Office for Victim Advocacy Ethics
Ensuring ethical practice is imperative to pushing the field forward and creating a standard of dignity and respect for all those impacted by crime and crisis.
The NOVA Office for Victim Advocacy Ethics is a comprehensive resource for victim assistance professionals. We offer innovative training on ethics, engaging events, professional consultation and relevant resources for all those who serve victims/survivors of crime. NOVA is excited to offer this resource so that victim assistance professionals are better supported in doing their critical work.
Sign up for our mailing list to stay up-to-date on the new programs and services coming from NOVA’s Office for Victim Advocacy Ethics.
NOVA and National Advocacy Credentialing Program (NACP)® have published the 2021 Revised Code of Professional Ethics for Victim Assistance Professionals. Check it out! Click here to download. Versión en español aquí.
Are you a NACP® Credentialed Advocate? The NACP® is the first voluntary credentialing program available to crime victim advocates nationwide and is helping to standardize the field of victim advocacy. If you are an NACP Credentialed Advocate, the Code of Ethics has already been updated in all NACP® Applications. When you renew, you will sign the Revised Code of Ethics. Learn more on the NACP® website or email any questions to credential@thenacp.org
Office for Victim Advocacy Ethics Advisory Committee Members
Jeannette Adkins, MEd, LPC, CA (Ret.)
Former Executive Director, National Organization for Victim Assistance
Michael’s House Child Advocacy Center/Green County Prosecutor’s Office, Ohio
Lindy Aldrich, Esq.
Founder, Ladder Consulting LLC
Ericka Dixon
Manager of Training Programs, New York City Anti-Violence Project
Sandy Hunt
Director, Victim/Witness Division, Montgomery County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
Bette M.S. Inch
Victim Services Consultant, Senior Assistance Advisor (Ret.), Department of Defense (DoD) Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Office
Michaelene O’Neill McCann
Attorney ADA and Chief Victim Witness Services (Ret.)
Essex MA District Attorney’s Office, Massachusetts
Jennifer Pollitt-Hill
Interim Executive Director, Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence
Susan Townley
Victim Services Coordinator, Boulder Police Department
Da Shawnna Townsend
Director, Office of Victim Advocacy at Peace Corps
Arlene Vassell
Vice President of Programs, Prevention & Social Change, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
As part of the Office for Victim Advocacy Ethics, NOVA provides quarterly webinars on relevant ethical topics in the field.
All webinars provide 1 CEUs and are free and open to all!
2023 Calendar
Trauma-Informed Supervision
April 11th, 1:00pm – 2:00pm ET
Register Now!
Presenter: Alejandro Palacios, NOVA’s National Advocacy Leadership Center (NALC) Manager
Past Webinars
Ethical Commitments for People in Helping Positions: WATCH RECORDING
(Please note: there is no CEU available for watching the recording.)
April 7th, 1:00pm – 2:00pm ET
Presenter: Doreen Nicholas, Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
Trauma-Informed Practice Refresher: WATCH RECORDING
(Please note: there is no CEU available for watching the recording.)
July 25, 11:00am – 12:00pm ET
Presenter: Alejandro Palacios, NOVA’s National Advocacy Leadership Center (NALC) Manager
No Survivor Justice Without Racial Justice: What are we talking about during DVAM and beyond?: REGISTER HERE
(Please note: there is no CEU available for watching the recording.)
October 17, 11:00am – 12:00pm ET
Presenter: Alrene Vassell, Vice President of Programs, Prevention and Social Change, NRCDV
Revised NOVA Code of Ethics Overview and Q&A: WATCH RECORDING
(Please note: there is no CEU available for watching the recording.)
March 31st, 1:00pm – 2:00pm ET
Presenters: Callie Stewart & Priya Rednam Waldo, NOVA
Ethical Issues of Confidentiality and Privilege: WATCH RECORDING
(Please note: there is no CEU available for watching the recording.)
June 9th, 1:00pm – 2:00pm ET
Presenter: Jeannette Adkins, National Advocate Credentialing Program
Social Media and Victim Advocacy Ethics: WATCH RECORDING
(Please note: there is no CEU available for watching the recording.)
September 28th, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET
Presenter: Da Shawnna Townsend, Office of Victim Advocacy at Peace Corps
Setting Boundaries with A Victim Experiencing Mental Health Disorder: WATCH RECORDING
(Please note: there is no CEU available for watching the recording.)
November 23rd, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET
Presenter: Liz Poprocki, Ohio Victim Witness Association
NOVA’s comprehensive and innovative resource center on ethics for victim advocates.
En Español: Oficina de Ética para la Defensa de las Víctimas
Video Library
2021 Revised Code of Professional Ethics for Victim Assistance Providers
NOVA and National Advocacy Credentialing Program (NACP) have published the 2021 Revised Code of Professional Ethics for Victim Assistance Professionals. The diverse body of Advisory Committee members, in conjunction with NOVA’s Staff and Board, provided timely and relevant changes with an emphasis on inclusive, anti-oppressive guidance for compassionate, client-centered support.
Ethical Dilemma Inquiry
It can be daunting to navigate ethical questions or concerns. We are here to help.
The Ethical Dilemma Form is designed for any victim assistance professional seeking ethical consultation. All submissions will be reviewed by the members of the Office for Victim Advocacy Ethics Advisory Committee, who will provide insight and assist in navigating the dilemma as it relates to victim advocacy ethics.
The Office for Victim Advocacy Ethics Advisory Committee will determine its opinion using NOVA’s Code of Professional Ethics for Victim Assistance Providers. The response you receive from the Advisory Committee is an opinion on an ethical dilemma and should not be taken or treated as legal advice.
Please note that NOVA will act as a mandated reporter and will follow state laws regarding the report of abuse and neglect. In addition, any ethical concerns that are received from or about an NACP or D-SAACP Credential Advocate will automatically be forwarded to the appropriate credentialing body for review.
After the form is submitted, please allow 3-5 business days for the Office For Victim Advocacy Ethics to respond with an opinion in writing. Click the button below to begin.
If you prefer to submit your dilemma in Spanish / Si prefiere enviar su dilema ético en español: