Can a minor consent to confidential rape crisis counseling?
Yes. The New York statute governing rape crisis counseling defines the rape crisis client without regard to age: “any person who is seeking or receiving the services of a rape crisis counselor for the purpose of securing counseling or assistance concerning any sexual offenses, sexual abuse, incest or attempts to commit sexual offenses, sexual abuse, or incest, as defined in the penal law.” [[20] 20] Communications made by all rape crisis clients to a rape crisis counselor are confidential, and may not be disclosed without the consent of the client, unless otherwise required by law. [[21] 21] Therefore, minors can consent to rape crisis counseling without parental consent or notification, and it must be kept confidential. Note that these laws refer to communications made to certified rape crisis counselors who work in conjunction with state-approved rape crisis programs. [[22] 22] Other mental health counselors, such as social workers and psychologists, are independently bound by confid
