Confidentiality

Confidentiality and Mandated Reporting

Victim Witness services is a non-profit, non-governmental agency that offers a wide range of services to victims and witnesses of crime and crisis. Our staff and volunteers work hard to help you, the client, in many different aspects and abide by a strict code of confidentiality between the advocate and their client. However, VWS staff and volunteers are also bound by mandatory reporting guidelines. If the client discloses any of the instances below, we are mandated by law to report to the local law enforcement or applicable agency and make a report.

Those Instances include:

• If the Client discloses that they are going to harm themselves or another individual.
• If the client discloses that there has been any abuse, neglect or maltreatment of a child.
• If the client discloses that there has been any abuse, neglect or maltreatment of a vulnerable adult
• If the client discloses that they will give or have given perjured testimony or if communication contains exculpatory evidence.

While we strive to meet all the needs of our clients, we as an agency are bound to adhere by these mandated reporting guidelines. Confidentiality will only be breached if the client presents with one or more of the above mentioned instances and will be informed of such at the moment of disclosure. If you have any questions or comments about this information, please talk with a VWS volunteer or staff member.