Crime Victim Support Center

This case involves the Crime Victim Support Center (CVSC), a nonprofit organization that helps the victims of crime by acting as an advocate for their interests. It examines client conflict of interest that develops when a caseworker at the agency, Laura Green, must decide whether to represent separately an estranged mother and father who are seeking resolution concerning the death of their son. Lacking a definitive policy directive from the organization, the caseworker must decide how to balance the best interests of both her clients and the organization she represents. Working with her supervisor, the caseworker attempts to navigate this uncharted territory and reach a resolution that is satisfactory to all involved parties.

Main Topic

Decision making

Secondary Topics

Ethics, Bureaucracy and structure

Teaching Purpose

To explore the ethical dilemmas in resolving a case of competing client interests; and to discuss organizational decision making and nonprofit administration.

The Organization

The Crime Victims Support Center (CVSC) is a nonprofit organization that helps the victims of crime by acting as an advocate for their interests.

Main Characters

Laura Green, Victims Advocate

Christine Hayden, Executive Director

John and Catherine Taft, Clients