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Defining Advocacy

Defining Advocacy. Lisa Maling, SART Program Coordinator Peggy Helton, Primary Prevention Program Coordinator Sexual Assault Prevention and Crisis Services Crime Victim Services Division. What is an a Advocate?.

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Defining Advocacy

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  1. Defining Advocacy Lisa Maling, SART Program Coordinator Peggy Helton, Primary Prevention Program Coordinator Sexual Assault Prevention and Crisis Services Crime Victim Services Division

  2. What is an a Advocate? • Texas Government Code § 420.003 “ Advocate” means a person who provides advocacy services as an employee or volunteer of a sexual assault program • To plead in favor of (verb) (Merriam-Webster, 2011)

  3. Advocacy • System and Community Based Advocates • Strengthens services to victims • Roles are complementary

  4. System Based Advocates • System-based advocates focus on: • Victim safety • Access to justice system information • Access to case information • Relationships with criminal justice personnel • In-depth knowledge of the system • Right to be present and heard in court proceedings • Restitution Hook, M., Ethics in Victim Services, p.41

  5. System Based Advocates • System-based advocates are limited in their delivery by • Statutory limitations protecting offenders’ rights • Limits on confidentiality regarding victim information pertinent to the case • Limits on support • Time limits to the duration of the case Hook, M., Ethics in Victim Services, p.41

  6. Community Based Advocates • Community-based advocates focus on • Delivery of victims’ rights • Victim safety • Victim empowerment • Victim restoration • Education of the community on victim needs • Legal reform on victim’s behalf Hook, M., Ethics in Victim Services, p.41

  7. Community Based Advocates • Provide free, confidential, and ongoing services to victims whether or not they report a crime • Usually are associated with non-profits or non-governmental organizations • Sexual Assault Programs (Texas Government Code, Chapter 420) • 24 hour crisis hotline • Crisis intervention • Public education • Advocacy and accompaniment to hospitals, law enforcement offices, prosecutor’s offices, and courts for survivors and their family members • Crisis intervention volunteer training

  8. Victim Centered Advocacy • Guiding principles • Victim directs the service they receive/don’t receive, which allows each victim to make own decisions • Confidentiality is essential • Provide options and choices • Provide non-judgmental advocacy services • Work with or on behalf of each victim • Advocate as a collaborative part of the process

  9. Role of an Advocate in a Sexual Assault Program • Provide accurate resource information and assist victims in connecting with services • Give options and choices • Introduce crime victims’ to their rights • Provide crisis intervention • Orient the victim to the criminal justice, medical and other social service systems they may have contact with as a result of the crime • Serve as a liaison between the victim and these systems • Provide accompaniment to hospitals, law enforcement offices, prosecutors’ offices, and courts for survivors and their family members

  10. Accompaniment to Hospital • Explain services, confidentiality and role of a sexual assault advocate • Inform the victim and family of the Crime Victim Bill of Rights • Accompany and/or support the victim during the forensic medical examination (with the patient’s consent and if the advocate has completed a sexual assault training program described by Section 420.011(b) Government Code) • Educate family and friend of “normal reactions” • Reinforce importance of following up with medical needs/discharge instructions

  11. Accompaniment to Law Enforcement and Prosecutors’ Offices • Orient victim to law enforcement or prosecutors’ procedures • Accompany victim when making statements or meeting with law enforcement or prosecutors • Provide information/referral as needed • Provide crisis intervention and support services throughout the process • Collaborate with other victim service providers • Maintain confidentiality

  12. Accompaniment to Court • Orient victim to courtroom proceedings • Accompany victim when meeting prosecutors and victim witness coordinators • Provide information/referral • Provide crisis intervention as needed • Collaborate with other victim service providers to assure a sense of safety for the victim during hearings • Maintain confidentiality

  13. Other Opportunities for Advocacy • Follow-up services • With permission of the victim • Follow-up 24-48 hours following initial contact to offer ongoing support services and to ensure the victim was able to access resources • Follow up with law enforcement to determine next step Examples may include: affidavit, photo line up, forensic video tape • Remain in contact with the victim throughout the process • Maintain confidentiality

  14. Other Opportunities for Advocacy • Community Education • Provide community education on • Texas Crime Victim Bill of Rights • Dynamics of sexual violence including effects experienced by victims • Agency services • Sex offender typologies • Types of sexual assault • Non-stranger sexual assault • Drug facilitated sexual assault • Attitudes, beliefs, behaviors supportive of sexual violence

  15. Other Opportunities for Advocacy • Social change, community development and community mobilization • Prevention efforts • Public policy • Internal and external policies • Funding and grant objectives • Professional cross training • SART (Sexual Assault Response Teams) • SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner)

  16. Toolkit for Advocates • Texas Crime Victims Bill of Rights • Myths and facts of sexual violence • Accurate and up to date community resources • Training on sexual assault, advocacy and victim services • Training on community development, social change, coalition building and community collaboration

  17. Scenario I • The victim presents to the hospital after a sexual assault. The SANE nurse calls the advocate from the local sexual assault program. When the advocate arrives, the victim insists they do not want to make a report but they want a SANE exam and they don’t want anyone to know about the assault. • Non-report • Pseudonym

  18. Scenario II • A sexual assault victim calls and tells the advocate they do not have transportation to court or appropriate clothes to wear.

  19. Scenario III • An advocate is called to the hospital for a sexual assault accompaniment. The victim is employed in the sex industry and is specifically concerned about STIs.

  20. Scenario VI • A victim calls on the hotline and says they were sexually assaulted as a child. They now want to make a police report.

  21. Take Care of Yourself • Meditation • Personal therapy • Exercise • Reading • Relaxation • Debriefing • Peer Support

  22. Bibliography • Hook, M. (2005). Ethics in Victim Services, Victims’ Assistance Legal Organization, 2005, pp. 40-44 • Texas Government Code accessed at: • www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/GV/htm/GV.420.htm

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