WWVOVOVBVYOVVBVVOSVUVVSSOUU TEV ZVVVDZZZZZICVET: _——————— pom approaches, principle ethics and virtue ethics, have much to offer as we struggle with ethical issues. Who we are and what we do are equally important considerations in ethical decision making. Enforcement of the AGA Code of Ethies All ACA members are required to adhere to the ACA Code of Ethics, which serves as the basis for processing complaints of ethical violations against members, The ACA Ethics Committee is responsible for adjudicating cO°> plaints, Because this hspect ofthe committee's work is strictly confident}, many ACA members may not be aware of how the committee performs this function. The process of dealing with complaints of unethical bebav, ior is briefly described here. The complete document, ACA Policies and Procedures for Processing Complaints of Ethical Violations (2008), is available on the ACA Web site (www.counseling.org)- Dealing With Complaints ‘The Ethics Committee will consider a complaint if the individual who is the subject of the complaint is a current member of ACA or was a member when the alleged violation(s) occurred. The committee has no jurisdic~ tion over nonmembers; thus, those who file complaints against nonmem- bers are advised of alternative avenues for addressing their complaints. if any legal action is filed after a complaint has been accepted, all Ethics Cornmittee actions are stayed until the legal action has been concluded. ‘The Ethics Committee does not act on anonymous complaints. Only written complaints, signed by complainants, are considered. Any individu als who have reason to believe that ACA members have violated the Code may initiate complaints. Tf you believe that an AGA member has acted or is acting unethically, you have an ethical responsiblity to take action (H.2.2.). Your fist step sould be to try “to resolve the issue informally with the other counselor if feasible, provided such action does not violate confidentiality rights that nay be involved (H.2.b.). If informal resolution is not feasible or if it is ittempted without success, you should write a letter to the Ethics Commit: tee outlining the nature of the complaint, sign it, and send it in an enve- Jope marked “confidential.” You will receive aformal complaint form identi- fing the ACA ethical standards that may have been violated if the accusa- tons are true. You are asked to sign the complaint (or suggest modifications if needed) and a release-ofinformation form. With your authorization, the accused member then receives copies of the formal complaint and any evi- dence or documents you have submitted in support of the complaint. “After the accused member has responded to the charges and all perti- nent materials have been gathered, the Ethics Committee deliberates and decides on the complaint. Each complaint is given the most careful con- sideration, Most complaints are complex, alleging violations of multiple standards and often including a consid