Advocacy: An Essential Tool for Survivors

We talk about the importance of advocacy and support for victims and survivors quite often at Someplace Safe, and we see first-hand each and every day how important an Advocate can be in the lives of survivors. This month, let’s dig more into advocacy and why it can be so crucial to so many.

Advocacy support can have a profound impact on survivors of trauma, helping them to navigate the complex legal, medical, and emotional challenges they face. Advocates can provide survivors with information about their rights and options, help them to access essential services, and offer emotional support and guidance.

Advocacy support helps survivors in a variety of ways, including:

• Increasing safety and security: Advocates can help survivors to develop safety plans, assess their risk of harm, and connect with resources to protect themselves from further abuse.
• Improving access to justice: Advocates can help survivors to understand the legal system, navigate the process of reporting crimes, and prepare for court appearances.
• Promoting healing and well-being: Advocates can provide survivors with emotional support, connect them with mental health services, and help them to develop coping mechanisms.
• Empowering survivors: Advocates can help survivors to make informed decisions about their lives, assert their rights, and advocate for themselves and others.

Studies have shown that advocacy support can have a significant positive impact on survivors’ lives. For example, one study found that survivors who received advocacy support were more likely to report crimes to the police, obtain protective orders, and seek mental health treatment.

Additional benefits experience by survivors who access advocacy support include:

• Reduced trauma symptoms: Survivors who receive advocacy support may experience fewer symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.
• Improved physical health: Survivors who receive advocacy support may have better overall physical health, including reduced rates of chronic disease and substance abuse.
• Increased economic security: Survivors who receive advocacy support may be more likely to maintain employment and achieve financial stability.
• Enhanced social connections: Survivors who receive advocacy support may have stronger social ties and feel more connected to their communities.

Overall, advocacy support is an essential tool for helping survivors of trauma to heal, rebuild their lives, and achieve justice. If you or someone you know is in need of advocacy and support, contact Someplace Safe at 800-974-3359.