Civil Justice Practitioners

Privacy

For most sexual assault victims, privacy is an omnipresent and enduring need. Once a sexual assault is disclosed publicly or reported to criminal or civil authorities, victims' privacy becomes vulnerable in sadly familiar ways. Their medical, mental health, rape crisis center, and other records are demanded and disclosed in criminal proceedings, often with little or no notice to the victim. Outside of the criminal justice arena, privacy violations may easily occur in relation to employment, education, housing, and financial compensation. Advocates and attorneys must be mindful of the many forums in which victims' records may be disclosed and work proactively to protect them. Maintaining victim privacy requires vision as well as vigilance.