SAVAS
Melissa Palfrey, Community Relations Director
Outreach & Volunteer Advocate, Kendra Kaul
Each of our advocates are required to attend training for response to sexual assault cases/victims.
There is a power and privilege control in sexual assaults that advocates have recognized in the cases we work. Sexual assault often happens to vulnerable populations, as such, inclusion is an important strategy our advocates are continually supporting and promoting within our programs and services.
Advocates support survivors and help them navigate the justice system as well as help them utilize other community services. Creating, implementing and sustaining community partnerships with like agencies is also a role our sexual assault advocates take on including but not limited to serving as board or committee members, taking an advisory role with another agency, etc. This is to better serve and support victims as well as to stay abreast of community programs that may help contribute to the successes of our programs.
Sexual Assault victimization affects survivors, family members and friends. Advocates are trained to treat the victims and can also help the secondary victims as well. We can help the family as a whole, if a victim so chooses to share their story with their relatives and friends.
It has become a staple within our organization to promote self-care for our staff. Advocates experience vicarious (advocate) trauma from being situationally aware of and involved with an individual's victimization. We prepare our advocates for this trauma and educate them on self-care in their lives as well as strategies to cope with and heal from this type of trauma.
Source:
Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault "SAVAS Training"
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