What kind of policies do shelters and agencies have regarding confidentiality? Will my parents know what I talk to the staff about?
Generally speaking, people working for federal- and state-funded organizations are required to keep information about you confidential. The only exceptions are when there is a disclosure of child abuse, or when you are a danger to yourself or to others. In those cases, the person you talked to will share only enough information to ensure your safety or the safety of the person who was threatened. Otherwise, staff members should not share information about you without your permission. However, keep in mind that this is not true for every organization. If you are unsure about what information will be kept confidential, ask about the policy before you tell a staff member anything you wouldn’t want others to know. If you see a Safe Zone sign in someone’s office, that person should be safe to talk to and should respect your privacy. But, it is still a good idea to ask before you disclose any information you want kept confidential.
