Maria conducted an evaluation for a domestic violence program and found that the interventions may be harmful as some of the clients reported more violence during and after participating in the program. One client claimed that the clinician encouraged her to immediately leave her partner, and as a result she is reportedly being stalked and receiving threats from her partner. Ethically, how can Maria help this client?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

As an evaluator, Maria's role is to provide feedback and recommendations to improve the program, but her primary responsibility should be toward the client's safety and well-being. Providing the client with access to support services such as counseling, legal aid, or a safe shelter is a crucial step to ensure the client's safety. Contacting the program's administrators and sharing the client's experience can also be helpful to promote changes in the program's policies. However, confronting the client's partner may put the client in further danger and is not the role of the evaluator. Doing nothing is not an option since it violates the evaluator's responsibility to protect the client's welfare.

Maria Conducted an Evaluation for a Domestic Violence Program and Found