CJ Problem: The Victim and His Advocate

Advocates are not lawyers.
We can support our clients, but we may not speak for them. We try to be as invisible as possible in court, but people are watching our every move. Dress right, speak when spoken to, don’t even THINK about smiling. Ever. Laughing at something the commissioner says, or the respondent’s sheer stupidity—all of the excuses--- is absolutely unacceptable.

The last time I checked, an advocate was someone who spoke up for a cause. Someone who led the group. The advocate was the one who said “hey, something’s not right here.” The ADVOCATE spoke for the people who didn’t have a voice.
Has it really come to this?
Has our Criminal Justice system really gotten SO bad, we’ve lost sight of the term “Advocacy?” The advocates used to be heroes. Now we’re just the ones who prepare the paperwork. Sad, but true.
What is it going to take to get back to the roots of advocacy?
We need you guys. We need advocates outside of the CJ system, outside of the courts, actual advocates. Real people out here, in the real world, working to help the victims.
Not just fill out the paperwork.
And, yes, I meant victims. Not women, but victims. I am not here to be a preachy feminist. I am here to be an ADVOCATE. For VICTIMS. Victims, no matter what size, shape, color, gender, who need my help. Victims who need people to speak up for them. Victims who need someone to get between them and pushy lawyers.
Someone to help.
Sure, every little bit counts. I get that. But don’t you ever get tired of being behind the scenes? I want to be the voice.
Isn’t that what Victim’s Advocacy is truly about?
When it all comes down to it, aren’t we supposed to be the voice for the victims who don’t have one?
Whatever happened to that?
Advocates are not lawyers, but we can still give victims a voice.
The only question now is…
“how?”