Posted on Sep 23, 2018
What is a Unit Victim's Advocate? What does a Unit Victim's Advocate actually do? Why is a Unit Victim's Advocate important?
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It has been over a decade since I sat in the classroom to learn about the Unit Victim's Advocate. However, I think defining the term 'Unit Victim's Advocate,' right here and right now, is actually very important. I am sure that there are more people on Rally Point with more up to date information or experience on a Unit Victim's Advocate to define it better than me. I hope they will comment.
The Victim's Advocate is a civilian appendage that law enforcement officers use after a survivor of a violent sexual assault or rape reports the incident to authorities. Victim's advocates are trained to 'build a bridge' with the victim to ensure that support is created, evidence of a crime is collected, and the perpetrator is brought to justice.
I think it is very fair to ask an additional question: what happens when government assumes the role of a Victim's Advocate or assumes the role of a law enforcement officer who may be trained to respond to a survivor of violent sexual assault or rape?
The Victim's Advocate is a civilian appendage that law enforcement officers use after a survivor of a violent sexual assault or rape reports the incident to authorities. Victim's advocates are trained to 'build a bridge' with the victim to ensure that support is created, evidence of a crime is collected, and the perpetrator is brought to justice.
I think it is very fair to ask an additional question: what happens when government assumes the role of a Victim's Advocate or assumes the role of a law enforcement officer who may be trained to respond to a survivor of violent sexual assault or rape?
Posted in these groups: 
Crime
Sexual Assault
Crime Sexual Assault
Edited 6 y ago
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 3
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Honestly, I have nothing of substance to contribute to this thread. I just find it interesting that the dozens of essay-writers obnoxiously responding to my recent posts are completely ignoring this one.
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Maybe some republican politicians, starting with our president, should take advantage of the expertise of a victim advocate so they don't tweet out shit like "if it was a bad as she says, she would have called the police" or another who said"she is mistaken" or "why should this matter because it didn't end up going anywhere" meaning she didn't actually get raped so what's the big deal. And lastly, how politicized is it when the republican leadership states that Kavanaugh will absolutely be confirmed after the hearing? They state up front that it doesn't matter what the woman says, how believable she is, that it won't make any difference anyway.
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I understand that there are different ways to look at this issue. The most important part of this additional hearing is that the alleged victim is heard.
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That term is no longer used as far as I understand. Not in the Army anyway. Now you have the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) or Victim Advocate (VA) at BN or BDE levels. The companies no longer have certified VAs but have trainers who do the annual training last I read. That may have changed.
I don't believe in the Army the civilians who are SARCs or VA's are called a UVA even. It's SARC or VA which used to be called a primary or alternate VA when I first went through SHARP training in 2013 - before the SHARP Academy (which started about 2 years ago). Now anyone who will be a SARC or VA has to go through the academy which is approximately six weeks and can be up to 15 I think.
In the civilian realm I have seen the "Victim Witness" section in police departments or at the courthouse and have victim advocates among them. I have dealt with them personally and professionally.
I was a company VA, then I was the BN VA for a short time. It was short because the male SFC who was the BN SARC got accused of sexual harassment...so he got relieved. I got bumped up. Then I was the BDE SARC for a few months until I had to PCS due to compassionate reassignment. I was the BN SARC for almost 2 years.
A victim advocate is clearly stated in the name: an advocate FOR the victim. That is our job - we are their voice. We are there solely to assist them. We do not determine if they are lying or truthful. We are there to assist them through the processes. That's it. That's the sole purpose of a VA. In any capacity.
I don't believe in the Army the civilians who are SARCs or VA's are called a UVA even. It's SARC or VA which used to be called a primary or alternate VA when I first went through SHARP training in 2013 - before the SHARP Academy (which started about 2 years ago). Now anyone who will be a SARC or VA has to go through the academy which is approximately six weeks and can be up to 15 I think.
In the civilian realm I have seen the "Victim Witness" section in police departments or at the courthouse and have victim advocates among them. I have dealt with them personally and professionally.
I was a company VA, then I was the BN VA for a short time. It was short because the male SFC who was the BN SARC got accused of sexual harassment...so he got relieved. I got bumped up. Then I was the BDE SARC for a few months until I had to PCS due to compassionate reassignment. I was the BN SARC for almost 2 years.
A victim advocate is clearly stated in the name: an advocate FOR the victim. That is our job - we are their voice. We are there solely to assist them. We do not determine if they are lying or truthful. We are there to assist them through the processes. That's it. That's the sole purpose of a VA. In any capacity.
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