Consent & ethics

love is respect's purpose is to engage, educate, and empower young people to prevent and end abusive relationships.

As a project of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, our success depends on everyone affiliated with the organization (including volunteers, staff, board members, and representatives) embracing and practicing our values in action.

We’re committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in our work to retain the confidence of every person who contacts us, as well as the trust and commitment of the many supporters who make our work possible.

The Hotline’s code of consent & ethics is composed of:

Trust & credibility

The success of our mission depends on the trust we earn from survivors and other contacts to The Hotline, our employees, funders, and the general public. We gain credibility by adhering to our commitments, displaying honesty and integrity, and reaching our organizational goals without compromising our honor. We strive to always meet the highest standards of quality, service, and integrity in working towards our mission, and to at all times communicate honestly, openly, and without misrepresentation.

Mutual respect

We all deserve to work with dignity and respect. The Hotline is committed to creating a healthy work environment that develops each of our fullest potentials, in the belief that doing so is essential to both our success as an organization and our integrity in the movement to end domestic violence.

Accountability

Every representative of The Hotline is responsible for knowing and adhering to the values and ethical standards set forth in this code, and for raising questions about any concerns or uncertainties regarding company policy. It’s our duty to promote good stewardship of The Hotline’s resources by maintaining accurate financial records, fully disclosing all relevant financial information, and refraining from using organizational resources for other purposes. To maintain your trust and credibility, we avoid any activity or outside interest which conflicts or appears to conflict with the best interest of The Hotline, and all employees, volunteers, and members of the board of directors must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest or business dealings with The Hotline.

Equal opportunity & inclusion

The Hotline is an equal opportunity employer committed to the principle and practice of inclusion. We value, champion, and embrace inclusion in every aspect of our work and services.

Observance of the law

The Hotline’s commitment to integrity and open communication depends on your safety. In order to facilitate clear expectations for you and your loved ones, our policy is to observe all laws, rules, and regulations where we offer our services. Further, we’re committed to ensuring that everyone who represents The Hotline has a deep understanding of the policies, laws, rules, and regulations that apply to our specific roles, and the ways in which those policies may impact your specific circumstances. If we’re unsure whether a proposed action is permitted by law or organizational policy, we seek answers from specialized experts, recognizing our responsibility to speak up against possible violations of the law.

Concerns about failures to meet these standards or violations of the Code should be made to the Human Resources department, Chief Executive Officer, or Chief Operating Officer. The Hotline takes seriously the standards set forth in this policy and violations are cause for corrective action up to and including termination of employment.