ETHICS IN PROVIDING SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT

Texas Association Against Sexual AssaultAnnual Conference

March 1, 2012

Eugenia (Jennie) Barr, Ph.D.Crime Victim Services DivisionOffice of the Attorney General

ETHICS IN VICTIM SERVICES

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

Understand the Concept of “Ethical Integrity”

Review Victim Service and Related Codes of Ethics

Identify Professional Behavior of Victim Services Personnel in Various Settings

Explore Ethical Dilemmas Working with Sexual Assault Victims and How to Manage Them Appropriately in the Field

Learn the Ethics of Professional Self Care

ETHICS IN VICTIM SERVICES

PART ONE

ETHICAL INTEGRITY AND

PROFESSIONALISM

"Relativity applies to physics, not ethics"        — Albert Einstein

ETHICS IN VICTIM SERVICES

ETHICS RELATED TO…

Diversity

Forensic/Medical

Prevention

Criminal Justice

Volunteers

ETHICS IN VICTIM SERVICES

DEFINITIONS

ETHICS – Systems of moral values

ETHICAL INTEGRITY – Moral or ethical strength

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS – Sets of standards, based on proven and sound principles of conduct and quality of service, created from within a profession as a means of articulating what constitutes excellence in the field (aka, Professional Codes of Ethics)

ETHICS IN VICTIM SERVICES

VALUES IN VICTIM SERVICES

Competence, including Multicultural

Integrity

Professional Responsibility

Respect for People’s Rights and

Dignity

Concern for Others’ Welfare

Social Responsibility

ETHICS IN VICTIM SERVICES

CODES OF ETHICS

Victim Services Code of Ethics (NVASC)

Mental Health Codes of Ethics• Licensed Professional Counselors• Licensed Social Workers• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists• Licensed Psychologists

Other Professional Codes of Ethics• Law Enforcement (police, sheriffs, troopers)• Criminal Justice (lawyers, judges, probation/parole)• Nonprofits (TAASA) • Healthcare (nursing, physicians)

ETHICS IN VICTIM SERVICES

KEY ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Dual Relationships

Confidentiality, Exceptions and Duty to Warn

Informed Consent

Confidential Privilege

Protection from Civil Liability

Legal Advocacy vs. Legal Advice

ETHICS IN VICTIM SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR OF VICTIM SERVICES PERSONNEL

Boundaries Prejudgments Character and Virtue Moral Orientations Spirituality

Truth or Consequences Individual Rights vs. Good of

Community Voice of Justice vs. Voice of Caring

Ethics and Self-Awareness

ETHICS IN VICTIM SERVICES

PART TWO

ETHICAL CHALLENGES, DILEMMAS,

AND

ETHICAL DECISION MAKING

ETHICS IN VICTIM SERVICES

ETHICAL CHALLENGES IN PROVIDING VICTIM SERVICES

Competing Priorities: Personal and Professional Conflicts of Interest Multicultural Competency

In order to share Ethical Standards: System-Based Providers Community-Based Providers

• Complementary, not Contradictory Roles• Difference in Applicability of Ethical Standards

ETHICS IN VICTIM SERVICES

ETHICAL DILEMMAS

Mental Attitudes that Inhibit Ethical Dilemma Resolution

• Dogmatism

• Rationalization

• Relativism

• Passivity

ETHICS IN VICTIM SERVICES

ETHICAL DILEMMAS Problem Solving

Ineffective Approaches to Problem Solving• False Dilemmas• Rigid Patterns of Thinking

Effective Solutions to Problem Solving• Brainstorming• Reframing• Preventive Ethics

ETHICS IN VICTIM SERVICES

ETHICAL DILEMMAS Communication

Effective Communication on Ethics• Agendas and goals be clearly stated• Avoidance of oppressive behavior and silencing• Honesty and individual responsibility• Respect for everyone• Commitment to resolving the conflict• Focus on specific sources of concern• Clarity of point of view• Sufficient time to work through the problem• Openness to new ideas• Recognition of “unearned privileges”

ETHICS IN VICTIM SERVICES ETHICAL STANDARDS

EXERCISE

Scenarios Where Adherence to a Standard:

• Is a Personal Challenge

• Creates a Conflict

• Is Prevented or Challenged

ETHICS IN VICTIM SERVICES

ETHICAL DECISION MAKING

“Ethical Decision Making is a Skill to be Acquired”

1. Assessment of the facts2. Identification of relevant ethical standards3. Practical concerns that impact decision making4. Assess possible courses of action5. Consequences of various courses of action6. Consultation with a peer or supervisor7. Selection of best option8. Evaluation of the outcome

ETHICS IN VICTIM SERVICES

ETHICAL DILEMMAS

Case Studies

Scenarios from NVASC Code of Ethics

Scenarios from Participants

ETHICS IN VICTIM SERVICES

ETHICAL SELF CAREVictim Services Personnel, repeat after me

“Boundaries, Boundaries, Boundaries” Know where you end and a victim/survivor or client

begins

Know how personal history affects ability to work with victims

Do your own work, know your biases and values on sex, power, gender, orientation, etc.

Know difference between enmeshment and empowerment

Balance in personal and professional life

THANK YOU

Eugenia (Jennie) Barr, Ph.D.Sexual Assault Prevention and Crisis Services

Crime Victim Services DivisionOffice of the Attorney General

(512) 936-1233jennie.barr@oag.state.tx.us