The act of providing information, emotional support, referrals to social service agencies, and assistance to a person who has been the victim of a crime. The type of advocacy provided differs depending on the setting in which advocacy services are provided. For example, community based advocacy programs may provide accompaniment for medical services or meetings with law enforcement. A court based advocacy program may assist with obtaining restraining orders or accompaniment to court proceedings.
The contents of this glossary is funded in part through a sub-award from RTI as the lead partner for the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence through a Cooperative Agreement from the National Institute of Justice (2011-DN-BX-K564 and 2016-MU-BK-K110), Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Neither the U.S. Department of Justice nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse, this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies and any services or tools provided).