ADVOCATES WILL NEVER JUDGE A VICTIM NOR THEIR DECISIONS

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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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.

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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 violence
  
  shelter, child advocacy center, mental health/social services agency or an independent program that contracts with any of these community-based agencies.

A victim advocate may also be known as a victim assistance professional, victim services
provider, victim services specialist or other similar titles.

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