Reading reflection

Webster defines an advocate as a person who supports or promotes the interests of a cause or group.

In victim services, advocates play a critical role in helping individuals whose lives have been disrupted and forever changed by crime.  Referencing this weeks readings, answer the following questions: 

• Is a systems-based advocate truly able to advocate for victims as defined above?
• Some community-based domestic violence organizations and rape crisis centers have been known to employ survivors.  Can you think of any potential risks to having a survivor work at these agencies in a direct services capacity?                                                                              

• When considering Websters definition, is there an advocacy role that would lend itself particularly well to a survivor?  In other words, in what ways might a survivor be effective in advocating for victims beyond a direct services role?                                                     
• Discuss systems-based advocacy, community-based advocacy and survivor-based advocacy as symbiotic.  In other words, how can different advocacy fields complement one another in promoting and advancing the interests of victims at large?