The client has a right to choose to live at risk of harm, providing he/she is capable of making that choice, harms no one and commits no crime.

The client has a right to personal choices and decisions until such time that he/she delegates or the court grants the responsibility to someone else.

The client has a right to receive information to make informed decisions and to participate in all decision-making affecting his/her circumstances to the extent that he/she is able.

The client has a right to service alternatives that maximize choice and minimize lifestyle disruption.

The case manager has a responsibility to serve the client, not the community concerned about safety or landlord concerned about crime or family finances.

The client has a right to privacy and secrecy.

If there is evidence that the client is making a reasoned choice, the case manager has a responsibility to see that the benefit of doubt is in his/her favor.

The worker has a responsibility to take no action that places the client at greater risk of harm.

The case manager has a responsibility to understand the origins of any maltreatment and commit no action that will antagonize the perpetrator and so reduce the chances of terminating the maltreatment.

The case manager has a responsibility to deal with the maltreatment as a family problem, if the perpetrator is a family member, and give the family the necessary services to resolve the problem.

Source: G.J. Anetzberger, Ethical Issues (May 1988) (with permission)