Resources

Confidentiality and Sexual Violence Survivors: A Toolkit for State Coalitions
Includes chapters on state and federal privileged communications statutes, rape shield laws, sources of privacy for victims, confidentiality waivers, discovery issues and confidentiality, public records, mandatory reporting, anonymous victims, and privacy considerations for specific populations.

Confidentiality and Information-Sharing Within a Coordinated Community Response
Outlines privileged communications for advocates, confidentiality and databases, recordkeeping, and confidentiality differences between government-based and community-based advocates.

Data Security Checklist to Increase Victim Safety & Privacy
Describes the importance of maintaining victims' safety and privacy when using data collection technology, and includes a checklist of guidelines and recommendations to enhance database security.

Final Privacy Rule Preamble, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Includes standards for protecting the privacy of individually identifiable health information. It applies to health care providers who must provide enhanced protections for individually identifiable health information.

Parameters of Privilege and Confidentiality when Collaborating with Community Partners—A Guide for Sexual Assault Counselors and Advocates
Provides members of multidisciplinary teams with information about the scope of privileged communications that sexual assault counselors/advocates must honor. Search for this publication on the National Sexual Violence Resource Center's Library Web site.

Privacy of Victims' Counseling Communications
Reviews state laws and issues related to the privacy of communications between victims and their counselors.

Victim Rights Law Center
Provides information and answers to frequently asked questions on victims' rights including privacy, immigration, physical safety, education, employment, housing, financial compensation, and criminal justice.

The Victim's Right to Confidentiality
Provides a historical background on confidentiality and its implications for services received at rape crisis centers in Illinois.