Title: Victim Advocate: A Good-Natured Person’s Job
If you have always wanted to help people, you must have volunteered countless times. It is a noble quality to have, one missing on many people. Volunteering, yet, has one concern: it’s free.
Nonetheless, the thought of helping people full time must have occurred to you. The problem is job opportunities in the industry are scarce. Working in big charitable organizations is appealing, but it may not provide financial security. You’ll be traveling a lot, which is a perk to many but not to all.
A Good-Natured Person’s Job
A victim’s advocate job is simple. They help victims of crime cope with life after their terrible ordeal. It’s one thing getting over petty theft; it’s another moving on from traumatic experiences. Victims often have to go through feelings of terror, anger, depression, grief and confusion. Without help, they will spiral down into darkness and never live normally again.
This is why the world needs victim advocates. These people need help coping with mental distresses and their legal ordeals.
The Legal Part of the Job
Part of moving forward is getting justice. It will not be easy for people who survived serious crimes. That is a big part of why victim advocates are here. From finding a lawyer to accompanying the victim to court, they are a shoulder to lean on.
There to Help
The bulk of a victim advocate’s job is being there for the victims. They help them with basic needs, daily routines and emergency care. Some of them even work in crisis hotlines, run support groups and provide counseling.
Being a victim advocate offers you the satisfaction of helping those in dire situations. At CLS by BARBRI, we offer the Victim Advocacy Certificate. This prepares you to work in victim advocacy arenas, such as domestic violence shelters, crisis centers, crisis hotlines, and with state and county governments to assist crime victims in progressing through the criminal justice system and toward successful recovery. Contact us if you’re interested in pursuing such a career.