Members placed with crisis centers as advocates assist survivors in numerous ways. Advocates answer crisis line calls and work one on one to support victims. They help victims obtain restraining orders, access shelter, support children who have witnessed abuse, facilitate support groups, support sexual assault victims at hospitals and provide referrals for local services. Members may also assist with community trainings and provide outreach and education to schools. They become knowledgeable in local support networks so that they can refer survivors to appropriate services.
Service Activities
Primary Responsibilities
-Providing referrals and accompaniments to services that will provide financial independence
-Providing referrals to secure safe affordable housing
-Providing information to increase knowledge of financial literacy
-Assisting in obtaining restraining orders and offering support and assistance at these hearings
-Providing confidential support to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking
-Answering crisis hot line calls
-Providing accompaniment to the hospital, police department, criminal proceedings and social service agencies
-Making contacts and/or referrals to social service agencies and other community resources
-Participating in public outreach and education to community organizations, hospitals, etc.
Community Need Addressed
Sexual and domestic violence and stalking are pervasive social problems that significantly hinder a victim’s ability to engage in a productive and economically successful life. Violence not only comes in the form of physical and emotional injury, but abusers also use financial and economic abuse to control victims, such as maintaining exclusive control over the household finances, preventing and/or sabotaging the victim’s employment, and ruining their partner’s credit and ability to secure independent and safe housing.
Position Outcomes
Members will seek to increase the economic opportunities of victims, as well as enhance financial literacy, as a means to empower victims to create safe and stable futures for themselves and their children. As a result of the power and control that is inherent in domestic and sexual violence and stalking, victims often do not know or understand what housing and financial options are available to them or how to access these services. The meaningful information and referrals that AVAP members will provide to victims will open the door to housing and financial opportunities that they previously did not know existed and/or did not know how to access.
Benefits
Childcare assistance if eligible, Education award upon successful completion of service, Health coverage, Living allowance, Student loan forbearance, Training
Skills you will gain
Crisis Intervention, case management, strategic planning, problem solving, conflict resolution, professional communication, identifying and collaborating with community stakeholders, and event planning
Competencies You Will Develop
Communication
Demonstrate sensitivity and empathy, Listen to and consider others' viewpoints, Maintain open lines of communication with others, Speak clearly, in precise language and in a logical, organized and coherent manner, Write cleary and effectively
Creativity & Problem Solving
Able to identify and define the problem, Capable of generating possible solutions, Communicate the problem to appropriate personnel, Improvise, Provide relevant expertise, Select and implement well-considered solution
Teamwork
Derive consensus, Develop constructive working relationships and maintain them over time, Establish a high degree of trust and credibility with others, Interact professionally and respectfully with supervisors and co-workers, Stay positive and outcome oriented, Use appropriate strategies and solutions for dealing with conflicts and differences to maintain a smooth workflow
Decisions
Accepts responsibility, Anticipate the consequences of decisions, Identify and prioritize the key issues involved to facilitate the decision making process, Involve people appropriately in decisions that may impact them, Quickly respond with a back-up plan if a decision goes amiss
Tools
Operate tools and equipment in accordance with established operating procedures, safety standards, and ethical guidelines
Planning
Able to prioritize various competing tasks, Create environment of contribution, Create plan of action, schedule tasks so that work is completed on time, Demonstrate the effective allocation of time and resources efficiently, Drive decision making, Facilitate group planning, Set goals
Service
Be pleasant, courteous, professional and respectful when dealing with internal and external customers or clients, Honor the privilege of being able to work with and for those being served, Provide personalized, prompt, and efficient service to meet the requirements, requests and needs of customers, Recognize the importance of maintaining privacy and confidentiality of those being served, Understand and anticipate the needs of others, Understand the importance of one's role in the functioning of the organization, Understand the significance of maintaining a healthful and safe environment