The right decision for one person may not be the right decision for the next. An advocate understands that there are as many “right” ways to do things as there are people. Even if the victim feels they have made some “bad” decisions, they can trust that the advocate will not blame nor judge them. Even if they decide they don’t want to “do anything” now, the advocate will support that decision. No matter what they’ve done or decide to do in the future, the advocate will respect them and the decisions they make.
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Showing posts with label client/victim. Show all posts
Showing posts with label client/victim. Show all posts
Monday, March 3, 2008
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.
Read more!ADVOCATES WILL BELIEVE
Unlike the police or the nurse that examines a victim, it is NOT the role of the advocate to be “unbiased.” It is the advocate’s job to believe them, to support them, and to help them get connected to the resources that they need.
Read more!ANY INFORMATION A VICTIM SHARES WITH AN ADVOCATE IS CONFIDENTIAL
Confidentiality is the foundation of our work. We as advocates must not discuss any information a victim has given us with anyone, unless they ask us to do so and give us permission in writing. Even if someone says that s/he just wants to know how they are doing, we tell him/her that we cannot affirm or deny whether we are working with that person or not. Simply put - we will not tell anyone - not the police, not a victims family, not their friends - that we are working with this person, unless that client asks us to do so, and then again, we get this in writing.
Limits: For the victims protection and the protection of others, the law places limits on confidentiality. If a client states that they seriously intend to harm themself or another person, we as advocates are mandated by law to report such intent. We also must report if: There is suspicion of child or elder abuse or neglect; a client is pregnant and using illegal drugs; and/or if a client were abused by a psychologist or psychiatrist.
IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT
The advocate knows that a rape is never the fault of the victim. There is nothing that a person does that can cause another person to rape them. Even if the victim places some of the blame on themselves right now, the advocate will never say or believe that it was the victims fault. Never.
Read more!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.
Read more!ADVOCATES WANT TO HELP
People become advocates because they want to help other people. Oftentimes, a person who experiences a crisis can use the help of someone who is caring, compassionate and knowledgable. An advocate can be that “someone.”
Read more!WHAT IS AN ADVOCATE?
A victim advocate is a person who provides support, advocacy, information and referral services
to those victimized by crime, those suspected of being victims of crimes or family members of a
crime victim. The victim advocate could also provide services to neighborhoods where a crime
has occurred and may provide services to friends, co-workers, classmates or extended family
members of victims.
A victim advocate may be a paid staff member or a volunteer. A victim advocate may be
located within:
- A dedicated agency or program such as a law enforcement agency, prosecutor’s office,
municipal law director’s office, court program or may be member of an independent
program that contracts with any of these organizations. - A community-based agency or program such as a rape crisis center, domestic violenceshelter, child advocacy center, mental health/social services agency or an independent program that contracts with any of these community-based agencies.
provider, victim services specialist or other similar titles. Read more!
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