What should be avoided when handling victim information to prevent harm?

• A. Sharing non-PII
• B. Breaches of confidentiality, privacy violations, exploitation
• C. Keeping strict access
• D. Getting consent

Answer: (B)

Protecting victim information hinges on avoiding actions that directly put the victim at risk. Breaches of confidentiality, privacy violations, and exploitation are the real harm to prevent. When details about a victim are shared with people who don’t have a legitimate need to know, or when private information is disclosed, it can expose the person to safety risks, retaliation, stigma, or manipulation. This erodes trust in the investigative process and can deter victims from seeking help or cooperating.

Confidentiality means only sharing information with those who have a legitimate need and within the bounds of law and policy. Privacy violations involve handling sensitive data in ways that intrude on the victim’s personal life or reveal intimate details without proper justification. Exploitation occurs when information is used for personal gain, coercion, or other manipulative purposes, which is both unethical and harmful.

To prevent harm, practice strict access controls, minimize data collection to what’s necessary, de-identify data when possible, obtain consent when appropriate, and ensure any disclosures are lawful and tightly limited to need-to-know.

Sharing non-personally identifying information is typically safe, and using protective measures like strict access and obtaining consent are ways to reduce risk rather than things to avoid.