Victim Advocate

CRIME VICTIMS ASSISTANCE CENTER INC•City of Binghamton, NY

1d•$21 - $21•Onsite

About The Position

Victim Advocate is responsible for providing trauma-informed advocacy, support, information, and case coordination to children, youth, adult victims, and non-offending caregivers impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and other crimes. The Advocate serves as a liaison between clients and community systems, helping individuals navigate the criminal justice system, family court, child welfare, medical, and community-based services while promoting safety, empowerment, and access to resources.

Requirements

Minimum of an Associate’s degree in Human Services, Criminal Justice, or a related field and/or experience working with victims of crime, children and families, domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, or trauma-affected populations accepted.
Knowledge of trauma-informed care, victim advocacy, crisis intervention, and community resources.
Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and multidisciplinary partners.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
Valid driver's license and insurance required.
Successful candidate must complete the agency's required 40-hour Crisis Intervention Training, along with an additional 10 hours of agency-specific training.
Position requires participation in the agency's hospital advocacy program, including a minimum of two eight-hour on-call hospital advocacy shifts per month.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services, Criminal Justice, or a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, advocacy, & safety planning to victims of crime and their family members.
Assist clients in identifying needs, accessing resources, overcoming barriers, and connecting with community supports, including counseling, housing, legal assistance, medical care, financial assistance, transportation, and other supportive services.
Provide advocacy, accompaniment, and support throughout criminal justice proceedings, family court proceedings, Child Advocacy Center services, medical appointments, and other systems impacting clients and families.
Educate clients and family members regarding victim rights, court processes, investigations, available services, and community resources.
Assist clients with victim compensation applications, victim impact statements, Family Offense Petitions, Orders of Protection, restitution requests, and other victim-related legal or administrative processes.
Coordinate and collaborate with law enforcement, prosecutors, probation officers, child protective services, medical providers, schools, mental health providers, and other multidisciplinary partners to ensure coordinated, victim-centered services.
Support child victims and non-offending caregivers throughout forensic interviews, multidisciplinary team investigations, and related Child Advocacy Center services by providing information, advocacy, education and ongoing support.
Provide hospital, emergency department, law enforcement, court, and community-based response and advocacy services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, and other crimes as assigned.
Utilize and maintain the agency data tracking systems to document services, monitor client progress, and support program reporting requirements accurately and timely.
Develop, maintain, and distribute educational materials related to victim rights, safety planning, available services, and community resources.
Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, case reviews, court-related meetings, community outreach activities, educational panels, and professional development opportunities as required.
Promote trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and client-centered practices in all interactions with clients, families, community partners, and colleagues.
Perform other related duties as assigned by supervisor(s).