Victim advocacy focuses on supporting victims of violence and crime throughout the criminal justice process. Victim advocates, also called victim service providers (VSPs), are professionals or volunteers who provide comprehensive support to crime victims, helping them navigate the often overwhelming aftermath of a crime.

According to a federal statute, a victim advocate provides services and support to victims of any crime. These professionals work in settings that include law enforcement agencies, prosecutors’ offices, nonprofit organizations, hospitals, and community centers.

This resource guide provides an overview of victim advocacy that is intended to facilitate the work of advocates, service providers, and allied professionals in strengthening trauma-informed, victim-centered responses.

Definitions and Core Responsibilities of Victim Advocates

Many organizations that work with victims, including the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), define victim assistance broadly to include both victim services and victim advocacy.

Victim Services vs. Victim Advocacy

Victim services and victim advocacy are closely related, and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are distinct. The key difference between victim services and victim advocacy is that the former refers to what is being provided to victims, and the latter refers to the act of speaking and acting on behalf of victims:

• Victim services encompass all of the direct support and resources provided to victims of crimes or traumatic events to help them recover and navigate their immediate needs. Its focus is to stabilize victims, meet their urgent needs, and support their healing.

• Victim advocacy is the work of representing, supporting, and amplifying victims’ rights and voices within the systems that affect them. Under this definition, victim advocates ensure that victims are treated fairly, are informed, and are empowered within institutions.

In practice, the distinction between the work of the professionals in victim services and victim advocacy is often blurred. Victim advocates often provide victim services, and victim services programs often include advocacy as one component among other services.

What Does a Victim Advocate Do?

The core responsibilities of a victim advocate include the following:

• Determining victims’ needs

• Referring victims to community services such as crisis intervention, safety planning, compensation support, and information about victims’ rights

• Acting as liaisons with law enforcement or prosecutors

• Attending court hearings

• Providing emotional support

• Advocating for individuals navigating the criminal justice system

“Victim” vs. “Survivor” Terminology

Within advocacy, some organizations prefer to use the term “survivor” instead of “victim.” “Victim” is typically used in law enforcement or the legal system, as it serves as a technical indicator that the individual has been abused or has experienced criminal harm, whether that be physical, verbal, emotional, financial, or sexual harm.

”Survivor,” in contrast, is intended as a person-focused term to emphasize the humanity, strength, courage, and hope of the person seeking advocacy services. The OVC notes that the terms “survivor” and “survivor-informed” can also refer to indirect victims of a crime, such as victims’ family members and loved ones, seeking support and advocacy.

In victim advocacy, most organizations say that the best practice for those working directly with individuals and families affected by crime is to use the terminology that the individuals and families prefer.

How to Become a Victim Advocate

Victim advocates typically need a combination of formal education and practical experience.

Degree Programs

Victim advocacy requires interdisciplinary expertise, including knowledge in areas such as social sciences, human services, and law. Because of this, degree programs that prepare students to become victim advocates are in varied disciplines, from social work to criminal justice, psychology, and sociology.

• Criminal justice degree programs focus on victims’ rights, legal processes, working with law enforcement, and navigating the justice system.

• Psychology degree programs help students develop an understanding of the emotional and behavioral effects of trauma.

• Sociology degree programs emphasize broad social and structural factors that contribute to victimization and violence.

• Social work degree programs teach trauma-informed practice, cultural competency, case management, and crisis intervention skills.

In addition to pursuing a formal education, effective preparation for victim advocacy almost always calls for real-world professional experience.

Internships, practicums, or supervised volunteer roles in shelters and courts, at crisis hotlines, or through community-based organizations are especially important for gaining specialized advocacy training and direct experience in supporting survivors.

Training and Certification Programs

The National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP) , hosted by the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA), is a nonprofit program that trains and supports victim advocates. It launched in 2003 as the first voluntary credentialing program for crime victim advocates nationwide.

The NACP credentials recognize standardized training and experience in victim advocacy, helping those who serve or seek to serve crime victims and survivors establish professional credibility. Credentials are based on direct service hours: provisional, basic (3,900 hours), intermediate (7,800 hours), and advanced (15,600 hours). The credentials require 32 hours of continuing education every two years.

The list of NACP preapproved introductory advocacy trainings includes training courses that meet the minimum requirements for advocates seeking professional credentialing through the NACP.

These advocacy certification training courses include:

• NOVA Victim Assistance Academy (NVAA) : This 40-hour virtual training is offered twice yearly (in spring and fall) and covers 20 integral topics that provide a comprehensive trauma-informed foundation.

• Center for Legal Studies (CLS) Victim Advocacy Certificate Course—Online : The CLS offers an online certification program that is NACP-approved for its provisional credential minimum. It covers the legal process, advocacy skills, and various crime types.

• Forty-Five-Hour Crime Victim Advocates Course : This online 45-hour professional training course for crime victim advocates is offered through Strand Squared Advocacy Academy. Coursework in the training focuses on human-centered approaches, trauma-responsive practices, and preparedness to work in settings like domestic violence shelters, crisis centers, hotlines, and government victim services.

• ReInVentU Victim Advocacy Certificate Course : The strategic support and training offered in this course is primarily for employees of nonprofit and mission-driven organizations, including veteran-led groups. ReInVentU offers a dedicated victim advocacy course.

Victim Advocate Federal Organizations to Know

Aspiring and current victim advocates should learn about the federal organizations and research programs that support research on victim advocacy in the United States.

• Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) : This federal agency oversees victim assistance programs and grants. It also oversees the Crime Victims Fund balance of over $3.5 billion as of September 2025, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week materials, tool kits for various victim populations, and funding opportunities.

• BJS Victim Services Statistical Research Program : The U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) runs the Victim Services Statistical Research Program, which collects data on victim service providers and staff who deliver services to crime victims, including those who perform advocacy. Historical data sets on victim services support staff conducted by the BJS include:

• National Census of Victim Service Providers (NCVSP) : This census describes the basic characteristics of the organizations and programs serving victims, including the number of workers in victim service provider roles. The most recent census was conducted in 2017.

• National Survey of Victim Service Providers (NSVSP) : This national survey follows up with victim service providers identified in the NCVSP to gain more detailed insights. The NSVSP gathers comprehensive data on the victim services field, including the types of services offered, the demographics of victims served, the characteristics of the professionals delivering those services, and areas where services are lacking. The most recent survey was conducted in 2019.

• National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) : This national survey collects data on nonfatal personal crimes and household property crimes. Through this survey, victim advocates can gain insights into victims’ experiences with the criminal justice system, including any experiences with victim service providers or victim advocacy resources. The most recent survey was conducted in 2024.

• NCVS Instrument Redesign : The BJS is currently overhauling its legacy NCVS and replacing it with a new instrument. Starting in 2024, the BJS collected data using both the legacy NCVS, for continuity, and a new NCVS, but the new instrument findings have yet to be released.

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Victim Services Division : This agency has provided crisis intervention, emergency travel assistance, and referrals for counseling, housing, and other services to nearly 2 million victims since 2001. Its programs include:

• Victim Assistance Program (field offices nationwide)

• Terrorism and Special Jurisdictions program

• Child Exploitation Notification Program

• Child Victim Services

• Victim Services Response Team (crisis/mass casualty deployment)

• FBI Jobs, Victim Services Careers : Agencies like the FBI include victim advocate professional roles within its federal employment listings, such as victim specialist and victim service coordinator roles.

Statistics on Criminal Victimization and Victim Services Use

Victim advocates can equip themselves to support victims by learning about the crime victimization rates and recent victim services use trends. Consider some statistics regarding criminal victimization, domestic violence, sexual assault, and victim services use.

Criminal Victimization Statistics

The BJS’s criminal victimization report shows that, in 2024:

• Of all persons age 12 or older, 1.45% experienced at least one violent victimization, similar to 2023.

• There were 23.3 violent victimizations per 1,000 persons age 12 or older.

• The rate of violent victimizations reported to police was 11.2 per 1,000 persons age 12 or older.

• A larger percentage of persons ages 12 to 17 experienced one or more violent crimes in 2024 (1.95%) than in 2023 (1.45%).

• The report found no significant changes in the rates of domestic violence, intimate partner violence, or stranger violence in 2024 compared to 2023.

Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence Statistics

The BJS’s NCVS domestic violence data shows that, in 2024:

• 782,900 domestic violence victimizations occurred.

• 1,110,040 intimate partner violence victimizations occurred.

• Over half of intimate partner violence victimizations (61%) and domestic violence victimizations (64%) were reported to police.

Sexual Assault Services and Statistics

According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), the largest anti-sexual violence nonprofit organization in the United States, as of 2024, statistics on victims of sexual violence across the country included:

• An estimated 423,020 people age 12 and older experience sexual violence each year.

• Every 68 seconds, a perpetrator sexually assaults a victim.

• One in six women and 1 in 33 men experience attempted or completed rape in their lifetimes.

Victim Services Use Statistics

According to BJS’s National Crime Victimization Survey results , here is a snapshot of the victim services use by crime type in 2024 compared to the previous year:

• There was an increase in victim services use in rape/sexual assault crime cases, up from 14.7% in 2023 to 17.8% in 2024.

• There was an increase in victim services use in robbery crime cases, up from 8.2% in 2023 to 15.6% in 2024.

• There was a decrease in victim services use in aggravated assault crime cases, down from 8.6% in 2023 to 5.8% in 2024.

• There was a decrease in victim services use in simple assault crime cases, down from 7.7% in 2023 to 6.7% in 2024.

What effect does advocacy have on victims? Research from the U.K. shows that victims with advocacy support are 49% less likely to withdraw from the criminal justice process, highlighting the critical role advocates play in keeping victims engaged while they seek justice.

Resources

Nonprofit organizations support victim advocates by providing them with training, certification programs, tool kits, and ongoing professional development. Many national and community-based nonprofits also set best-practice standards, offer continuing education, and connect advocates to peer networks and funding opportunities.

The following organizations are widely recognized for their leadership in victim advocacy and survivor-centered services.

National Victim Advocacy Resources

• National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA): This organization provides training, technical assistance, and professional development for victim advocates. It also operates the Victim Advocacy Corps program for college students. Student fellows from minority serving institutions can receive training, mentorship, and paid field placements. NOVA’s specialized programs include:

• National Advocacy Leadership Center (NALC): Online training for all levels

• Campus Advocacy program

• Military Advocacy program

• Youth Advocacy Leadership Center (YALC)

• Office for Victim Advocacy Ethics

• Community Crisis Response Team training

• National Center for Victims of Crime: This major nonprofit organization focuses on supporting people who have been harmed by crime and on improving how systems respond to them. It offers round-the-clock crisis support, training conferences, and attorney referral services.

• Equal Justice Works Crime Victims Advocacy Program: This advocacy group mobilizes lawyers and law students to increase legal aid access for crime survivors.

• RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) : As the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the country, RAINN offers many different kinds of resources to victim advocates, including the TALK best practice guide on speaking with survivors of sexual assault (thank them for telling you, ask how you can help, listen without judgment, and keep supporting them). RAINN also hosts the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline , which connects victims of sexual assault with victim advocates.

• National Domestic Violence Hotline : This free, confidential, round-the-clock support service is for anyone affected by domestic or relationship abuse. To contact the round-the-clock confidential service, call 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788.

• National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) : This comprehensive source of information is intended to improve community response and prevent domestic violence. It offers numerous programs including the Safe Housing Partnerships and the RHY Relationship Violence Toolkit for runaway or homeless youth.

North Carolina Victim Advocacy Resources

Each state also has victim advocacy groups. Here are several victim advocacy resources in North Carolina that support survivors or advocates:

• North Carolina SAVAN Victim Support Services : North Carolina’s Statewide Automated Victim Assistance and Notification (SAVAN) program is a round-the-clock service that offers offender status notifications and connects victims with local assistance resources. To contact the service, call 1-877-NC SAVAN (1-877-627-2826).

• North Carolina O ffice of Victim Compensation Services : The North Carolina Department of Public Safety provides financial support for victims of violent crime. To contact the department call 1-800-826-6200.

• North Carolina Victim Assistance Network : This nonprofit advocates for victims of violent crime and offers trauma-informed support, training opportunities, peer support, and policy advocacy.

• Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Project (DVSA) : Legal Aid of North Carolina offers legal advocacy and representation for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault while collaborating with community providers in the state.

• MADD North Carolina, Victim Services : This organization provides round-the-clock victim specialist support and advocacy for victims of violent crimes, particularly crimes related to impaired-driving incidents. To contact the organization, call 1-877-MADD-HELP (1-877-623-3435).

• Victim Services Unit, City of Durham : This department provides direct, confidential assistance, advocacy, referrals, safety planning, and court accompaniment to crime victims in Durham, North Carolina.

Many counties and cities in North Carolina also have local victim/witness assistance programs, crisis centers, and community-based advocates (for example, hotlines, shelters, and court accompaniment) that can be found through county district attorney offices or statewide directories.

Support Survivors as a Victim Advocate

Victim advocacy plays a vital role in ensuring that individuals affected by crime are treated with dignity, informed of their rights, and supported as they navigate complex systems. Whether the advocacy takes place in courts, hospitals, community organizations, or police spaces, its core purpose remains the same: to center victims’ voices, reduce barriers to justice and services, and promote safety, healing, and empowerment.

By combining direct support with systems-level advocacy, victim advocates help bridge gaps in services and work toward creating more responsive institutions. Their continued collaboration, education, and commitment to best practices help advance victim advocacy and ensure that all victims and survivors have access to the support and protections they deserve.