ethics in providing services to victims of sexual assault texas association against sexual assault...
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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) [email protected]