There’s no doubt: stories are powerful. In the non-profit sector, they help people outside of the work understand its impact, inspire community support, and bring complex issues to life. They put a face to the work, particularly when it’s a client’s story. But the same thing that makes stories like this so compelling is what makes sharing them sensitive: there’s a real person behind the story. At the center of every story is a person who deserves dignity, privacy, and control over how their experiences are shared.
Client consent isn’t just a formality at FSGV. It’s a cornerstone of providing ethical, values-driven service. In the same way medical data should be protected, we’re adamant about protecting people’s privacy and autonomy. Details of client experiences are not something any of us are entitled to. There’s no exchange required, and we don’t want clients to feel pressured to share, particularly the more sensitive parts of their stories. Clients, their dignity and safety, are our priority.
Family Services of Greater Vancouver works with people navigating crisis, traumas, and other vulnerable circumstances; children and youth, people with disabilities and mental health conditions, newcomers and refugees, individuals and families living in poverty, and more. Sharing their stories without clear, informed consent can unintentionally cause harm – from emotional distress and re-traumatization to social stigma and even safety risks. In practice, this means we share fewer client stories.
Our high standards around consent protect clients. At FSGV, our definition of informed consent means individuals understand what information will be shared, where it will appear, how long it will remain public, and that they have the right to decline without any impact on the services they receive. In fact, exploitative dynamics are often familiar to our clients which makes it all the more vital that we help break this cycle of exploitative relationships. There are no strings attached here. Our philosophy surrounding client stories isn’t just about risk management. Fundamentally, it’s about respect. This is service delivery, with uncompromised integrity.
When we ask for permission thoughtfully and transparently, we treat people as people rather than as marketing and fundraising tools. This approach is about trust, both building and maintaining it. We are committed to our storytelling being rooted in empowerment, rather than exploitation. We’re invested in people’s long term, future wellbeing, not just the immediate fundraising appeal.
Client consent is all about honouring the humanity of the people we work with. It’s the foundation of the work we do, from direct service delivery all the way through to our communications and fundraising practices. We will always respect the person behind the story; their dignity comes first.