ICDVP Cultural Competence & Ethical Practices 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A survivor from a collectivist culture refuses to involve police because it would shame her family. The culturally competent response is to:
- Explain that her family's feelings are less important than her safety
- Respect her decision while exploring safety planning options that align with her values (Correct answer)
- Document that she is non-compliant and refer to another agency
- Contact her family directly to explain the seriousness of the situation
Correct answer: Respect her decision while exploring safety planning options that align with her values
Cultural competence requires respecting the survivor's autonomy and worldview while still offering safety-focused support.
Question 2: Which ethical principle requires a DV advocate to keep a survivor's information confidential even when family members ask for updates?
- Beneficence
- Non-maleficence
- Confidentiality and privacy (Correct answer)
- Justice
Correct answer: Confidentiality and privacy
Confidentiality protects survivors from further harm and maintains trust in the advocate-survivor relationship.
Question 3: An advocate notices that her personal religious beliefs conflict with a survivor's lifestyle choices. The ethical obligation is to:
- Refer the survivor to a faith-based program that shares the advocate's values
- Set aside personal beliefs and provide non-judgmental, survivor-centered services (Correct answer)
- Inform the survivor of the advocate's beliefs so the survivor can decide whether to continue
- Seek supervisory permission before working with the survivor
Correct answer: Set aside personal beliefs and provide non-judgmental, survivor-centered services
Advocates must provide non-judgmental services regardless of personal moral or religious views.
Question 4: When working with an LGBTQ+ survivor of domestic violence, culturally competent practice includes:
- Assuming relationship dynamics mirror heterosexual abuse patterns
- Using the survivor's preferred pronouns and recognizing that same-sex relationships can involve abuse (Correct answer)
- Focusing only on physical violence since emotional abuse is harder to document
- Advising the survivor to disclose their identity before accessing shelter
Correct answer: Using the survivor's preferred pronouns and recognizing that same-sex relationships can involve abuse
LGBTQ+ survivors deserve affirming care that acknowledges their identity and the full spectrum of abusive behaviors.
Question 5: An advocate learns that a survivor is undocumented. The ethically appropriate action is to:
- Report the survivor's status to immigration authorities to ensure her long-term safety
- Provide services equally and share information about immigration legal resources (Correct answer)
- Decline services until the survivor's legal status is clarified
- Contact the employer named by the survivor to verify work eligibility
Correct answer: Provide services equally and share information about immigration legal resources
DV advocates serve all survivors regardless of immigration status and should connect them to relevant legal resources.
Question 6: Cultural humility differs from cultural competence primarily because cultural humility:
- Requires memorizing facts about specific ethnic groups
- Is a one-time training certification
- Involves ongoing self-reflection and acknowledging the limits of one's cultural knowledge (Correct answer)
- Focuses only on language translation services
Correct answer: Involves ongoing self-reflection and acknowledging the limits of one's cultural knowledge
Cultural humility is a lifelong practice of self-awareness and openness rather than a fixed knowledge base.
Question 7: A survivor declines a safety plan because her faith teaches that divorce is forbidden. The advocate should:
- Provide information about safety options while respecting her spiritual beliefs and right to make her own decisions (Correct answer)
- Arrange a meeting with a religious leader to challenge her beliefs
- Document refusal of services and close the case
- Inform child protective services immediately since her children may be at risk
Correct answer: Provide information about safety options while respecting her spiritual beliefs and right to make her own decisions
Advocates honor survivor autonomy and can offer safety information without requiring adherence to any particular plan.
ICDVP Cultural Competence & Ethical Practices 2
A survivor from a collectivist culture refuses to involve police because it would shame her family.
The culturally competent response is to: