Code of Ethics

Every victim assistance professional, paid or volunteer, is expected to act with integrity, to treat all victims and survivors of crime with dignity and compassion, and to uphold principles of justice for accused and accusers alike. To this end, these guidelines govern the conduct for members of the CVAAA:

  1. In relationships with every victim or survivor of a crime, as well as secondary survivors, the CVAAA member shall:
    1. Recognize the interests of the crime victim/survivor.
    2. Respect the crime victim/survivor’s civil and legal rights.
    3. Respect the crime victim/survivor’s rights to privacy and confidentiality, subject only to laws and regulations requiring disclosure of information to appropriate other sources.
    4. Respond compassionately to each crime victim/survivor with service, which is appropriate and personalized.
    5. Foster maximum self-determination end personal empowerment on the part of the crime victim/survivor.
    6. Serve every victim/survivor of crime on behalf of the crime victim/survivor’s stated needs without regard to personal convictions.
    7. Know and abide by the policies addressing conflict of interest within your own agency.
    8. Observe the ethical imperative to have no sexual relations with crime victim/survivors, current or past, recognizing that to do so risks exploitation of the knowledge and trust derived from the professional relationship.
    9. Make crime victim/survivor’s aware of services available within their area.

  2. In relationships with colleagues, allied professionals, and the public, the CVAAA member shall:
    1. Conduct relationships with colleagues, allied professionals, and the public in such a way as to promote mutual respect, and improvement of service.
    2. Encourage proficiency and excellence in service to victims among colleagues and allied professionals, paid and volunteer.
    3. Provide professional support, guidance, and assistance to victim service providers who are new to the field in order to promote consistent quality and professionalism in service to victims of crime.
    4. Encourage colleagues and allied professionals to receive training, supervision, resources and support required in their effort to assist crime victim/survivors.
    5. Act to promote crime and violence prevention as a public service.
    6. Respect the laws of the state of Arkansas and the United States.

  3. In her or his professional conduct, the CVAAA member shall:
    1. Maintain high personal and professional standards in the capacity of a service provider and advocate for crime victim/survivors.
    2. Seek and maintain proficiency in the delivery of services to crime victim/survivors.
    3. Not discriminate against any victim, employee, colleague, allied professional, or member of the public on the basis of age, gender, disability, ethnicity, race, national origin, religious belief, or sexual orientation.
    4. Respect the privacy and confidentiality of a crime victim/survivor as required by law and the policies of the member’s employer and/or victim services organization.
    5. Know and adhere to the Code of Professional Ethics within one’s employment and/or victim services organization.

Updated 4.17.2010