This section defines terms used in the article, including confidential communication, victim, sexual assault, family violence, family or household members, victim counseling, victim counseling center, and victim counselor.
As used in this article, unless a contrary meaning is clearly intended from the context in which the term appears, the following terms have the respective meanings hereinafter set forth and indicated: (1) CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATION. Any information exchanged between a victim and a victim counselor in private or in the presence of a third party who is necessary to facilitate communication or further the counseling process and which is disclosed in the course of the counselor’s treatment of the victim for any emotional or psychological condition resulting from a sexual assault or family violence. (2) VICTIM. A person who consults a victim counselor for assistance in overcoming adverse emotional or psychological effects of a sexual assault or family violence. (3) SEXUAL ASSAULT. Any sexual offense enumerated in Sections 13A-6-60 through 13A-6-70. (4) FAMILY VIOLENCE. The occurrence of one or more of the following acts between family or household members: a. Attempting to cause or causing physical harm. b. Placing another in fear of imminent serious physical harm. (5) FAMILY or HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS. Children, spouses, former spouses, persons of the opposite sex living as spouses now or in the past, or persons 60 years of age or older living in the same household and related by blood or marriage. (6) VICTIM COUNSELING. Assessment, diagnosis, and treatment to alleviate the adverse emotional or psychological impact of a sexual assault or family violence on the victim. Victim counseling includes, but is not limited to, crisis intervention. (7) VICTIM COUNSELING CENTER. A private organization or unit of a government agency which has as one of its primary purposes the treatment of victims for any emotional or psychological condition resulting from a sexual assault or family violence. (8) VICTIM COUNSELOR. Any employee or supervised volunteer of a victim counseling center or other agency, business, or organization that provides counseling to victims who is not affiliated with a law enforcement agency or a prosecutor’s office and whose duties include treating victims for any emotional or psychological condition resulting from a sexual assault or family violence.