests and rights and we comply with data protection laws.

What information do we collect about you?

Helpline callers and support emails

When you call the The Defendant helpline or contact us for support by email,  we may note information you voluntarily and freely give us, including your name, telephone number, address, email address, work circumstances, and brief notes regarding the issue you have contacted us about which may include details of your health and personal circumstances. You have the right to request that we do not record this information and we will comply with this request. 

How do we use the information about you?

Helpline callers and support emails

The  information we collect about you is used by our staff and volunteers so that they can support you. We keep your personal information for 3 years in order to better assist you should your issue be ongoing or further support be required at a future date. We record some statistical information from each call and email to report on and improve our service. This includes information about gender, the issue you contacted us about, and the outcome. This information never reports about specific people.

We will only share your information if you have expressly given us permission to do so, or where :  

  • We are concerned that you are perceived to be at serious and immediate risk of harming yourself or others
  • You disclose details of involvement in child abuse or abuse of a vulnerable adult 
  • We are required by law to do so 

We will not share your information with third parties or for marketing purposes.

Access to your information and correction

You have the right to request a copy of the information we hold about you. If you would like a copy of some or all your information please email or write to us at the address given at the end of this notice.

We want to make sure that your personal information is accurate and up to date.  Please ask us to correct or remove any information you think is inaccurate.

The right to request erasure (also known as the right to be forgotten)

You have the right to ask for the deletion or removal of personal information where there is no compelling reason for it to be kept but, if the purposes for which the information was collected still exist, The Defendant will be entitled to keep the information. Any request for erasure should be sent to info@thedefendant.org.uk.

The right to complain

If you are concerned about the way The Defendant deals with your personal information you have the right to complain to the Information Commissioners Office. You can contact them by calling 0303 123 1113 or go online to www.ico.org.uk/concerns.

Changes to this notice

We review this notice from annually.

How to contact The Defendant

Please contact us if you have any question/s about this notice or the information we hold about you by emailing info@thedefendant.org.uk.