Practitioners including employees, professionals, and independent contractors must be aware that they cannot remain anonymous when making a report to social services, unless to do so would place themselves at risk. In this case their concern about risk to themselves should be discussed with social services.
The position for volunteers should be included within the code of conduct with the organisation in which they volunteer.
Members of the public can remain anonymous if they wish to do so unless a crime is suspected, and they are required as witnesses in legal proceedings.