Journal of Social Work Values & Ethics

BOUNDARIES IN SOCIAL WORK: THE ETHICAL DILEMMA OF SOCIAL WORKER-CLIENT SEXUAL RELATIONSHIPS

Susan Hutchinson Mittendorf, Ph.D. and Julie Schroeder, Ph.D
Louisiana State University School of Social Work

Abstract

This article reports the results of an exploratory study examining social workers’ attitudes and beliefs about sexual involvement with clients and their knowledge of the prevalence of this behavior as reported to them by their clients.  It also presents an historical perspective for discussing previous research documenting the incidence of this unethical behavior and offers policy implications that address prevention of social worker misconduct.  

SOCIAL WORKERS AND THE WITNESS ROLE:
ETHICS, LAWS, AND ROLES

Susan Sarnoff, MSW, DSW, Assistant Professor, Ohio University, Department of Social Work, Morton Hall 522, Athens, Ohio 45701, 740.593.1301/telephone, 740.593.1301/fax, sarnoff@ohio.edu

Abstract

Social workers have increasingly gained acceptance as expert witnesses over the past two decades, although they have long informed the court about cases in which they were involved. To serve their clients and communities effectively, social workers must keep abreast of the often changing laws and ethics of the witness role. This article clarifies the differences among the various witnessing roles that social workers assume, explores the ethical and legal requirements for performing those roles, and discusses recent changes in standards of evidence accepted at the federal level.

ETHICS FORUM: ETHICAL STANDARDS FOR JOURNALS

Commentary by
Joel Fischer, University of Hawaii, School of Social Work, 1800 East-West Road, Honolulu, HI 96822 and Charles Mueller, University of Hawaii, Department of Psychology, Honolulu, HI, 96822

ABSTRACT

Discusses a number of issues related to publication lag and violations by journals of social work ethical principles. Develops several recommendations for remediation, and invites readers and journal editors to engage in a dialogue.

Book Review

Reichert, E. (2003). Social Work and Human Rights: A Foundation for Policy and Practice. New York: Columbia University Press.  250 pages plus appendices, $24.50 paper, $62.00 cloth.

Elizabeth Reichert, Diplom Sozialarbeiterin (Manheim, Germany), MSSW, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. She has extensive clinical experience in child welfare and has worked internationally in social development. Her teaching areas are child welfare practice, social policy, and international social work, including study abroad courses. She has authored numerous articles on human rights, international social work, and child welfare. This is her first book.

A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PRACTITIONERS AND STUDENTS IN THE UNDERSTANDING OF SEXUAL ETHICS

Gloria Duran Aguilar, Florida A&M University; Carol J. Williams, Kean University; Jim Akin, Florida Chapter, National Association of Social Workers

Abstract

Social work practitioners and social work students in one state were surveyed to assess their attitudes about the appropriateness of sexual contact with clients, handling of colleagues who engage in sexual misconduct, and the extent of educational preparation in their programs on sexual ethics.  Both groups were found to be critical of sexual contact between social workers and clients.  Practitioners were more likely to report incidents to supervisors, licensing boards, NASW, or appropriate authorities.  However, students were more likely than practitioners to report having sexual ethics content in their educational training.  Results seem to indicate the importance of continued education in this area for social work practitioners and students.