Decide on Core Membership

Victim Advocates

Advocates promote victims' rights and assist with their emotional, physical, psychological, economic, and spiritual needs. Although there is a clear distinction between community- and government-based advocacy (e.g., community-based advocates may hold statutorily defined privileged communications whereas government-based advocates do not), the general role of the advocate is to ensure that addressing the victim's full range of needs is a priority.

On a SART, victim advocates—

• Act as liaison among SART agencies on behalf of victims.
• Work collaboratively with team members to ensure quality services.
• Protect and promote victims' rights to confidentiality.
• Educate the team on issues of diverse populations.
• Work with the team to develop innovative practices.
• Ensure that victims' followup support and services are addressed.
• Resolve problems that may impede victims' receipt of timely and accurate case notification.
• Help implement initiatives aimed at educating the community about preventing sexual assault.