CONFIDENTIALITY
All information shared with staff at PWA is confidential. There are only a few exceptions to this rule.
- If it becomes apparent that you seriously intend to do harm to yourself or another person.
- If a child under the age of 16 is at risk of or is actually being harmed by another person or there is suspicion of a child and/or domestic violence.
- If a court of law presents us with a legal subpoena demanding your records.
Other than these rare exceptions, your information remains confidential, and we do not release any information without your written and expressed consent. This system is in place to ensure that issues are discussed, and services accessed at PWA remain confidential. It is, however, important for you to know that there are instances in which confidentiality is limited for PWA. For example, all volunteers, staff and board members receive specific training to ignore you should they encounter you in the community.
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
At PWA, we strive to be a healing and welcoming space; a space where everyone feels welcomed and safe, without fear of discrimination, intimidation or oppression. We all have a role to play in creating this healing and welcoming space.
Here are our rights and responsibilities that we all must follow while at PWA or at any PWA events:
RIGHTS
As community members, volunteers, staff, students and visitors, we have the right to:
- be treated with respect, kindness and dignity in a non-judgmental manner,
- be informed of available services at PWA or elsewhere,
- be meaningfully involved in our role within the community,
- confidentiality and knowing what it means at PWA.
RESPONSIBILITIES
As community members, volunteers, staff, students and visitors, we have the responsibility to:
- treat staff, volunteers, students, visitors and other community members with respect, kindness and dignity in a non-judgmental manner,
- let the right person know about any concerns,
- respect PWA spaces and their purpose, policy, procedures and guidelines,
- keep confidentiality about the personal identity and information of other community members, volunteers, students, staff or visitors.
RESPECT
As community members, volunteers, staff, students and visitors, we will not tolerate:
- disrespectful attitudes or actions such as homophobia, racism, sexism, transphobia or any other form of stigmatizing or discriminatory behaviour
- any violence, threats of violence, aggressive or intimidating behaviours towards ourselves or others.
As a community member, volunteer, student, staff or visitor at PWA, my failure to follow these rights and responsibilities may result in me being asked to leave and/or having other, restrictions at PWA. If I am asked to leave, I will do so respectfully and immediately.
