Volunteer Confidentiality and Security
Confidentiality
In order to provide for the safety of the survivors and families that we work with, we maintain a very strict confidentiality policy.
To volunteer with SafeHouse Center, it is necessary that you agree to the following confidentiality guidelines:
- I will not confirm or deny that anyone is a service participant with SafeHouse Center. This includes children and anyone that I see in or around SafeHouse Center facilities. If I am asked directly about someone’s presence at SafeHouse Center, I will state that I have no information, not “She’s not here.”
- I will not take pictures of service participants or children without permission. If I am given permission, I must use SafeHouse Center equipment for all photo-related activities, including development and downloading, unless provided with a SafeHouse Center camera.
- In the unlikely event that I encounter a reason to breach someone’s confidentiality (e.g. commission of a crime, child abuse or neglect, threats to self or others, etc.), I will immediately speak to a SafeHouse Center staff member.
- I will not give a service participant my home or work telephone numbers, and I will re-direct service participants to their advocates when they request something outside of my volunteer role.
- I will immediately disclose any and all violations of confidentiality. My supervisor understands that mistakes are made from time to time, and I will share with them my concerns regarding confidentiality.
- I understand that should I willingly or knowingly violate someone’s confidentiality, I will no longer be allowed to volunteer at SafeHouse Center, both now and in the future.
Security
SafeHouse Center’s state-of-the-art security system is only as effective as the people using it. Therefore, we ask that you agree to the following guidelines:
- I will not prop open locked doors, especially those leading into the shelter from the outside, or from the public side of the building. If I encounter a propped door, I will question why it is propped, and if I see an unattended propped door, I will close it.
- I will not let anyone into the shelter. If I am a HelpLine/Shelter volunteer, I will only allow SafeHouse Center staff, volunteers and current residents into the shelter.
- I will direct donors to deliver items to the public lobby rather than the shelter door.
- I will ask my ride to wait in the vehicle in a parking spot when picking me up. I will identify the vehicle to SafeHouse Center staff.
- When entering and exiting the public lobby after business hours, I will double check that the front doors have been closed and latched.
- I will notify a SafeHouse Center staff person immediately if I encounter any breach of security and/or any suspicious people on the premises.
- If I am issued a key pass, I will not share it. Nor will I add any identifying information to my key pass or its holder. If I lose or misplace my key pass, I will immediately inform my supervisor.
Prior to becoming a SafeHouse Center Volunteer, you will be asked to sign a statement agreeing to the above.
