Advocating For Victims

Who is advocating for victims? When a person is sexually assaulted, or beaten by their intimate partner, most often they are immediately thrown into the alien and sometimes hostile world of the criminal justice system. At such a moment when they are severely traumatized and feeling least able to make decisions, it can be critically important for them to have an advocate to monitor the conduct of law enforcement and to intervene on their behalf if that becomes necessary.

Here are some guidelines to help you advocate on your own case, of that of a friend, client, or relative. The specific legal provisions outlined here apply in Sonoma County, California, but remember, laws and law enforcement protocols vary from state to state and county to county. Some of those specifics might be different where you live.

Each of the below steps of advocating are vital for the victim, please read:

When the Police Arrive
The District Attorney Process
The Courtroom Process
Victim Tips "Do's and Don'ts"

All the information on this page and the steps attached have been created and provided by Tanya Brannan of www.purpleberets.org

Go to surviving-domestic-violence.org from Advocating For Victims