Privacy and Confidentiality Policy

​

NIOHDC volunteers created the NIOHDC Peer Channel to provide members of the DC-area theater community who have encountered unsafe practices and abuse a safe space for confidential peer support and access to resources and referrals. This confidential channel is staffed by an intake committee of volunteers who are committed to respecting your privacy.  

 

This Policy explains our practices regarding your personal information and the conditions for using the Peer Channel. By using this service, you acknowledge and agree to these terms and conditions and consent to these practices.

 

Information Collected

 

We only collect information you voluntarily give us through the use of this service such as information you provide on the intake form or during a session with an intake volunteer. This may include the collection of personal information including information that could reasonably be used to identify you. We will not record via audio or video technologies any session and you agree to do the same.

 

You have the option of using a pseudonym and alternative contact information that will provide additional privacy protections such as the use of a new email address, temporary “burner” phone number, or private phone number app or services like Google voice that can mask your actual cell phone number.   

 

We are bound by the terms and conditions of Google’s Privacy Policy through our use of Google services such as Google Forms for the Peer Channel. By using this service, you acknowledge and agree to this practice. Google’s Privacy Policy is found here: https://policies.google.com/privacy.  

 

Purpose of Collection

​

We will use your personal information to provide you services through [Peer Channel].  This may include communicating with you to address needs you identify or to develop an action plan with you.

 

Disclosure of Personal Information

 

Your personal information may be shared if you give us written permission to do so. 

 

In DC communications with physicians, mental health providers, licensed social workers, rape crisis counselors, domestic abuse counselors, sexual abuse counselors, sexual assault victim advocates, and human trafficking counselors receive special treatment and provide certain protections that limit disclosures of confidential information. NIOHDC volunteers can provide referrals for these resources and professionals, but none of our intake committee members fall in any of these categories.

 

We take your privacy and confidentiality seriously, but you acknowledge and agree that we may use your personal information to:

• Comply with an obligation required by law or arising from a court or administrative proceeding including responding to subpoenas in a civil case

• Report to the appropriate authorities information involving threats or danger or serious harm to you or others or suspected abuse of a minor.

• Enforce these terms and conditions or protect the rights or safety of our volunteers or other Peer Channel users.

This also includes sharing your personal information based upon a good faith belief that it is necessary to accomplish any of these circumstances.

 

Finally, the personal information you provide on the intake form will be accessible to all members of the NIOHDC Peer Channel intake committee. If you have concerns about someone on the intake committee, you may specify on the intake form that only certain other intake volunteers may contact you and also use a pseudonym. Notifying the volunteer who contacts you of the issue will allow us to take steps to shield your information from that individual, which may include having the member step down from the committee and refrain from further NIOHDC activities.

 

Security of Personal Information

 

Appropriate safeguards are used to protect personal identifying information and the information provided through the use of the Peer Channel services. However, even reasonable precautions cannot guarantee the security, privacy, and confidentiality of your personal information.  We will promptly notify you in event of a data breach, unauthorized access, or inadvertent release of your personal information.  However, you should also take steps to limit the nature of the information you voluntarily provide or use the privacy measures identifying above (e.g., use of a pseudonym) if a data breach will result in potential harm to you.  

 

Limitation of Liability

 

You assume any risk for use of the [Peer Channel]. Neither NIOHDC nor any of our volunteers, intake committee members, agent or other entities affiliated with NIOHDC shall have any liability for or in connection with your use of this service or any actions taken or not taken by you or a third party, during, after, or as a result of your use of the Peer Channel.

 

Data Retention

 

It is our practice not to store personal information longer than needed. After you have finished using Peer Channel services, we will take steps to delete your personal information within a reasonable time. We may retain contact information for a longer period of time to ensure we can appropriately respond to any unforeseen legal obligations. We may also store information in an aggregated and anonymized format for statistical purposes or to assist with improving the Peer Channel service. 

​

Information Relating to Minors 

 

This service is not directed at minors under the age of 18 nor may anyone under the age of 18 use the Peer Channel. By using the Peer Channel, you acknowledge that you meet this age requirement. Additionally, is our policy not to collect or retain any information about minors.  You agree not to provide information about any minor including on the intake form or in a session with a volunteer. 

 

Notice of Policy Changes

 

We reserve the right to modify this policy in light of new developments such as changes in services or the law.  Policy updates will be posted here and will be effective from the date posted. 

 

Governing Law

 

This Policy and the NIOHDC Peer Channel services are governed in all respects by the laws of the District of Columbia and any dispute shall be resolved solely in the courts located in the District of Columbia.

​

Contact

 

Questions, comments, and requests regarding this policy are welcomed and should be addressed to NotInOurHouseDC@gmail.com.