Confidentiality

Confidentiality is paramount. Crisis support volunteers are entrusted with 

confidential information from both the police and the victim and it is their responsibility to 

safeguard this trust. Volunteers and staff are also well-versed in the limits of their 

confidentiality with clients where:  

                                                 1. Child protection is an is an issue                                                       

                                                 2. The individual is suicidal or homicidal with intent and a plan 

                                                 3. Information is subpoenaed to court 

• Crisis support volunteers are required to report to police services when a victim(s) indicates imminent risk of harm to self or others. The volunteer informs the victim that it is their legal duty to report these threats of harm to self or others to police services. 

• Crisis support volunteers are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of all information to which they are exposed while serving as a volunteer, whether this information involves a single staff, volunteer, client or other person or involves overall agency business. 

• Volunteers must respect the fact that they are not privileged to all confidential information. 

• All volunteers are required to sign a mandatory agreement of absolute confidentiality. Compliance with that agreement is a formal condition of their participation in the volunteer program. Failure to maintain confidentiality results in disciplinary action, up to and/or including immediate termination. 

• Everyone has the right to respect and privacy.