Advocating Tips For Victims

Here are some very important tips for victims as you advocate for yourself, or the victim in your life. Some "Do’s and Don’ts" as you move forward in the legal system.

Keep a folder with all the documents relating to your case in one place.

Never give away your only copy of anything; especially not to police, or D.A.'s office.

Keep notes or an ongoing telephone log, or other incidents and all contact with police and district attorney officials, noting time, date, witnesses, etc.

Take your own time making decisions. Don't let anyone pressure you for an answer — if they want to pressure you, it's probably because what they want to do is not in your interest.

Give your input to the probation officer preparing the bail report. This will be very soon after the arrest -- within two days of arraignment. This can help determine whether the perpetrator stays in custody or not, so it can be critical to the victim's safety.

Look at the jury when testifying in a trial.

When you write letters of complaint, always show on the letter (cc:) that copies have been sent to superiors within that department (i.e., the police sergeant, the Chief Deputy D.A.); to at least one outside person, or agency; to at least one women's group; and to the press if you want to take it that far.

When the defendant is convicted, the court usually orders a pre-sentencing report to be prepared by the probation department. The victim should request a sit-down meeting with the probation officer preparing that report rather than just input by telephone. Make sure they know everything about the history and the danger the perpetrator presents to the victim.

We always recommend that a victim make a statement at sentencing. If the victim doesn't want to read it them self, they can have someone read it in their place. We have seen this change a judge's sentence. It also gives the victim the sense that they did everything possible to protect them self.

All the information on this page regarding tips for victims - "do’s and don’ts" has been created and provided by Tanya Brannan of www.purpleberets.org

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