Office for Victim Advocacy Ethics

Office for Victim Advocacy Ethics

Office for Victim Advocacy Ethics

Office for Victim Advocacy Ethics

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

 

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

What is Advocacy?

Ethics 101

Intersección de Victimas

Etica 101

Language Access

       

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 ProvidersThe 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.

NOVA Ethical Dilemma Form

If you prefer to submit your dilemma in Spanish / Si prefiere enviar su dilema ético en español:

Indagación de Dilemas Éticos

Tracking address: mashurl-cdajci@webc.trynova.org (do not email this address)