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The Profession of Victim Advocacy: What It Is and Why We Need a National MovementAugust 15, 2017

Ms. Bette Inch, MSCP, CASenior Victim Assistance AdvisorDoD Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Office

Jeannette Adkins, MEd, LPC, CAChair, National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP)National Organization for Victim Assistance Board of Directors

2DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office

Agenda

• Learning Objectives• Collaboration Efforts• Civilian Victim Advocacy History• Military Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy History• Satisfaction• Crime Rates• Why Professionalize?• Current State• How to Professionalize?• Next Steps

Presenter

Presentation Notes

This training covers the following topics


Learning Objectives

• Objective 1: Recognize the steps taken thus far to professionalize the field of victim advocacy in both the civilian and military communities

• Objective 2: Fully understand the potential consequences of advancing the national field of victim advocacy to crime victims and for our country

• Objective 3: Communicate your perception of the current state of victim advocacy and the intended end state for the victim advocacy community

Presenter

Presentation Notes

We have three primary learning objectives. At the end of this training you will be able to perform the 3 objectives.


“A warm smile and a sympathetic ear are no longer the only essential ingredients for becoming a victim

service provider.”

VictimologyBy William G. Doerner, Steven P. Lab

Presenter

Presentation Notes

At one time, all that was needed to become a victim service provider was a warm smile and a sympathetic ear. That is no longer the case. Over the years we have learned that it takes more than a smile and a sympathetic ear, it takes a particular set of skills and knowledge about victims and available resources and programs. And, it takes effective communication delivered with appropriate corresponding body language. You have to understand the impact of trauma on crime victims and how that potentially alters victim behavior. Victim Services personnel are professionals!


Collaboration Efforts: Department of Defense

• National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP)

• National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA)

• Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)

• Department of Defense, Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Office (DoD SAPRO)

• Joins Civilian and Military communities with experts and academia to: – Develop National Standards

– Administer the Credentialing Process

– Establish Training Requirements

– Oversee Credentialing & Certification

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Collaborating with other victim services agencies is key to staying on top of best practices in the field. The Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO), the National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP), National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA), Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), collaborated to create national standards for victim assistance. This effort was aided by OVC funding the University of South Carolina to create a national working group made of professionals from the field, academia, military, and civilian practitioners in 2003 and again in 2015 to provide updates relating to technology security and privacy. There have been many collaboration efforts between NACP, NOVA, and SAPRO’s to establish, administer, and oversee victim advocacy. We will go into great detail about our efforts a little later in the training. Know that this would not be possible without the combined efforts of these organizations.


Collaboration Efforts: National Advocate Credentialing Program

• National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP) provided consultation to the DoD SAPRO regarding development of a certification program for the military’s sexual assault victim advocates in response to a congressional mandate for training and quality services in response to sexual assault in the military

• The National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) received a contract to administer the DoD Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP) to include screening, tracking, processing approvals and issuing credentials to applicants, consistent with national standards

• NACP and D-SAACP work collaboratively to provide and improve standardized and relevant introductory and continuing education training standards for all victim advocates and to continue professionalizing the field of advocacy

• NACP works with State Victim Assistance Academies to “pre-approve” their curricula as meeting NACP’s minimum standards for introductory advocacy training. Over 40 training programs nationwide have been pre-approved to date

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Collaboration efforts related to NACP – Review 1st bullet. 2nd Bullet: NOVA administers the D-SAACP for the military 3rd Bullet: Together NACP and D-SAACP move the profession forward 4th Bullet: NACP also pre-approves State Victim Assistance Academies curricula for victim advocacy


“The crime victims’ rights movement has matured and become a respected partner in our Nation’s community of social and criminal justice services. Yet the ideals of the movement have yet to be fully realized. There remain significant challenges to overcome before crime victims can be certain of a fair and compassionate response to their plight. For those who brought it into being, the victims’ movement is required to keep moving forward if its mission is to be realized.” Dr. Marlene Young, The History of the Movement, OVC Oral History Project, NCVRW 2005 – Silver Anniversary

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Dr. Marlene Young, founder of NOVA stated in 2005 during her input to the Oral History of the Movement, that the victim's rights movement must keep moving forward if its mission is to be realized. Meaning we must keep pushing the advocacy profession to be as recognized as a first responder as our police are, and we get there through the credible recognition as professionals. To see the history of victims’ rights go to: https://law.lclark.edu/centers/national_crime_victim_law_institute/about_ncvli/history_of_victims_rights/ Or for more information about the victims movement, see trynova.org/we-content/uploads/file/victimsmovement.pdf


Civilian Victim Advocacy History

• National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) developed program standards in the 1980s and a Code of Ethics for Victim Service Professionals adopted by the NOVA Board of Directors in 1996

– NOVA initiated discussions regarding a national credentialing program with other national victim assistance organizations in April of 2001 in in Washington, D.C.

• National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP) launched in October of 2003 as the first voluntary credentialing program available to crime victim advocates nationwide

– NOVA serves as the secretariat of the NACP program• Grandfathering of experienced advocates was in effect for the first two years of the

program and expired October 31, 2005 in anticipation of possible testing for applicants– NOVA requires a minimum of 40 hours of pre-service training, 32 hours of continuing education

every two years and recognizes the advocates’ years of experience• Over 6,000 advocates have applied for NACP civilian credentialing to date

"Professional standards and ethics have been instrumental in guiding the victim assistance field to become the crime victim/survivor assistance profession."

-- Anne Seymour, National Victim Advocate since 1984

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Beginning in the 80’s….(read the slide). NACP Board, in collaboration with all the stakeholders, is once again anticipating developing a standardized test for credentialing applicants. Having a standardized test is needed to further standardize and professionalize victim advocacy and build credibility throughout society. Standardized test also moves us one step closer to our goal of ensuring all survivors the highest quality of services, regardless of their location or advocate. Anne Seymour, a long-time national victim advocate commented in the Victim Oral History Project, that professional standards and ethics have been instrumental in guiding the victim assistance field to become the crime victim/survivor assistance profession. You can find the Oral History of the Crime Victim Assistance Field video and audio archived at http://vroh.uakron.edu/.


• Mothers Against Drunk Driving National (MADD)• National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG)• National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards (NACVB)• National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators (NAVAA)• National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC)• National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA)• Ohio Advocate Network (OAN)• Pennsylvania Coalition on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD)

NACP Original Co-Sponsors

Presenter

Presentation Notes

These are some of the organizations that led the way in the victims movement as they sought to bring dignity, compassion and justice to the treatment of crime victims. When Attorney General William French Smith established the Attorney General’s Task Force on Violence in 1980 that precipitated a Presidential Task Force on Victims and issuance of Attorney General guidelines for implementing fair standards for the treatment of victims in the federal system, few people dreamed of the scope of victim assistance that is available today throughout the federal system. (Marlene Young, Feb 10, 1997 in Washington, DC, delivered the first National Symposium on Victims of federal Crime.) To read Dr. Young’s full speech go to http://www.trynova.org/wp-content/uploads/file/victimsmovement.pdf


Benefits of Credentialing

Promotes minimum

standards of required pre-

service training

Recognizes the direct service

experience (paid,

volunteer or internship) of

Victim Advocates

Provides standardized credentialing

to Victim Advocates nationwide

Encourages continuing education

Offers mobility in the field

Identifies professional Credentialed Advocates

(CA) by displayed certificate, wallet card

and use of the initials “CA”

Presenter

Presentation Notes

What are the benefits of Credentialing, you ask? Review each block. Both military and civilian Credentialed Advocates (CA) can now be identified by displaying “CA” after their name.


Military Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy History

• History: Military Community– FY12 NDAA required DoD establish a training and certification program for

SARCs and SAPR VAs– DoD SAPRO contracted with the National Organization for Victim Assistance

(NOVA) to administer the DoD Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP) to include screening, tracking, processing approvals and issuing credentials to applicants, consistent with national standards

• Purpose– Improve the quality of response to victims – Implement standards. Infuse competence, character, and commitment to

upholding the highest ethical standards for victim assistance– Recognize advocacy as a respected profession by Service members

• Total applicants since 2012: 59,824

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Even prior to the FY 2012 NDAA requiring DoD to establish a training and certification program for SARCs and SAPR VAs, the Department recognized the need to professionalize these key responders. And, in order to have credibility among Service members our goal was to ensure adherence to national standards. Like NACP, NOVA administers the D-SAACP on behalf of the Department of Defense. Credentialing SARCs and SAPR VAs is critical to ensuring victims/survivors receive the highest quality response by implementing common standards across the Department, infusing competence through specialized training and experience, underscoring military and federal employees mind-set of public service, instituting a code of professional ethics to augment Service values, and an unwavering commitment by SARCs and SAPR VAs to victims and survivors. This approach is beneficial because it: Fulfills the description of “exploring the benefits of moving the Victim Advocacy profession towards a similar professional end state.” Improves the quality of response to victims by professionalizing military victim advocacy. Contributes to unit readiness by creating a climate of trust and mutual respect. Provides quality care to military victims. Delivers informed, relevant, compassionate, and effective services. Reassures victims that they receive support from a trained professional. Standardizes victim assistance. Professionalizes the role of victim advocates. Trains and equips. Enhances morale. Formalizes competency areas. Fosters career development. Strengthens military units. Informs and engages commanders. Mitigates sexual assault’s impact on a unit. Contributes to mission readiness. Contributes to the DoD mission. Standardizes sexual assault victim advocacy across the Department. Enhances military leadership training and engagement. Leverages civilian victim advocacy expertise and best practices. Ensures compliance with FY12 NDAA.


Satisfaction

• The MIJES asked respondents to indicate their satisfaction with responses provided by their SARC during the military justice process

• In the 2015 MIJES, 68% of victims indicated they were satisfied with the services provided by their SARC during the military justice process; in 2016, that number rose to 73%

– In 2015, 74% of respondents indicated they were satisfied with the services provided by their SAPR VA.

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

2016 MIJES

2015 MIJES

2016 MIJES 2015 MIJESSatisfied with VA 75% 74%Satisfied with SARC 73% 68%

Satisfaction with Services Provided by SARC and SAPR VA

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Are we providing a high-quality response? Initial indications are positive. Data from our FY2015 and FY2016 Military Investigative Justice Experience Survey (MIJES) provided us with a glimpse into the level of satisfaction of SARC and SAPR VA services from victims going through the Military Justice process.


Satisfaction (cont.)

• The WGRA found that the majority of female victims indicated satisfaction with their SARCs; however, the data have not trended in any specific direction from 2012 to 2016

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

2016 WGRA

2014 WGRA

2012 WGRA

2016 WGRA 2014 WGRA 2012 WGRADissatisfied 13% 11% 17%Neither satisfied nor

dissatisfied 22% 16% 16%

Satisfied 64% 73% 68%

Satisfaction Among Women with Responses/Services Received from SARCs

From FY16 D-SAACP Goal Report

Presenter

Presentation Notes

We cannot say for sure that the slight increases or decreases in satisfaction are directly attributable to the D-SAACP program, but anecdotal information provided by the SARCs and SAPR VAs lead us to believe that D-SAACP is making a important difference in the field. WGRA – The Workplace and Gender Relations Survey of Active Duty Members may be found at sapr.mil/index.php/research


Satisfaction (cont.)

• Satisfaction with SAPR VAs has not trended in any particular direction, with the highest rate of satisfaction occurring in 2014 (74%) and the lowest rate of satisfaction occurring in 2016 (64%)

– The satisfaction rates for SAPR VAs are similar to those for SARCs

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

2016 WGRA

2014 WGRA

2012 WGRA

2016 WGRA 2014 WGRA 2012 WGRADissatisfied 13% 10% 16%Neither satisfied nor

dissatisfied 22% 15% 15%

Satisfied 64% 74% 69%

Satisfaction Among Women with Responses/Service Received from SAPR VAs

From FY16 D-SAACP Goals Report

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Again, any changes in satisfaction with SAPR VAs is not directly attributable to any variable, including D-SAACP certification, but gives a picture of the current and past health of the victim assistance program. We need to understand the reasons for dissatisfaction in order to address those areas. With such a high-turnover of military victim advocates, it is clear that more work needs to be done if we are to achieve our goal of providing a high-quality response.


Share of Type of Civilian Crime Reported in 2015

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Civilian crime rates and sexual violence rates in the military lead us to believe victim advocates will be needed for a long time to come. According to the Uniform Crime Report by the FBI 2016, the estimated number of murders in the nation was 15,696. During 2016, there were an estimated 90,185 rapes. (This figure currently reflects UCR’s legacy definition.) There were an estimated 327,374 robberies nationwide, which accounted for an estimated $390 million in losses (average dollar value of stolen property per reported robbery was $1,190). Firearms were used in 71.5 percent of the nation’s murders, 40.8 percent of robberies, and 24.2 percent of aggravated assaults. Property crimes resulted in losses estimated at $14.3 billion. The total value of reported stolen property (i.e., currency, jewelry, motor vehicles, electronics, firearms) was $12,420,364,454. Ours is a profession that isn’t going away anytime in the for seeable future. In fact, we need more advocates to achieve their credential.


Why Professionalize?

“A profession arises when any trade or occupation transforms itself through the development of formal qualifications based upon education, apprenticeship, and examinations, the emergence of regulatory bodies with powers to admit and discipline members, and some degree of monopoly rights.”

-- Alan Bullock & Stephen Trombley,The New Fontana Dictionary of Modern Thought

Presenter

Presentation Notes

So why do we care about victim advocacy being recognized as a credible profession. Let’s begin with understanding how a profession arises.


Why Professionalize cont.?

• Define Profession:– Founded upon specialized educational training– For the purpose of providing counsel (support) and service to others– For a direct and definite compensation, wholly apart from expectation of other

business gains

• Medieval and early modern tradition recognized only three professions: divinity, medicine and law – the so-called "learned professions"

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Profession is practiced on the basis of relevant qualifications in a personal, responsible and professionally independent capacity by those providing intellectual and conceptual services in the interest of the client and the public. Employers want new workers to be responsible, ethical, and team-oriented, as well as to possess strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills. Wrap these skills up all together and you’ve got professionalism. Does crime victim advocacy meet the definition of “Profession”? Interestingly enough, modern tradition recognized only three professions.



• Major milestones which may mark an occupation being identified as a profession include:– an occupation becomes a full-time occupation– the establishment of a training school– the establishment of a university school– the establishment of a local association– the establishment of a national association– the introduction of codes of professional ethics– the establishment of state licensing laws

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Applying these milestones to the historical sequence of development in the United States shows that Surveying was the first to achieve status of “professional”. With the rise of technology and occupational specialization in the 19th century, other bodies began to claim professional status: pharmacy, veterinary medicine, psychology, nursing, teaching, librarianship, optometry and social work, each of which could claim to have become professions by 1900 using these milestones. Although professions may enjoy relatively high status and public prestige, not all professionals earn high salaries, and even within specific professions there exist significant inequalities of compensation; in law, for example, a corporate or insurance defense lawyer working on a billable-hour basis may earn several times what a prosecutor or public defender earns.



• Professional Body: Self-Regulation– Examinations– Ethical Code

• Characteristics: High standards of excellence• Autonomous: Freedom to exercise professional judgement• Status: Occupational prestige• Power

– Dominate, police, and protect its area of expertise and the conduct of its members– Exercises influence over its entire field

“Any occupation wishing to exercise professional authority must find a technical basis for it, assert an exclusive jurisdiction, link both skill and jurisdiction to standards of training and convince the public that its services are uniquely trustworthy.”

-H.L. Wilensky

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Besides regulating access to a profession, professional bodies may set examinations of competence and enforce adherence to an ethical code. Typically, individuals are required by law to be qualified by a local professional body before they are permitted to practice in that profession. “Professional autonomy can only be maintained if members of the profession subject their activities and decisions to a critical evaluation by other members of the profession" J Hoogland, Professional Autonomy and the Normative Structure of Medical Practice. The concept of autonomy can therefore be seen to embrace not only judgement, but also self-interest and a continuous process of critical evaluation of ethics and procedures from within the profession itself. They must form special business entities such as partnerships or professional corporations, which feature (1) reduced protection against liability for professional negligence and (2) severe limitations or outright prohibitions on ownership by non-professionals. The obvious implication of this is that all equity owners of the professional business entity must be professionals themselves. This avoids the possibility of a non-professional owner of the firm telling a professional how to do his or her job and thereby protects professional autonomy. The idea is that the only non-professional person who should be telling the professional what to do is the client; in other words, professional autonomy preserves the integrity of the two-party professional-client relationship. But because professional business entities are effectively locked out of the stock market, they tend to grow relatively slowly compared to public corporations.



• Advocates provide support; advocacy within the multi-disciplinary systems, and help victims navigate complex, multi-faceted processes

• They must be professionals and experts in their field in order to interact credibly, and at the same level, with other professionals within these systems

• Advocacy requires advanced ethical decision making and problem solving capabilities, which must be based on a solid knowledge base coupled with sensitivity

• Advocates must embody the following values– Character: Defined by the values of our professional code of ethics and military

values– Competency: External evaluation by those of the profession validates competence– Commitment: Internal policing to ensure standards are followed and peer correction

take place

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Advocates have two primary functions: (1) Help navigate the system and empower victims, and (2) Advocate on behalf of the victim. The field of victim assistance draws from many disciplines, including sociology, psychology, biology, and education. Mastery of theoretical knowledge: Victimology as a discipline is typically considered within the realm of criminology. Capacity to solve problems: Houle (1980) proposes that "the ultimate test of the success of a professional is the ability to solve problems (or decide that they cannot be solved), and those problems usually involve vital and deeply significant outcomes.“ Problem solving is a primary function of victim assistance in "helping victims assess where they are, where they want to go, and how to get there" Use of practical knowledge: Practical knowledge is the techniques and strategies, based in theoretical inquiry, that have been found useful through experience. The increased presence of victim assistance literature, including academic journals, books, newsletters, Web sites and listserv discussion groups, is evidence of the applied literature and resources that help to expand practitioners' skill base. Self-enhancement: Self-enhancement refers to the continued pursuit of knowledge and understanding in those areas of study and interest not directly related to the occupation. This is valuable not only for the insights, perspectives, and creativity gained by rounded learning, but also for self-preservation and personal vitality. A balanced self is critical for effective victim assistance practice which, by nature, is characterized by unique stressors that may lead to ineffective practice.



• Bridge program with the National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP) allows military advocates to transfer skills to civilian victim service organizations– The NACP Bridge application is utilized by those moving from military to

civilian advocacy or those who want to add an NACP credential to their credentials. The Bridge will take the certified SARC or SAPR-VA from the current D-SAACP level to the equivalent NACP level

• Strengthens our country – Professionalizing the profession of advocacy has a national and global

impact and influences our culture

Presenter

Presentation Notes

We now provide a “Bridge” program for the military advocates to cross over to the civilian community. Professionalizing connects experts in the civilian and military communities and provides a needed service to our country. It makes our country stronger


Current State: Victim Advocacy

• Core Competencies identified• NACP offers specialty areas for credentialed advocates based upon basic and

advanced training and to whom they provide services:– Child Abuse Specialist– Domestic Violence Specialist– Drunk Driving Specialist– Homicide Specialist– Sexual Assault Specialist– Campus Advocacy Specialist– Comprehensive Services Specialist– Program Management Specialist– D-SAACP

• Department of Defense Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program is a separate program for DOD service members and DOD employees who serve as SARCs and SAPR VAs

• National Standards Exist• Pride in victim services is evident

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Let’s look at our current state in professionalizing victim advocacy. Review the slide


Current State: Victim Advocacy cont.

• 12,276 D-SAACP applications received

• 11,686 D-SAACP applications approved

• 760 SARCs approved• 10,926 SAPR VAs

approved

Department of Defense Highlights FY16

• 6,000+ NACP applications received

• 40+ training programs have been NACP pre-approved

• NACP credentialed advocates may be recognized for their specialty area(s)

National Highlights FY16

"The needs and concerns of crime survivors demand that we meet them with professionalism, dignity and respect for their individual lives, individual decision-making, and autonomy.“ -- Anne Seymour, National Crime Victim Advocate since 1984

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Pre-approved training courses ensure the minimum standards for introductory advocacy training with successful graduates being eligible, at minimum, for the NACP Provisional credential. - Advocates are recognized for NACP specialty areas when documented specialized training is demonstrated. Pre-approved training courses ensure the minimum standards for introductory advocacy training with successful graduates being eligible, at minimum for Level I D-SAACP. Advocates are recognized for D-SAACP when documented specialized training is demonstrated and commanders/supervisors/SARCs affirm their selection based on the application requirements in DD Form 2950, Department of Defense Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP), Application Packet for New Applicants, and 2950-1, Application Packet for Renewal Applicants. - Advocates are recognized for D-SAACP Levels II, III and IV based on documented experience.


Current State: Victim Advocacy cont.

24,000 Military

CAs

6,000 Civilian

CAsDAVAs & VAs

11,000 VOCA

Funded Programs

Professionalization of the field would

make the field stronger

Presenter

Presentation Notes

The civilian Domestic Abuse Victim Advocates (DAVAs) and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocates (SAPR VAs) located in the Family Assistance Centers are also available, as well as civilian advocates across the country. If everyone joined together in credentialing and professionalization of the field, the combined effort would make the field stronger and quality of service better.


Current State: Feedback

“Being certified greatly assists the Command Team when issues arise as I am often asked for guidance on how to handle sexual harassment issues or if an

issue is considered harassment, etc.”

“We’re definitely heading in the right direction. The more emphasis we place on the issues, the

better.”“It’s essential for

us to a have certification to legitimize the work we do.”

“Outstanding, thank you to all of you who work so hard to keep

us going.”

“I believe this Certification/Education process is something that helps Soldiers even when they leave Military Service. I love that I am certified

and will continue to voice the true ethical behavior of commitment to this Program.”

“NOVA’s assistance was top notch. They were highly

professional in answering all my questions.”

Presenter

Presentation Notes

Some comments from the military field of advocates.


Current State: Professional Comparisons cont.

Attorneys Counselors Law Enforcement Personnel

Victim Advocates

Training

Experience

StandardizedExam

Credential

Verification by others in the Profession

Continuing Education

Oversight Board

Credential RequiredFor Job

Presenter

Presentation Notes

The primary requirements needed to begin one of these professions – Attorneys, Counselors, Law Enforcement, Victim Advocates (including SARCs) are: training, credentialing, and continuing education units, oversight boards, verification by others in the profession, and the requirement for a credential to qualify for the job. All of these areas are required of all professions. You see that none of these professions require experience in order to begin; however, all professions – with the exception of Advocates - require passing a standardized test (no standardized test currently exists for victim advocacy). All require verification by others in the profession – peers – in order to be held accountable for their behavior through oversight boards. Requiring credentials when selecting individuals for positions and upon hire. These 8 areas work together for these professions to be credible and trusted by the community. So what is needed to move our profession forward?


Next Steps for Victim Advocacy

• What the Military is doing:– Promoting D-SAACP credential by adding the designation of “CA”– Recognizing specialty topic areas of victim assistance, i.e. Advocating for Military Men– Developing verification tool to ensure new trainees demonstrate their ability to provide

direct victim assistance

• What the Civilian Community is doing: – Promoting standardized introductory training and continuing education– Recognizing emerging specialty areas (e.g. campus advocacy)– Encouraging becoming NACP credentialed in addition to other professional credentials

for growing recognition of our field

Presenter

Presentation Notes

The military has taken action by mandating D-SAACP credentialing for all SARCs and SAPR VAs. We are joining our NACP colleagues and now promoting D-SAACP credential by adding the designation of “CA” after the advocates name. CA denotes the credential you posses. As we look towards the future, DoD is developing additional D-SAACP sub-specialties and developing key behavioral-based questions that demonstrate a new trainee’s ability to be an advocate. The Civilian community – Promotes standadized training and advanced training through continuing education. Recognizes emerging sepciality areas, i.e. Campus advocacy Encouraging becoming NACP credentialed in addition to other professional credentials for growing recognition of our field.


Next Steps for Victim Advocacy cont.

What you can do:– Make State or National Credential a minimum requirement for hiring and on Position

Descriptions– As a program director, support credentialing of your advocates by including fees for

credentialing and continuing education in your budget– Display your credential and use the “CA” on your business card and in your signature

line for correspondence– Support national efforts to professionalize

• What we need to do together - Explore options to move forward on:– Establishing Oversight Board– Developing a standardized Core Exam– Developing standardized Verification Tool by others in the Profession– Develop Licensure as an allied professions

Presenter

Presentation Notes

You can support national efforts to professionalize by making State or National Credential a minimum requirement for hiring and on Position Descriptions. Support national efforts by volunteering to participate in the things we need to do together such as establishing an oversight board, developing a standardized core exam, developing standardized verificcation tools by others in the profession, and developing licensure as an allied preoffions. As we move foward DoD will need your help! We need advocates to be involved with establishing Oversight Boards, participate in the development of a standardized Exam and standardization tool that verifies trainees have master direct victim assistance, and develop licensure as an allied professions.


Learning Objectives

Objective 1: Recognize the steps taken thus far to professionalize the field of victim advocacy in both the civilian and military communities

Objective 2: Fully understand the potential consequences of advancing the national field of victim advocacy to crime victims and for our country

Objective 3: Communicate perception of the current state of victim advocacy and their intended end state for the victim advocacy community

YOU ARE THE FUTURE OF VICTIM ADVOCACY

Presenter

Presentation Notes

We have met our three training objectives. As Dr. Marlene Young stated -- The crime victims’ rights movement has matured and become a respected partner in our Nation’s community of social and criminal justice services. Yet the ideals of the movement have yet to be fully realized. There remain significant challenges to overcome before crime victims can be certain of a fair and compassionate response to their plight. For those who brought it into being, the victims’ movement is required to keep moving forward if its mission is to be realized.” Dr. Marlene Young, The History of the Movement, OVC Oral History Project, NCVRW 2005 – Silver Anniversary You are the generation to bring the victims’ movement home and complete the mission to professionalize the field of Advocacy.


Contact Information

Contact Bette [email protected]

Senior Victim Assistance AdvisorDoD Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Office

Department of Defense Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program

Contact Jeannette [email protected]

National Advocate Credentialing ProgramNational Organization for Victim Assistance

[email protected]

Get Help: 877-995-5247

www.safehelpline.org

http://www.thenacp.org/

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