In their own words

The following reflections were provided by advocates with the Boulder Police Department when asked to describe what a victim advocate is and does.  

1. An individual who is trained to be of assistance to any survivor of a crime or natural disaster; a life-line for victims to help them in getting a support system into place.
2. We are emotional Emergency Technicians and provide crisis intervention services to individuals in need in our community.
3. We provide assistance for Victims and Survivors in the first five or six hours following a trauma and follow up assistance after an incident.
4. We help those who have experienced trauma gain some control over their situation by connecting them to their own support system and to resources available to them in the community.
5. We are a calm steady presence for someone whose life has fallen apart and a friend in time of need.
6. We are volunteers who provide resources and information. We are willing to listen and seek to offer moral support and to empower individuals who are survivors of crimes, tragedy, and natural disasters.
7. We are a person of presence (85 percent of the job is being there; be it in person or on the phone).
8. We are crisis interventionists, not therapists, for persons experiencing a traumatic event.
9. We are resourceful, and educated about organizations that are available to ease the pain and the impact of a traumatic experience.
10. We are care givers available in the Boulder community to assist people who have experienced traumatic events.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 September 2012 13:52