CAP TIP #10 To Improve Public Awareness Consent to Video- or Audio-Tape Individuals & Audiences Introduction Since a significant goal of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and Community Awareness – Projects is to promote victim awareness and public education about victims’ rights and services, – many organizations sponsor events that are documented in audio, video or online formats to increase the number of people who will hear the important messages related to the NCVRW theme and the need for victim/survivor services and victims’ rights. While this type of expanded outreach is admirable, it also requires obtaining consent from people whose images, comments and/or presentations may be used. Keep in mind that all NCVRW CAP subgrantees have agreed any project activity or “that event that involves the identification of an individual crime victim(s) must have the victim’s or, in the event of a death, a family member’s informed consent.” [NCVRW CAP Subgrant Award Agreement] While this CAP TIP does not provide formal, legal advice, it provides some basic information and guidance to help you ensure that victims and survivors are aware of and consent to their role in your NCVRW CAP events and activities. Victims, Survivors and Consent It is particularly important that crime victims and survivors, many of whom agree to be public speakers, panelists, hosts or take on other NCVRW event responsibilities that will put them the “in public eye” knowingly consent to their involvement. As the need to always respect victim autonomy and decision-making is a core ethical consideration of victim services, it is essential that survivors who speak or act on behalf of your agency or organization are aware of what this commitment entails and if/how their image, likeness and/or words will be used. When you engage crime victims and survivors to speak at your NCVRW events, it’s important to provide them in advance with basic information about: The goal(s) of your event Any guidance or expectations specific to presentation Who will be attending Whether or not the news media are invited or have confirmed to attend, and may be requesting interviews with them or audio-/video-taping them Whether or not their presentation will be documented in audio-, video- or online format(s), and specifically how such footage will be used, for example:
CAP TIP #10 To Improve Public Awareness Consent to Video- or Audio-Tape Individuals & Audiences Introduction Since a significant goal of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week – and Community Awareness Projects – is to promote victim awareness and public education about victims’ rights and services, many organizations sponsor events that are documented in audio, video or online formats to increase the number of people who will hear the important messages related to the NCVRW theme and the need for victim/survivor services and victims’ rights. While this type of expanded outreach is admirable, it also requires obtaining consent from people whose images, comments and/or presentations may be used. Keep in mind that all NCVRW CAP subgrantees have agreed “that any project activity or event that involves the identification of an individual crime victim(s) must have the victim’s or, in the event of a death, a family member’s informed consent.” [NCVRW CAP Subgrant Award Agreement] While this CAP TIP does not provide formal, legal advice, it provides some basic information and guidance to help you ensure that victims and survivors are aware of and consent to their role in your NCVRW CAP events and activities. Victims, Survivors and Consent It is particularly important that crime victims and survivors, many of whom agree to be public speakers, panelists, hosts or take on other NCVRW event responsibilities that will put them “in the public eye” knowingly consent to their involvement. As the need to always respect victim autonomy and decision-making is a core ethical consideration of victim services, it is essential that survivors who speak or act on behalf of your agency or organization are aware of what this commitment entails and if/how their image, likeness and/or words will be used. When you engage crime victims and survivors to speak at your NCVRW events, it’s important to provide them in advance with basic information about: The goal(s) of your event Any guidance or expectations specific to presentation Who will be attending Whether or not the news media are invited or have confirmed to attend, and may be requesting interviews with them or audio-/video-taping them Whether or not their presentation will be documented in audio-, video- or online format(s), and specifically how such footage will be used, for example: