By Kathy Hieatt | 08/17/2026
Whether it’s a home break-in or a sexual assault, crime victims can be left with physical, financial, and emotional injuries, but they don’t have to be alone thanks to victim advocates.
Victim advocates have specialized training to provide support to people affected by violent crime, offering emotional support, guidance navigating the legal system, information on their rights, and resources, according to Victim Support Services (VSS), a Washington-based advocacy group.
“When someone goes through something traumatic, they don’t know what’s going to happen next,” said Kay Riley, a Sexual Assault Crime Victim Advocate in Spokane, Washington. “They don’t know how to go to the police. They don’t know how to file a restraining order. They don’t know what the court process is. They might be scared to go alone.”
Victim advocates fill that role.
The Rise of Victim Advocates
Victim advocacy started in the 1970s, with the first national workshop in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1974, according to a history by the National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA). NOVA formed the next year.
Still, it took years for victim advocates to become widely available. NOVA launched the first national credentialing program in 2003, and has received over 10,000 applications since.
Those resources were sorely needed, said Kerry Erisman, Legal Studies Department Chair at American Military University (AMU), part of American Public University System. When Erisman served as a U.S. Army police officer in the 1980s, officers received no training on responding to cases with victims of violent crime, and victim advocates were few.
“We were the first line responders to rape cases, very traumatic cases, and other than showing compassion, we didn’t really have any training or good background on how to support them and get them help,” Erisman said. “We would just sit down with them at a desk and say, ‘tell me what happened.’ You would never do that today.”
Now the Army Special Victims Counsel meets that mission, and it’s made a vast difference in the way first responders engage with crime victims, especially in cases of sexual violence, Erisman said.
What Do Victim Advocates Do?
Victim advocates provide a myriad of services, which vary depending on the situation and the needs of the client, according to VSS. These can include:
- Crisis intervention
- Emotional support
- Resources and referrals
- Assistance applying for Crime Victims Compensation
- Information on criminal justice processes, legal rights, and protections
- Intervention with landlords, creditors, and employers
- Help making funeral/memorial arrangements
- Safety planning
- Escort to law enforcement interviews, medical forensic examinations, and courtroom proceedings
They support people who have been the victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking, and other traumatic crimes.
Victim advocates may be paid or volunteer and primarily fall into two categories: community-based and system-based, according to “Effective Victim Advocacy Within the Criminal Justice System” by the nonprofit advocacy group End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI).
Community-Based Victim Advocacy
Community-based victim advocates work for a “private, autonomous, often non-profit” organization, such as a social services agency, campus group, or rape crisis center. In contrast, system-based advocates work for a government agency, such as a police department or prosecutor’s office. Their focuses differ, but both play an important role.
Community-based advocates’ sole focus is the interests of the person and their support system, such as the parents of a juvenile victim, according to EVAWI.
“Thus, advocates may provide services and advocacy for victims within the criminal justice system, but they will also offer assistance in other areas such as school, work, housing, mental health, emergency financial assistance, etc.,” according to EVAWI.
These services may also include providing access to a 24-hour hotline, longer-term counseling, and support groups to assist with the healing process.
Systems-Based Victim Advocacy
In contrast, the responsibility of system-based advocates is to “support victims in their role as a witness to a crime participating in the law enforcement investigation and criminal prosecution,” according to EVAWI.
While they may provide many of the same resources as community-based advocates, system-based advocates must balance those needs with the interests of the criminal justice system, such as prosecuting an abuser.
A system-based advocate may be more likely to encourage a victim to undergo a medical exam to preserve evidence, file a police report, and participate in interviews with law enforcement. A community-based advocate would present the advantages and disadvantages of taking those steps without encouraging a particular course of action.
Steps To Become A Victim Advocate
Education, Training, and Credentialing
The credentials and training for victim advocates vary by state and specialty. NOVA’s voluntary credentialing program—the National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP)—requires:
- Completion of an approved training course
- At least 3,900 hours providing direct services to victims and survivors of crime (for basic credential)
- Signed Code of Professional Ethics for Victim Services Providers
- 3 letters of recommendation
Taking the initiative to obtain certification demonstrates your expertise and commitment to best practices and providing quality, ethical care to victims. It may also bolster your employment prospects. Once credentialed through NOVA, you’ll need 32 hours of continuing education every two years to renew.
State-Specific Requirements
States have their own training and certification requirements. Most mandate a 40-hour foundational advocacy course that covers topics such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse laws.
In Washington, victim advocates need 40 hours of training through the Office for Victims of Crime and must undergo an FBI background check to escort victims to medical forensic exams, Riley said.
A few state-specific training and certification programs include:
- Texas Victim Assistance Training (TVAT) Online through the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
- Victim Services Practitioner Designation Training course through the Office of the Attorney General of Florida
- California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation training
- Georgia Advocate Certification Program
- North Carolina Victim Assistance Network (NCVAN) Victim Service Practitioner Certification Academy
Common Qualifications for Victim Advocates
In addition to specialized training, many agencies require a background check for candidates who will be providing service to victims. An associate degree is typically sufficient for entry-level positions, while a bachelor's or master's degree is standard for higher-level professional roles.
More Advocates Needed to Improve Victim Assistance
While the field has come a long way, more advocates are needed. The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics in 2017 estimated there were just 12,200 victim services providers (VSPs) nationwide, split almost evenly between system-based and community-based workers.
“It’s 100 times better than it had been, but it’s still not perfect,” Erisman said. “They are out there, but there are just so many cases. If you could talk to victims, they still don’t feel like they’re getting the full support or getting the justice that they deserve.”
More diversity is also essential, Riley said.
“Everyone wants someone like them in the hospital room with them or on the phone with them,” they said. “Like, right now, we only have two men in the assault center volunteering. It would be significantly better if there were more because the percentage for men is not as high, but is almost as high, as women, and I think people don’t realize that.”
What Makes A Good Victim Advocate
NOVA has six pillars of victim advocacy, which serve as guiding principles for the profession:
- Knowledge
- Compassion
- Integrity
- Empowerment
- Collaboration
- Respect
Empathy, problem solving skills, good communication, and a working knowledge of the criminal justice system are critical, Erisman said. A great resource is the Directory of Crime Victim Services, a searchable database maintained by the U.S. Department of Justice.
Education, sympathy, and open-mindedness are important, said Riley, who studied the field as part of their interdisciplinary studies coursework at the University. Victim advocates must be able to respectfully work with people of all ages, backgrounds, and gender and sexual identities, including transgender persons.
A first step in deciding whether victim advocacy is the field for you is to volunteer, such as for a local support group or crisis hotline, Riley said. An internship in law enforcement or victims’ services can also provide valuable experience.
The Importance of Self-Care
Victim advocates can experience vicarious trauma in their work, especially if they've been victims themselves, so self-care is important, Riley said. This can include therapy, setting boundaries, and maintaining work-life balance to maintain your emotional well-being and prevent burnout.
Studying Victim Advocacy at AMU
If you’re looking to become a victim advocate, higher education can further your professional development. Victim advocates may benefit from pursuing a degree in criminal justice, legal studies, social work, or psychology.
AMU's Interdisciplinary Studies Program includes a victim advocacy course. Taught by Legal Studies staff, the course prepares students to:
- Provide assistance to crime victims
- Understand what a victim advocate is and their rights and responsibilities
- Navigate the criminal justice system, including civil and criminal litigation
- Help victims move toward successful recovery
- Work in victim advocacy areas such as crisis hotlines and domestic violence shelters
- Enhance knowledge of legal terminology, legal processes, legislation regarding victims’ rights, effects of victimization, victim advocate skills, and crisis intervention
Taking a variety of classes will make you a better victim advocate, Riley said. They recommend the University’s addiction studies course because abuse and addiction often go hand-in-hand, in addition to classes in subjects such as cultural diversity, criminal justice, and social work.
One of the primary reasons Riley chose the University was because of its convenient online learning format, which fit their learning style and schedule.
Quality, convenience, and affordability are the foundation of AMU, and approved courses may count toward victim advocate credentialing. Start your journey today by requesting more information on the AMU interdisciplinary studies program at AMU.edu.