Читать книгу Criminology For Dummies - Steven Briggs - Страница 75

In the immediate aftermath of a violent crime, a victim may be traumatized and unable to make even the most basic decisions. To provide help to victims of violence, many police departments employ victim advocates, who offer the victims the support and resources they need to take the first steps of their recoveries.

Imagine a woman who was beaten up by her boyfriend. After the police haul him away, what will she do about her injury? Who will take care of her kids while she’s in the hospital? What if her boyfriend gets out of jail and comes back? An advocate can help the abused woman answer these tough questions. For example, the advocate may help her think of family members who can take care of her children. Or the advocate may recommend a domestic violence shelter where she and her children can live temporarily to protect themselves against the abuser in case he comes back home.

If a police department doesn’t employ advocates, often police officers are in the position of trying to help victims cope with these challenges. The department may also call on trained volunteers.

Prosecutor offices usually employ victim advocates, as well. Like advocates in police departments, these advocates may help victims get emergency services. In addition, they help explain the court process to victims, often sitting with them through hearings. After all, sitting in a courtroom with the man who raped you can be very intimidating. Having an advocate hold your hand can make a big difference. Another important service an advocate in the prosecutor’s office provides is explaining to the victim what rights she has. (I discuss these rights in the “Observing the Laws That Protect Victims’ Rights” section.)

Another type of victim advocate helps victims after the court case is done. For instance, this person may notify the victim when the criminal is set to be released from jail or prison. Some states have a statewide automated victim notification system that allows a victim to call a phone number and find out if and when a criminal is scheduled to be released. Victims, however, often don’t know about this system or don’t know how to use it, so advocates help them. Advocates also may help victims deal with unwanted contact from criminals while they’re on probation or parole.

Because each state is different, all these services may be performed by a variety of people in different agencies, or perhaps by just one overworked person in a small police department. These government advocate positions often rely heavily on private organizations and volunteers for the bulk of services.