Survivor Advocate

Position Summary

Under the leadership of the Director of Sexual Violence Response Direct Services, the Survivor Advocate will provide confidential and comprehensive survivor-focused services, resources and trauma-informed care to survivors of gender and power-based violence. This will include direct crisis intervention, crisis counseling, advocacy and support services, including explaining and exploring survivors' rights and options, in accordance with federal, state and local laws and regulations (civil and criminal), and campus policies.

The incumbent will serve as a general resource, advocate, and referral agent for students seeking sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and stalking information and services. Additionally, the Survivor Advocate will provide round-the-clock, on-call crisis support year-round in a shared rotation amongst the direct services team and coordinate campus and community resources to support students who have experienced sexual assault, intimate partner violenc[e] and related abuse.

The Survivor Advocate will collaborate with other departmental colleagues, on and off campus, to support the success of SVR activities, including community education, outreach effort,s and special events.

This is an essential on-site position that requires availability after hours, including evenings and weekends, and participation in the 24/7, year-round on-call rotation.

Advocacy, support, and case management: 80%

• Provide effective and practical crisis intervention, immediate aid, options, referrals, and information, psychoeducation, and advocacy and support services to primary and secondary survivors of gender and power-based violence.
• Provide emergency assistance in the immediate aftermath of violence, abuse or traumatic experience, which includes but not limited to short-term support and related follow-up services to alleviate safety and trauma associated with the survivor's experience.
• Accompany survivors as needed to hospitals, court, police precincts, hearings/adjudications on campus, etc., to provide support.
• Maintain confidentiality under New York Public Health Law and maintain a confidential database (CRISIS/Confidential Response Intervention and Support Information System) and accurate records of services and referrals to ensure comprehensive quality care for survivors.
• Manage accurate statistical data, which reflects various aspects of victim/survivor service provision and compliance. Must adhere to strict confidentiality when working with survivors.
• Share responsibility for rotating 24-hour on-call shifts for the purpose of providing crisis intervention, options, advocacy, medical and legal information, accompaniment, and immediate safety to students who identify as survivors of trauma, violence or abuse.
• In partnership with the Direct Services staff, maintain the on-call calendar.
• As part of the 24-hour on-call rotation, the Survivor Advocate is required to report to campus, hospital emergency departments, law enforcement agencies, court houses, etc. on short notice for extended periods of time in response to emergency and critical incidents related to students' experiences of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, and abuse.
• Responsible for on-going individual case management, assessment to identify both immediate and long-term needs, rights, options, and appropriate referrals for survivors.
• Provide criminal/civil justice advocacy and support services, including orientation and accompaniment for the making of police reports, forensic medical exams, interviews, court filings and hearings (including injunctions/orders of protection), and all facets of the trial process (including depositions, trial, victim impact statements, sentencing, release procedures). Additionally, it will provide education to survivors on their rights and responsibilities and linkage to Victims Compensation, VINE (Victims Information Notification Everyday), Office of Victim Services (OVS), etc.
• Coordinate cases, serving as a liaison between the survivor, law enforcement, public safety, Title IX staff, social services, community-based organizations, professors, other campus departments and officials, employers, landlords, and other agencies.
• Provide consultation as needed to faculty, staff and administration regarding individual students, policies, and procedures. Additionally, collaborate with other departments and off-campus agencies to streamline access to both emergency and non-emergency resources.
• Regularly participate in case review meetings and one-to-one meetings with a supervisor to discuss case status.
• In collaboration with direct services leadership, facilitate advisement sessions with students who actively participate in the 24/7 Helpline/On-Call services (volunteers, casual employees, etc.).
• Ensure cultural competence and respond effectively in serving the needs of a diverse undergraduate and graduate student population.
• Effectively working with and or advocating on behalf of…