AN ADVOCATE IS DIFFERENT THAN A FRIEND

Lots of people need a friend when they are hurting, and friends can assist in a person’s journey towards recovery. However, an advocate is different than a friend in many ways. Sometimes people turn to a friend for advice, but an advocate will never tell a victim what to do. Instead, the advocate will help them to understand the choices that they have, and what the consequences of those choices may be. Some friendships last a lifetime, but an advocate’s job is time-limited. It is the advocate’s role to support them through their immediate crisis and to make sure that they’re connected with the resources they need. The advocate’s knowledge of resources will help them to make the best choice for themselves.