The Profession of Victim Advocacy: What It Is and Why We Need a National Movement August 15, 2017 Ms. Bette Inch, MSCP, CA Senior Victim Assistance Advisor DoD Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Office Jeannette Adkins, MEd, LPC, CA Chair, National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP) National Organization for Victim Assistance Board of Directors
Agenda Learning Objectives Collaboration Efforts Civilian Victim Advocacy History Military Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy History Satisfaction Crime Rates Why Professionalize? Current State How to Professionalize? Next Steps 2
Learning Objectives Objective 1: Recognize the steps taken thus far to professionalize the field of victim advocacy in both the civilian and military communities Objective 2: Fully understand the potential consequences of advancing the national field of victim advocacy to crime victims and for our country Objective 3: Communicate your perception of the current state of victim advocacy and the intended end state for the victim advocacy community 3
A warm smile and a sympathetic ear are no longer the only essential ingredients for becoming a victim service provider. Victimology By William G. Doerner, Steven P. Lab 4
Collaboration Efforts: Department of Defense National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP) National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Department of Defense, Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Office (DoD SAPRO) Joins Civilian and Military communities with experts and academia to: Develop National Standards Administer the Credentialing Process Establish Training Requirements Oversee Credentialing & Certification 5
Collaboration Efforts: National Advocate Credentialing Program National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP) provided consultation to the DoD SAPRO regarding development of a certification program for the military s sexual assault victim advocates in response to a congressional mandate for training and quality services in response to sexual assault in the military The National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) received a contract to administer the DoD Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP) to include screening, tracking, processing approvals and issuing credentials to applicants, consistent with national standards NACP and D-SAACP work collaboratively to provide and improve standardized and relevant introductory and continuing education training standards for all victim advocates and to continue professionalizing the field of advocacy NACP works with State Victim Assistance Academies to pre-approve their curricula as meeting NACP s minimum standards for introductory advocacy training. Over 40 training programs nationwide have been pre-approved to date 6
The crime victims rights movement has matured and become a respected partner in our Nation s community of social and criminal justice services. Yet the ideals of the movement have yet to be fully realized. There remain significant challenges to overcome before crime victims can be certain of a fair and compassionate response to their plight. For those who brought it into being, the victims movement is required to keep moving forward if its mission is to be realized. Dr. Marlene Young, The History of the Movement, OVC Oral History Project, NCVRW 2005 Silver Anniversary 7
Civilian Victim Advocacy History National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) developed program standards in the 1980s and a Code of Ethics for Victim Service Professionals adopted by the NOVA Board of Directors in 1996 NOVA initiated discussions regarding a national credentialing program with other national victim assistance organizations in April of 2001 in in Washington, D.C. National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP) launched in October of 2003 as the first voluntary credentialing program available to crime victim advocates nationwide NOVA serves as the secretariat of the NACP program Grandfathering of experienced advocates was in effect for the first two years of the program and expired October 31, 2005 in anticipation of possible testing for applicants NOVA requires a minimum of 40 hours of pre-service training, 32 hours of continuing education every two years and recognizes the advocates years of experience Over 6,000 advocates have applied for NACP civilian credentialing to date "Professional standards and ethics have been instrumental in guiding the victim assistance field to become the crime victim/survivor assistance profession." -- Anne Seymour, National Victim Advocate since 1984 8
NACP Original Co-Sponsors Mothers Against Drunk Driving National (MADD) National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) National Association of Crime Victim Compensation Boards (NACVB) National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators (NAVAA) National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) Ohio Advocate Network (OAN) Pennsylvania Coalition on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) 9
Benefits of Credentialing Promotes minimum standards of required preservice training Recognizes the direct service experience (paid, volunteer or internship) of Victim Advocates Provides standardized credentialing to Victim Advocates nationwide Encourages continuing education Offers mobility in the field Identifies professional Credentialed Advocates (CA) by displayed certificate, wallet card and use of the initials CA 10
Military Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy History History: Military Community FY12 NDAA required DoD establish a training and certification program for SARCs and SAPR VAs DoD SAPRO contracted with the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) to administer the DoD Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP) to include screening, tracking, processing approvals and issuing credentials to applicants, consistent with national standards Purpose Improve the quality of response to victims Implement standards. Infuse competence, character, and commitment to upholding the highest ethical standards for victim assistance Recognize advocacy as a respected profession by Service members Total applicants since 2012: 59,824 11
Satisfaction The MIJES asked respondents to indicate their satisfaction with responses provided by their SARC during the military justice process In the 2015 MIJES, 68% of victims indicated they were satisfied with the services provided by their SARC during the military justice process; in 2016, that number rose to 73% In 2015, 74% of respondents indicated they were satisfied with the services provided by their SAPR VA. Satisfaction with Services Provided by SARC and SAPR VA 2015 MIJES 2016 MIJES 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 2016 MIJES 2015 MIJES Satisfied with VA 75% 74% Satisfied with SARC 73% 68% 12
Satisfaction (cont.) The WGRA found that the majority of female victims indicated satisfaction with their SARCs; however, the data have not trended in any specific direction from 2012 to 2016 Satisfaction Among Women with Responses/Services Received from SARCs 2012 WGRA 2014 WGRA 2016 WGRA 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 2016 WGRA 2014 WGRA 2012 WGRA Dissatisfied 13% 11% 17% Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 22% 16% 16% Satisfied 64% 73% 68% From FY16 D-SAACP Goal Report 13
Satisfaction (cont.) Satisfaction with SAPR VAs has not trended in any particular direction, with the highest rate of satisfaction occurring in 2014 (74%) and the lowest rate of satisfaction occurring in 2016 (64%) The satisfaction rates for SAPR VAs are similar to those for SARCs Satisfaction Among Women with Responses/Service Received from SAPR VAs 2012 WGRA 2014 WGRA 2016 WGRA 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 2016 WGRA 2014 WGRA 2012 WGRA Dissatisfied 13% 10% 16% Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied 22% 15% 15% Satisfied 64% 74% 69% From FY16 D-SAACP Goals Report 14
Share of Type of Civilian Crime Reported in 2015 15
Why Professionalize? A profession arises when any trade or occupation transforms itself through the development of formal qualifications based upon education, apprenticeship, and examinations, the emergence of regulatory bodies with powers to admit and discipline members, and some degree of monopoly rights. -- Alan Bullock & Stephen Trombley, The New Fontana Dictionary of Modern Thought 16
Why Professionalize cont.? Define Profession: Founded upon specialized educational training For the purpose of providing counsel (support) and service to others For a direct and definite compensation, wholly apart from expectation of other business gains Medieval and early modern tradition recognized only three professions: divinity, medicine and law the so-called "learned professions" 17
Why Professionalize cont.? Major milestones which may mark an occupation being identified as a profession include: an occupation becomes a full-time occupation the establishment of a training school the establishment of a university school the establishment of a local association the establishment of a national association the introduction of codes of professional ethics the establishment of state licensing laws 18
Why Professionalize cont.? Professional Body: Self-Regulation Examinations Ethical Code Characteristics: High standards of excellence Autonomous: Freedom to exercise professional judgement Status: Occupational prestige Power Dominate, police, and protect its area of expertise and the conduct of its members Exercises influence over its entire field Any occupation wishing to exercise professional authority must find a technical basis for it, assert an exclusive jurisdiction, link both skill and jurisdiction to standards of training and convince the public that its services are uniquely trustworthy. -H.L. Wilensky 19
Why Professionalize cont.? Advocates provide support; advocacy within the multi-disciplinary systems, and help victims navigate complex, multi-faceted processes They must be professionals and experts in their field in order to interact credibly, and at the same level, with other professionals within these systems Advocacy requires advanced ethical decision making and problem solving capabilities, which must be based on a solid knowledge base coupled with sensitivity Advocates must embody the following values Character: Defined by the values of our professional code of ethics and military values Competency: External evaluation by those of the profession validates competence Commitment: Internal policing to ensure standards are followed and peer correction take place 20
Why Professionalize cont.? Bridge program with the National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP) allows military advocates to transfer skills to civilian victim service organizations The NACP Bridge application is utilized by those moving from military to civilian advocacy or those who want to add an NACP credential to their credentials. The Bridge will take the certified SARC or SAPR-VA from the current D-SAACP level to the equivalent NACP level Strengthens our country Professionalizing the profession of advocacy has a national and global impact and influences our culture 21
Current State: Victim Advocacy Core Competencies identified NACP offers specialty areas for credentialed advocates based upon basic and advanced training and to whom they provide services: Child Abuse Specialist Domestic Violence Specialist Drunk Driving Specialist Homicide Specialist Sexual Assault Specialist Campus Advocacy Specialist Comprehensive Services Specialist Program Management Specialist D-SAACP Department of Defense Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program is a separate program for DOD service members and DOD employees who serve as SARCs and SAPR VAs National Standards Exist Pride in victim services is evident 22
Current State: Victim Advocacy cont. 12,276 D-SAACP applications received 11,686 D-SAACP applications approved 760 SARCs approved 10,926 SAPR VAs approved Department of Defense Highlights FY16 6,000+ NACP applications received 40+ training programs have been NACP pre-approved NACP credentialed advocates may be recognized for their specialty area(s) National Highlights FY16 "The needs and concerns of crime survivors demand that we meet them with professionalism, dignity and respect for their individual lives, individual decision-making, and autonomy. -- Anne Seymour, National Crime Victim Advocate since 1984 23
Current State: Victim Advocacy cont. 24,000 Military CAs 6,000 Civilian CAs DAVAs & VAs 11,000 VOCA Funded Programs Professionalization of the field would make the field stronger 24
Current State: Feedback Being certified greatly assists the Command Team when issues arise as I am often asked for guidance on how to handle sexual harassment issues or if an issue is considered harassment, etc. Outstanding, thank you to all of you who work so hard to keep us going. It s essential for us to a have certification to legitimize the work we do. We re definitely heading in the right direction. The more emphasis we place on the issues, the better. NOVA s assistance was top notch. They were highly professional in answering all my questions. I believe this Certification/Education process is something that helps Soldiers even when they leave Military Service. I love that I am certified and will continue to voice the true ethical behavior of commitment to this Program. 25
Current State: Professional Comparisons cont. Attorneys Counselors Law Enforcement Personnel Victim Advocates Training Experience Standardized Exam Credential Verification by others in the Profession Continuing Education Oversight Board Credential Required For Job 26
Next Steps for Victim Advocacy What the Military is doing: Promoting D-SAACP credential by adding the designation of CA Recognizing specialty topic areas of victim assistance, i.e. Advocating for Military Men Developing verification tool to ensure new trainees demonstrate their ability to provide direct victim assistance What the Civilian Community is doing: Promoting standardized introductory training and continuing education Recognizing emerging specialty areas (e.g. campus advocacy) Encouraging becoming NACP credentialed in addition to other professional credentials for growing recognition of our field 27
Next Steps for Victim Advocacy cont. What you can do: Make State or National Credential a minimum requirement for hiring and on Position Descriptions As a program director, support credentialing of your advocates by including fees for credentialing and continuing education in your budget Display your credential and use the CA on your business card and in your signature line for correspondence Support national efforts to professionalize What we need to do together - Explore options to move forward on: Establishing Oversight Board Developing a standardized Core Exam Developing standardized Verification Tool by others in the Profession Develop Licensure as an allied professions 28
Learning Objectives Objective 1: Recognize the steps taken thus far to professionalize the field of victim advocacy in both the civilian and military communities Objective 2: Fully understand the potential consequences of advancing the national field of victim advocacy to crime victims and for our country Objective 3: Communicate perception of the current state of victim advocacy and their intended end state for the victim advocacy community YOU ARE THE FUTURE OF VICTIM ADVOCACY 29
Contact Information Contact Bette Inch Bette.m.inch.civ@mail.mil Senior Victim Assistance Advisor DoD Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Office Department of Defense Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program Contact Jeannette Adkins jmadkins84@aol.com National Advocate Credentialing Program National Organization for Victim Assistance www.thenacp.org credential@thenacp.org Get Help: 877-995-5247 www.safehelpline.org 30