SCARS Institute Ethics, Best Practices, and Standards

At its core, the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc. is committed to advancing the professionalization of crime victim assistance and establishing ethical standards for those who advocate for and assist victims of cybercrime, scams, and financial fraud.

The Professional Advocate’s Goal

Victim advocacy professionals empower survivors of crime through ethical practices that promote safety, healing, justice, and victims’ rights.

As with every profession rooted in service and community, crime victim advocacy depends upon core values that guide and unite the professionals who dedicate themselves to this work. These values establish the foundation for responsible conduct, professional accountability, and compassionate assistance.

Why Ethical Standards Matter in Crime Victim Assistance and Advocacy

Ethical standards are essential to the profession of crime victim assistance and advocacy for several important reasons:

Protecting the Rights and Dignity of Victims: Crime victims frequently experience vulnerability and emotional distress, making them susceptible to exploitation, manipulation, and further harm. Ethical standards ensure that their rights are respected, their dignity is preserved, and their experiences are handled with sensitivity and compassion.
Maintaining Trust and Confidentiality: Crime victims entrust advocates with personal information, including sensitive details about their experiences and the effects of the crime. Ethical standards require advocates to protect this information, maintain appropriate confidentiality, and use the information only for legitimate assistance and advocacy purposes.
Promoting Effective Advocacy and Support: Ethical standards guide advocates in providing competent, informed, objective, and unbiased assistance. Advocates must possess the necessary knowledge and skills, remain objective in their assessments, and provide victims with accurate and current information.
Providing Objective Victim Referrals: No single organization can care for, support, or assist every victim. Recognizing the limits of professional capability, organizational resources, and appropriate boundaries of care is as important as delivering competent services. When an organization cannot provide the assistance a victim needs, advocates should offer appropriate referrals or alternative service options.
Preventing Conflicts of Interest and Misconduct: Ethical standards establish clear professional boundaries and guidelines that help prevent conflicts of interest, exploitation, and misconduct. These protections preserve the integrity of the profession and reduce the risk of victims experiencing additional harm.
Strengthening Professional Accountability and Credibility: Adherence to ethical standards creates a culture of professionalism and accountability among advocates. This commitment strengthens the credibility of the profession and builds confidence in the services provided to crime victims.
Preserving the Integrity of the Advocacy Process: Ethical standards protect the integrity of victim advocacy by ensuring that victims receive fair, impartial, and responsible representation. This responsibility becomes particularly important during legal proceedings in which advocates assist victims or represent their interests before the court.
Advancing Social Justice and Victim Empowerment: Ethical standards reflect the broader principles of social justice and victim empowerment. Advocates who uphold these standards protect victims’ rights, promote their well-being, and contribute to a more just and equitable society.

Ethical standards are not merely aspirational principles. They are essential professional requirements that safeguard the rights, dignity, privacy, safety, and well-being of scam victims. By adhering to these standards, SCARS Institute advocates provide responsible assistance and services, support victim empowerment, promote justice, and preserve the integrity of the crime victim assistance profession.

Our SCARS Ethics & Standards

SCARS is guided and grounded in these principles.