Toolkit with Report Form - Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic ...
Toolkit with Report Form - Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic ...
Toolkit with Report Form - Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic ...
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Do:<br />
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS<br />
Protecting Confidentiality<br />
✔ Politely, but firmly, deny requests for information about a particular<br />
victim<br />
✔ Cite PA’s absolute confidentiality statute – Victims of domestic violence<br />
have a legal right to confidentiality: All confidential communications<br />
between a victim and domestic violence program are privileged and<br />
cannot be revealed <strong>with</strong>out the victim’s express written consent<br />
(23 Pa. C.S. 6116)<br />
✔ See Section 4 of the toolkit for more specifics on confidentiality issues<br />
✔ Contact PCADV’s Legal Department for more detailed assistance<br />
Section Three<br />
Don’t:<br />
Don’t reveal a victim’s name or whether she/he is or was a service<br />
recipient<br />
Don’t discuss a case <strong>with</strong> anyone or share information about a victim<br />
<strong>with</strong>out the victim’s written consent<br />
Don’t lie or destroy/falsify records<br />
Don’t instruct a victim to flee<br />
Do:<br />
Don’t:<br />
Responding to Subpoena<br />
for Shelter Resident<br />
✔ Resist the subpoena by responding, “I have no information for you”<br />
or “I can neither confirm nor deny that the person is here.” (Cite<br />
confidentially privilege above)<br />
✔ Inform the resident about the subpoena and suggest that the resident<br />
consult an attorney<br />
✔ See Section 4 of the toolkit for specifics on responding to subpoenas<br />
✔ Contact PCADV’s Legal Department for more detailed assistance<br />
Don’t ever accept a subpoena directed to a resident<br />
Don’t advise the resident to flee or destroy evidence that the<br />
subpoena requests<br />
When Crisis Strikes | <strong>Pennsylvania</strong> <strong>Coalition</strong> <strong>Against</strong> <strong>Domestic</strong> Violence | 2012 page 7