Conozca la Ley: District of Columbia

ACTUALIZADA 10 de julio, 2008

If you speak to a counselor at a domestic violence program (including a hotline, shelter, etc.) about emotional or physical abuse, the counselor must keep that information confidential.  It doesn't matter if you speak to him/her on the phone or in person.  It also doesn't matter if the counselor is a volunteer or a paid employee.*

The counselor can only share the confidential information if:

• You give written authorization (permission);
• It is required by a law or by a court order;
• The information is being shared with other employees at the domestic violence program or another service provider only if necessary to provide services to you;
• You or someone else is at substantial risk of immediate and serious physical injury, the information can be shared with the Metropolitan Police Department or other law enforcement agency to the extent necessary to protect the person at risk;
• The information is used for statistics or research but only without giving any personal identifying information (such as your name, social security number, etc); or
• If the information is relevant to defend against a lawsuit if you sue the domestic violence counselor or program.**

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