What is a court advocate?
A court advocate helps clients who are victims of domestic violence.
I go to court with these victims and advocate on their behalf as a liaison between them and the attorneys.
I explain the legal process and the Illinois Domestic Violence Act. We also give the client referrals for other services such as housing, and help with emergency money.
We work with police officers to facilitate what charges should be pressed in certain circumstances.
Why did you choose this field?
I graduated from college and I studied psychology and wanted to work in something involving violence against women.
I came upon this job; it sounded interesting and once I started doing it I couldn’t stop.
What’s your educational background?
I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology and religion from Transylvania University in Lexington, Ky.
Describe an average day.
Usually, I start in court at Domestic Violence Court at 1340 S. Michigan at 8:30 a.m.
There is an intake room, where victims of domestic violence who have received a police report can speak to a state’s attorney about pressing criminal charges and filing criminal complaints to get an order of protection.
I tell the people in that room who I am and ask if anyone needs any help.
If someone approaches me, I tell the person about my agency and the services we provide at Family Rescue.
Initially, I find out why the person is in court. Then I sit down and counsel them.
We cover safety planning and an explanation of the cycle of violence. I then accompany them when they meet with the state’s attorney. Then the decision is made whether to approve the charges.
Basically it’s my job to let the victim know how he or she needs to explain everything about the abuse to the state’s attorney.
I am there as a support system.
If the charges are approved, I accompany the victim when they talk to the victim witness (who actually fills out the order of protection).
Then I accompany the victim when they go to court.
How do you keep up with all the victims’ cases?
I write down all follow-up court dates in a calendar.
A major part of my job is to be a constant support; so once we leave court I still call to check up on the victim.
For instance, let’s say they decide to move from their residence and they need help with relocation. They may need emergency numbers and referrals.
But mainly, we provide that extra push to get people into court because it’s very important that they follow through and keep coming back so the cycle of violence is broken.
What is the best thing about this job?
My job is to empower them; I feel like I am truly helping people. I think it’s a very needed service.
I believe it’s necessary for people to explain things because the process is so complicated and many times re-victimizing.
What is the worst thing?
The hurt you have to see in people’s faces every day.
What were your most memorable cases and why?
This case stands out because of the severity of the injuries. There was a lady who was stabbed several times by her spouse in front of her children.
Even though she endured going through the court process for almost a year, it was satisfying for me to finally see a conviction; her offender would face some jail time for the consequences of his actions.
Once I helped to get a client an order of protection in civil court. She went back to the abuser. After he physically abused her again, she called me.
That’s amazing that she felt she could trust me enough and she knew that I would help her.
We went through the process and she ended up pressing criminal charges against him.
She got away. She recognized the cycle in her life and did what she needed to do to solve the problem.
Are there more success stories than failed attempts?
I think so. What you try to remember is the successes so you can keep getting up to come going to work every day.
Many times you may not get the judgment originally sought but there are small successes along the way.
Even if it isn’t a total removal from the abuser, people may receive some helpful insights.
Maybe the victim was motivated to get back in school, or to get a job, and that’s very important.
What three attributes are essential to doing your job well?
Patience is a big one.
Also perseverance. You need the ability to keep pushing on even when things don’t look good.
And organization, so you don’t miss court dates.
What advice would you give others interested in this field?
Think very hard about this position because it requires a lot of commitment.
———-
E-mail tribjobs@tribune.com
