CODE OF ETHICS FOR MEMBERS OF NACS WORKING AS SEXOLOGISTS The purpose of these ethical rules is to define the general principles and to establish standards for professionals working with sex therapy, sex counselling, sex education and sex research and to inform and protect members of the public who seek their services. It does not supplant codes of ethics of other organizations to which the sexologist may belong, but is intended to be supplemental.

ETHICAL PRINCIPALS a) The sexologist is responsible for maintaining high professional and human standards of care at all times and in interaction with all clients b) The sexologist must be aware of the clients dependency and his/her own power in the therapeutic relationship and never exploit this situation for his/her own purposes in any ways.

c) The sexologist must always respect the dignity, the autonomy and the ultimate right to self-determination of the client.

RULES OF ETHICS C OMPETENCE 1) It is the responsibility of the sexologist to maintain professional competence by current education inclusive adequate supervision, keeping himself/herself acquainted with actual standards and new developments of the profession. The sexologist must recognize his/her own limitations and be ready in due case to refer the client to another therapist.

T HE SEXOLOGIST - CLIENT RELATIONSHIP 2) All clients should be treated with the same professional solcitude, without any discrimination with regard to origin, status, race, gender, age, beliefs, sexual orientation and disability.

3) Sexologist must not abuse the client- sexologist relationship financially, sexually, emotionally or in any other way. It is not acceptable for a sexologist to have sexual relationship with any client. This principel is also applicable to former clients.

P HYSICAL CONTACT 4) Examination and therapeutic procedures involving physical contact must only be performed by someone specifically trained for such procedures and the purpose and nature should beforehand be clarified with the client.

C ONFIDENTIALITY 5) The very existence of a sexologist-client relationship and all information exchanged between sexologist and client is confidential unless anything else is stipulated between the sexologist and the client.

6) If the sexologist has any personal, legal, or practical limits of confidentiality, these limits must be discussed with the client before the examination/therapy or as soon as possible. In rare cases of possible imminent danger to the life or safety of an individual it may be permissible for the sexologist to make disclosures to other persons or public authorities without the consent of the client.

7) Apart from this special situation all information from the sexologist to private or professional persons or public authorities about identified client presupposes the consent of the client and the client’s right to be acquainted with the report. When only one pert partner of a client couple consents

G UIDING E THICAL P RINCIPLES WAS Autonomy Benefience Non-Malfeasance Justice

P RINCIPLE 1: Sexologists shall have appropriate professional preparation and maintain an ongoing commitment to continuing education.

P RINCIPLE 2: Sexologists must operate only within their area of professional expertise and competecy

P RINCIPLE 3: Sexologists should inform clients, patients and research participants of their professional qualifications and affiliations.

P RINCIPLE 4: Sexologists should uphold and enhance the integrity of the profession.

P RINCIPLE 5: When available, Sexologists should engage in science-based practice.

P RINCIPLE 6: Sexologists have a responsibility to maintain and enhance the knowledge, health and welfare of their communities

P RINCIPLE 7: Sexologists should exercise respect for colleagues.

P RINCIPLE 8: Sexologists shall not breach the professional relationship

P RINCIPLE 9: The sexologist shall respect and uphold the autonomy and dignity of those receiving their professional services.

P RINCIPLE 10: The sexologist shall maintain professional confidentiality.

P RINCIPLE 11: Where appropriate, the Sexologist should obtain informed consent

P RINCIPLE 12: Sexologists will maintain appropriate records.

P RINCIPLE 13: Sexologists will provide information on their fee schedule to potential clients.

P RINCIPLE 14: Sexologists shall employ recognized research protocols.

P RINCIPLE 15: Sexologists shall employ recognized protocols in the use of human research subjects.

P RINCIPLE 16: Sexologists shall employ recognized protocols in the use of animal research subjects.

P RINCIPLE 17: Sexologists shall utilize peer review to evaluate their work.

P RINCIPLE 18: Sexologists have an obligation to provide support for, or to conduct research and to disseminate findings.