A VICTIM MUST MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS

Any decision the victim makes now belongs to them. You as an advocate will not pressure them to choose one option over another. Advocates will give the client options and help them to sort through those options, but you as an advocate must not make the decisions for them. For example, if the client/victim should decide they do not want to make a police report, then you as the advocate will support that decision. If the client changes their mind and chooses to make a police report in the future, you as the advocate will support them, help them to make the necessary contacts, and be present with them when they make the report, if they so choose.