| You have decided being a domestic violence | | | | workers to therapists and attorneys. Working in a |
| advocate is your calling in life. Your reasons are | | | | shelter environment can be empowering for a new |
| personal and varied.. You have worked out the ethics | | | | advocate. You will be working with others who share |
| and appropriateness of your choice. You have | | | | your passion and ideals. You will have access to |
| established your boundaries. You may be a survivor | | | | varied trainings and you will be exposed to all ages |
| and wish to provide assistance to others but know | | | | and specialized populations. Assess how you can be |
| you cannot use the job as your own personal | | | | most effective. Are you better with small children, |
| therapy. You may have the desire to provide | | | | teens or adults? Are you better with public speaking |
| resources and empowerment to those escaping a | | | | and networking or do you prefer one-on-one |
| violent situation but you understand that you aren't a | | | | interactions? |
| savior or rescuer. You may wish to educate | | | | Domestic violence victim advocacy jobs are now |
| segments of the population, public or professional, | | | | embedded in almost every area of public service |
| but have learned that being an expert doesn't | | | | from local police, courts and health care settings to |
| preclude listening and learning. | | | | state and federal government entities to regional and |
| Grassroots advocacy back in "the day", the 60's | | | | national associations and commissions. There are |
| through the early 80's, involved concerned individuals | | | | independent or consultant opportunities or it can be |
| filling a need. Community programs and women's | | | | an area of expertise within a standard profession |
| movements- some underground- were happy to | | | | such as a journalist or an attorney. |
| have volunteers or employees with the right motives | | | | Spend time assessing what is available. Find out what |
| who were willing to work and maintain confidentiality. | | | | program policies and missions are. Understand your |
| No other special skills were required. | | | | own motives and beliefs. Wherever you begin your |
| Since that time, programs have organized and | | | | career as a domestic violence advocate it is |
| expanded and are often supported by government | | | | important to continually assess your environment. |
| grants, budgets have grown and laws have changed. | | | | Choose your battles. Positive change doesn't usually |
| Many program priorities are documented outcomes | | | | come from alienating those around you. Don't spread |
| and results over meeting actual needs. Program | | | | yourself too thin, you are most effective when you |
| boards require employees who can handle money, | | | | are focused. Network with others, form alliances and |
| fundraise, network and comply with grants and | | | | never stop learning. Continually refine your position. |
| reporting. Often a BA, MA or MSW is required along | | | | Blend advocacy with all you do. Even as an |
| with specialized training. While domestic violence | | | | administrator or someone involved in high level |
| advocacy is still a cause or ideology it has evolved | | | | systems change it is important to maintain a level of |
| into an occupation with several specialty areas. | | | | interactive, ground level, face to face advocacy to |
| There are many avenues to your first job in the field. | | | | remind yourself of the real reason you are doing this |
| Regional shelter programs have traditionally served as | | | | work. Your true value as an advocate is not |
| an entry point in this area. There are volunteer | | | | reflected in statistics and data but is reflected instead |
| positions to gain some overall experience. These can | | | | in the eyes of a traumatized and frightened woman |
| often turn into paid positions. Shelters employ the | | | | who sees that you represent her potential for a |
| whole spectrum of advocates from entry-level phone | | | | better life and safety for her and her children. |