Outside The Borders Inc
Outside The Borders Inc recognizes that privacy, confidentiality, and the protection of personal information are essential to the safety, dignity, and well-being of all individuals who interact with the organization.
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This policy applies to all participants, without exception, who engage with Outside The Borders Inc in any capacity.

1. Scope of the Policy - This policy applies to:

• Participants in all programs, including support groups, psychoeducational workshops, and community conversations
• Virtual and in-person participants
• Survivors of domestic violence, sexual abuse, and trauma
• Immigrants and individuals with vulnerable or mixed immigration status
• Donors, volunteers, facilitators, staff, and collaborators
• Visitors to the organization’s website
• Individuals who communicate with the organization via email, phone, messaging platforms, or virtual meeting platforms (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet)

2. Principles of Confidentiality - Outside The Borders Inc is committed to:

• Protecting all personal, sensitive, and confidential information
• Not disclosing participant information without explicit consent
• Never collecting or sharing immigration-status information
• Not recording group or individual sessions without prior consent
• Using secure and appropriate platforms for virtual services
• Applying trauma-informed and survivor-centered confidentiality practices

3. Information Collected - The organization may collect limited information necessary to provide services, including:

• Name, email address, and phone number
• Non-identifying demographic information
• Program participation information
• Voluntary surveys, evaluations, or feedback forms

Information is collectedsolely for organizational and service-related purposes.

4. Use and Protection of Information - Outside The Borders Inc:

• Doesnot sell, rent, or trade personal information
• Limits access to information to authorized personnel only
• Uses reasonable administrative and digital safeguards to protect data
• Retains information only for as long as necessary to fulfill programmatic and legal requirements

5. Limits of Confidentiality - Confidentiality may be breached only in the following circumstances:

• When there is an imminent risk of harm to the participant or others
• When disclosure is required by law or court order

Whenever possible, participants will be informed prior to any required disclosure.

6. GRIEVANCE AND COMPLAINT MECHANISM - Any participant, volunteer, or collaborator who believes that their privacy or confidentiality rights have been violated has the right to file a grievance without fear of retaliation.

How to File a GrievanceBy confidential email:
[email protected]
By phone:
412-434-7754
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Grievances may include, if the individual feels comfortable:

• A description of the incident
• The approximate date
• The program or service involved

Anonymous complaints will also be accepted.

Grievance Review Process

• All grievances will be received, documented, and reviewed confidentially
• An internal review will be conducted promptly
• Corrective actions will be taken when appropriate
• Individuals filing grievances will not face retaliation

7. Participant Rights - All participants have the right to:

• Access their personal information
• Request corrections or updates
• Request deletion of their information when applicable
• Withdraw consent at any time
• File grievances safely and confidentially

8. Policy Updates - This policy is reviewed periodically and updated as necessary.