The Role of a Sexual Violence Advocate: Understanding Sexual Violence Services and Referrals

Sexual assault survivors who receive advocacy experience fewer and less severe psychological symptoms, are more likely to receive medical forensic exams and have less distress after contact with the criminal justice system.
This 90-minute webinar will explore the importance of advocacy and provide an overview of the role of a sexual assault advocate.
Attendees will:
-Understand the principles of trauma-informed advocacy
-Analyze the roles and responsibilities of sexual violence advocates and how they support the role of other responders
-Learn about the types of services sexual assault advocates and programs can offer
-Identify how responders can make a referral to a sexual assault advocate or program
This training is appropriate for all responders working with sexual assault victims (e.g. victim service providers, criminal justice professionals).
CORRECTION: Early in the presentation, the presenter said "with domestic violence, the relationship to the person that harmed them..." the statement should have been, " with SEXUAL violence, the relationship to the person that harmed them could be...".

[@brucesgirlangela]

Excellent information. I am the Director of Sexual Assault Victim Services at a community based program in Wisconsin, and still found this incredibly helpful for advocates here! Thank you!

[@kerilee2530]

Hi LaShae,
I appreciate what you do for people. I have a few questions for you. As a sexual assault victim advocate, how do you view the role of the victim in the pursuit of criminal justice ? What is your opinion of the efficiency and effectiveness of the prevailing victims' rights laws in your jurisdiction? To what extent do you attribute the absence or reluctance of victims to participate in the criminal justice processes? and finally, what is your understanding of crime victim's rights and the history of this movement.