What principle of ethics emphasizes fairness and equality?

The principle of ethics that emphasizes fairness and equality is nondiscrimination. This principle focuses on treating individuals with fairness, ensuring that all people have equal access to opportunities and resources without bias based on race, gender, age, or other characteristics. In the context of prevention work, nondiscrimination is vital for creating inclusive environments where diverse populations can receive support and services tailored to their needs.

Nondiscrimination also reinforces the broader ethical commitment to social justice, advocating for policies and practices that effectively address systemic inequalities and barriers that certain groups face. This principle is foundational to ensuring that prevention practices are equitable and just, thereby promoting positive outcomes across all community segments.

The other principles listed—competence, integrity, and confidentiality—while important to ethical practice, focus on aspects such as the professionals' abilities, honesty in their conduct, and the protection of individuals' private information, respectively. They do not specifically center on the ideas of fairness and equality the way nondiscrimination does.