Rape Crisis Counselor Privilege

Privilege against disclosure of records and notes afforded by some states to professionals who give victims of sexual assault counseling and emotional support. The privilege is usually available in both civil and criminal proceedings. N.J.S.A. 2A:84A-22.13 et seq. Where it has been adopted, its availability represents a judgment that the confidentiality of a rape victim and a rape crisis counselor is sufficiently important to justify limiting the right of criminal defendants to confront the witnesses against them under the Sixth Amendment. See 428 A. 2d 126; Women's Rights Law Reporter vol. 8:1 (1984).