Client Rights

Clients have the right to:

• Be treated with dignity and respect.
• Be informed regarding the scope and availability of services.
• Have their personal convictions, identities, and cultural beliefs honored and taken into consideration as they are seeking/utilizing services. MSU Safe Place Shelter does not discriminate against anyone because of their race, color, gender, age, disability status, socio-economic class, height, weight, national origin, political persuasion, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, ethnicity, culture, religion, immigration status, geographic location, or marital status. The personal convictions, identities, and cultural beliefs of staff will not adversely affect the provision of
• MSU Safe Place Shelter services.
• Receive services in a clean, safe, affirming environment free from any type of abuse.
• Be provided with referrals, or receive other Safe Place Shelter assistance, if they are no longer eligible for certain services.
• Follow a grievance procedure if they believe they have been treated unfairly for any reason, without worrying that doing so will affect receipt of future services.

Clients have the right to:

• Quality services and care from properly trained staff.
• Ask questions about Safe Place Shelter staff qualifications, training, and professional experience.
• Make their own decisions about which services they wish to receive, based on program eligibility.
• Request a transfer from one counselor or advocate to another within Center for Survivors when possible.
• Discontinue services at any time, for any reason.

Clients have the right to:

• Confidentiality regarding what they share with MSU Safe Place Shelter staff. Please know that information shared with one staff member is often shared with some or all program staff.
• Information will not be released outside of the MSU Center for Survivors program, except for factors outlined in our
• Confidentiality Policy, which is signed by all clients prior to receiving services.

Clients have the right to:

• Access information in their MSU Safe Place Shelter file.
• Insert information into their client record to correct or amend information they believe is inaccurate.