9781422275481

WORDS TO UNDERSTAND

What Does a Victim Advocate Do, and Why Do We Need Them ? JOB ROLES AND SPECIFICATIONS Victim advocates are professionals who are trained to support victims of life-altering crimes. Victim advocates are a link between crime victims and the criminal justice system. Often, when someone is the victim of a crime, life feels overwhelming, and they aren’t sure what next steps need to be taken. They might feel powerless and decide that following the path of least resistance—doing nothing—is the easiest way to deal with their trauma , leaving the offender on the loose to hurt other people. A victim advocate is a supportive, listening ear who can guide them in the right direction while giving them valuable advice and access to resources. A professional in this field can work in a variety of settings, such as police offices, courtrooms, counseling centers, crime hotlines, hospitals, and prisons. Many people in this field have specialized training in the areas of psychology , counseling, law enforcement, and/or other areas focused on helping people in society. Some are volunteers, and others CHAPTER advocacy: support for certain individuals, causes, or policies perpetrator: a person who commits a harmful or illegal act psychology: the study of the human mind, its functions, and how those functions influence human behavior trauma: a distressing or disturbing experience, often creating long-lasting psychological effects

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