SW 203 Introduction to SW

Dr. Stephens

JJ SDG

Name: ____Kameron Rhone_________________________

Instructions: Use the handout on p. 2 to analyze this case study. You are to look at
the professional and personal dynamics in each of the spaces to critically evaluate
how to intervene in this scenario
Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work Practice Davis, Rhone
1. I had a 14 year old Hispanic girl on my caseload who was raped by her neighbor and became pregnant. Her mother did not
know she was pregnant until she delivered the child. After the investigation I found that the mother was in the U.S. illegally so
she did not want to press charges against the neighbor who had raped her daughter. Unfortunately the mother was working two
jobs so the girl was not supervised and she had to come home every day alone. She was afraid the neighbor would rape her
again. I started coming over to her house in the evenings to observe to see if she was safe. I eventually made an anonymous
telephone call to the police about the neighbor. Fortunately the neighbor was also illegal and when the police came to
investigate he went back to Mexico. The young girl and her mother were not investigated because I didnt tell the police who
had been raped.

SW 203 Introduction to SW
Dr. Stephens

JJ SDG

Table 1: Personal and Professional Ethics, Values and Morals

Professional
Personal
Ethics
Values
What relevant standards and expectations are outlined by my professional What relevant personal values apply in this case and where did they
code of ethics?
originate?
How do ethical principles conflict in this case?
What professional values are outline in the code of ethics and do any
of them apply in this case?
If ethical principles conflict, use an ethical decision making
process to resolve. (Note: there will always be ethical issues so be
If there is conflict between personal and professional values,
thorough)
how can I manage my personal values so that I allow my
professional ethics guide me?
Seek supervision, use self-reflection values clarification
process.
Laws and Policy

Morals

What if any legal obligations in this case?

How does my behavior affect relationships with others?

How do the agencys policies direct me? (Note: research this agency as
described in your case study to find an answer)

What would I like to do/or what would I want done to me in a

situation like this?

Are there any conflicts between my professions ethics and my legal

obligations or my agencys policies?

Legal obligations usually supersede professional ethics

Agency policies should not prevent the ethical practice of social
work.

Distinguish between personal and professional behavior and

obligations.

SW 203 Introduction to SW
Dr. Stephens

JJ SDG

(Note: you might want to seek supervision in both cases, if so

explain)

Diversity Questions:
What aspects of human diversity did you observe in your case-study?
What did you observe regarding the social construction of gender in your case-study?
How did you use critical thinking skills to appraise your racial self-awareness, cultural self-awareness, the treatment of intersex people
and people with various forms of gender expression, and the feminist perspective?

Answer sheet: (Please be thorough in your findings

Professional - Ethics

SW 203 Introduction to SW
Dr. Stephens

JJ SDG

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Personal - Values
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SW 203 Introduction to SW
Dr. Stephens

JJ SDG

Professional - Laws and Policy

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Personal - Morals
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Personal - Human Diversity:

SW 203 Introduction to SW
Dr. Stephens

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JJ SDG