What is an advocate and how do they help?
Advocates are trained professionals who provide support to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. These trained persons give information, empathy, and look for help or put victims in touch with resources, such as social services, medical care, counseling, aid in police reports and other paperwork. In some cases, advocates go to court with victims.
Some advocates staff crisis hotlines, run support groups, or provide in-person counseling. Victim advocates may also be called victim service providers, victim/witness coordinators, or victim/witness specialists, according to the National Center for Victims of Crime.
Roles and Training
The roles and responsibilities of victim advocates vary, depending on job description and where they are employed. Victim advocates can:
• Provide information on victimization;
• Provide information on crime prevention;
• Provide information on victims’ legal rights and protections;
• Provide information on the criminal justice process;
• Provide emotional support to victims;
• Help victims with safety planning;
• Help victims with victim compensation applications;
• Help victims submit comments to courts and parole boards;
• Intervene with creditors, landlords, and employers on behalf of victims;
• Help victims find shelter and transportation;
• Provide referrals for other services for victims; Helping to arrange funerals; and
• Notify victims of inmates’ release or escape.
How Advocates Work with Victims
Advocates offer victims information about the options available and support victims’ decision-making. Advocates do not tell victims what to do. Advocates are committed to maintaining the highest possible levels of confidentiality in their communications with victims. However, the level of confidentiality they can observe depends on their position, education, licensure and the laws in that tribal community. For example, an advocate in a police department may have to share any information related to an investigation with officers. Yet an advocate at a domestic violence program may be able to keep most victims’ confidences private.
However, all advocates must report certain types of information to the authorities. For example, they have to report any type of threat to a person (such as clients threatening to hurt themselves or someone else), and they have to report the abuse or neglect of children. It is important for victims to ask about confidentiality rules before they begin working with an advocate.
Some advocates may have social work, criminal justice, education, or psychology degrees or began the study of those fields. Some advocates receive additional training to get the skills they need to do their jobs well.
If You Are a Victim
It may be difficult for you to reach out for help. But you may find that victim advocates can offer you information, support, and access to helpful services you might not know about. Victims are often relieved to know that agencies in their community want to make sure they are safe and have the help they need to recover from the impact of the crime.