Role of the Victim Advocate
This video training was created by NRCAC in collaboration with Western Regional Children's Advocacy Center as an orientation tool for both current and incoming MDT members. This training highlights the importance of victim advocates, what victim advocates do for children and families, and the role of the victim advocate on the MDT.
Victim Advocacy Guidelines, 2019
Victim Advocacy Guidelines will help you expand and enhance your Victim Advocacy services. It was developed by the Regional Children’s Advocacy Centers, in collaboration with NCA and the National Children’s Advocacy Center (NCAC).
IN PERSON TRAINING
NOVA Victim Assistance Academy
The first in-person Training Academy is scheduled for Winter 2017. For more information visit the NOVA website.
Training for Advocates Working in a Child Advocacy Center
Core 3 day training, available in Duluth on specific days. Contact the First Witness Child Advocacy Center for more information.
Victim Advocacy in the Child Advocacy Center
Core 3 day training, available in Huntsville, AL on specific days. Customized on-location available upon request. Contact the National Children’s Advocacy Center for more information.
ONLINE TRAINING
Accreditation Bootcamp
Accreditation Bootcamp is designed to provide an overview of the accreditation process, provide participants with a framework for developing their application, and help them understand what to expect during a site visit.
Child Victim Web
This is a free online course comprised of eight 1-hour modules. The topics covered include: Scope, impact, assessment, and development of evidence based treatment plans for victimized youth and their families.
EduNet 2.0 Webinar Series
Midwest Regional EduNet is a series of expert lectures on a variety of multidisciplinary topics. They are free of charge and are available for all MDT members.
NCAC Virtual Training Center
Free online trainings are offered on a variety of topics featuring experts on child abuse-related topics. These webinars can be viewed live or through an archive of recorded sessions.
NOVA Victim Assistance Academy
The NOVA Victim Assistance Academy (NVAA) is a forty-hour live distance learning training for aspiring and new victim assistance professionals.
Victim Assistance Training
VAT Online is a foundational Web-based victim assistance training program that offers victim service providers and allied professionals the opportunity to acquire the essential skills and knowledge they need to more effectively assist victims of crime.
Other Resources
A Guide for Friends and Family of Sexual Assault Survivors
The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape released this guide to help friends and family of sexual assault survivors understand their loved one's trauma and its potential effects, as well as how to help prevent sexual violence.
Confidentiality Laws by State
A pdf document listing out a Summary of U.S. State Laws Related to Advocate Confidentiality.
Field Guide to Family Advocacy
Children's Advocacy Center's of Mississippi and West Virginia Child Advocacy Network have collaborated in creating a comprehensive document, the Field Guide to Family Advocacy, to help build a knowledge foundation for the Victim Advocate. There is also a companion manual for supervisors to use to help the advocates they supervise effectively utilize the Field Guide.
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) brings a singular and comprehensive focus to childhood trauma. NCTSN’s collaboration of frontline providers, researchers, and families is committed to raising the standard of care while increasing access to services. Combining knowledge of child development, expertise in the full range of child traumatic experiences, and dedication to evidence-based practices, the NCTSN changes the course of children’s lives by changing the course of their care.
National Children's Advocacy, @copy; 2016. Victim Advocacy: A Selected Bibliography
This bibliography was prepared by the research librarian of the National Children’s Advocacy Center’s Child Abuse Library Online (CALiO™) in consultation with the NCAC forensic interviewers for the purpose of research and education, and for the convenience of our readers.
The Advocates Guide for Working with Parents of Children who have been Sexually Abused
This guide is designed for sexual assault program advocates working with non-offending parents and/or caregivers of children who have experienced sexual assault. The suggestions and strategies are intended for use with children under the age of 13.
Serving Teen Survivors: A Manual for Advocates
By the National Sexual Violence Resource Center
Victim Advocacy Services Linkage Agreement, RCAC, 2019
Victim Rights Laws by State
VictimLaw is a searchable database of victims' rights legal provisions including federal, state, and territorial statutes, tribal laws, state constitutional amendments, court rules, administrative code provisions, and summaries of related court decisions and attorney general opinions.
QUESTIONS?
Didn’t see what you were looking for? Have a question?
Email michele@nrcac.org for more information.
Disclaimer: The resources provided are not an exhaustive list and more may be added in the future. Additionally, many are links to outside websites, which may, from time to time, update their content.