the essential guide - Texas Council on Family Violence

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Chapter 2: Basics to Providing AdvocacyIn this chapter you will: Explore <strong>the</strong> role of an advocate and review ethics of advocacy. Review two <strong>the</strong>oretical models to inform advocacy work: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and <strong>the</strong>Social Ecology Model. Review safety planning basics. Review topics in confidentiality. Identify appropriate documentation to promote client safety and agency accountability.What is an advocate?An advocate is a person who works in support or defense of a person or cause. In this case, you areworking to support and <strong>the</strong> on behalf of a survivor of family violence.While advocates may come to us in many forms—hotline operators, case managers, shelter directors,specialized legal and immigration advocates, volunteer coordinators and executive directors, amongmany o<strong>the</strong>rs at your organization who stretch from <strong>the</strong> Board of Directors to your volunteers pool—alladvocates are working on behalf of survivors in a specific capacity ei<strong>the</strong>r directly or indirectly.While <strong>the</strong> majority of this chapter focuses on advocates providing direct services to victims, please notethat all staff members are advocates in <strong>the</strong> movement to end violence against women.What does an advocate do?Respects Confidentiality Clearly explains <strong>the</strong> limits of confidentiality. Respects that any personal information shared is <strong>the</strong> survivors’ and respects <strong>the</strong>ir right todecide when and how to share information.Believes and Validates Experiences Listens without judgment. Uses Active Listening skills.Acknowledges Injustice Assures survivors <strong>the</strong> abuse is not <strong>the</strong>ir fault. Assures survivors no one deserves to be abused.Respects Autonomy Recognizes survivors are <strong>the</strong> experts in <strong>the</strong>ir own lives. Respects survivors’ right to make decisions and <strong>the</strong>ir own choices. Clearly explains <strong>the</strong> scope of services offered, limits to services and any time constraints. Models healthy and ethical communication. Sets appropriate boundaries and respects survivors’ boundaries.THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE: AN INTRODUCTION TO ADVOCATING FOR SURVIVORS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE14 | P a g e
Helps Plan for Future Safety Helps survivors use <strong>the</strong>ir own experiences and insight to develop plans for safety and for<strong>the</strong> future. Helps identify additional ways to be safer. Communicates any safety concerns in a clear, respectful manner. Uses “I” statements: “I’m concerned for your safety.” or “I’m afraid that <strong>the</strong> violencemight get worse.”Promotes Access to Community Services Offers options. Helps find ways to meet survivors’ basic needs. Provides information about resources.What is HHSC?The <strong>Texas</strong> Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) administers <strong>the</strong> Family ViolenceProgram, <strong>the</strong> largest funder of family violence shelter and nonresidential programs across <strong>the</strong>state, though not all family violence programs are HHSC funded. The HHSC Family ViolenceProgram offers specific, detailed <strong>guide</strong>lines (both mandates and suggested best practices) tofunded programs that inform every aspect of program administration and service delivery.All HHSC-funded programs are required to collect data on victims served and services providedand to report this data through <strong>the</strong> Integrated Tracking System (ITS). All data reported to HHSCthrough ITS is de-identified and does not contain personal identifying information about clients.The HHSC Family Violence Program offers manuals for both shelter and nonresidential serviceproviders. Reviewing <strong>the</strong>se manuals can offer information and perspective on how your programhas been shaped by HHSC Family Violence Program. Click here to access <strong>the</strong>se manuals.THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE: AN INTRODUCTION TO ADVOCATING FOR SURVIVORS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE15 | P a g e
Page 2 and 3: Table of ContentsIntroduction: Hist
Page 4 and 5: provide a unified statewide presenc
Page 6 and 7: The Family Violence Prevention and
Page 8 and 9: The chapters that follow will provi
Page 10 and 11: Understanding the
Page 12: Leaving an Abusive RelationshipTher
Page 17 and 18: What is Active Listening?Active Lis
Page 19 and 20: Focus on SafetySurvivors of family
Page 21 and 22: Safety PlanningAs advocates, we nee
Page 23 and 24: Would the informat
Page 25 and 26: Victims who witness the</st
Page 27 and 28: Temporary Ex Parte Protective Order
Page 29 and 30: Here is an overview of some of <str
Page 32 and 33: Family Law CasesFamily Law Cases ar
Page 34 and 35: A common way abusers instill fear i
Page 36 and 37: An Advocate’s Role…AssessExplor
Page 38 and 39: Pregnant women not eligible for Med
Page 40 and 41: Texas Advocacy Gui
Page 42 and 43: GuardianshipIn some cases, an adult
Page 44 and 45: Resources to AssessQuestions to Ask
Page 46 and 47: VAWA protections (VAWA)VAWA require
Page 48 and 49: These protections fall into a few d
Page 50 and 51: housing and homeless issues in <str
Page 52 and 53: Individuals respond to traumatic ev
Page 54 and 55: Relocation Rental AssistanceRelocat
Page 56 and 57: Law Enforcement & Legal Services•
Page 58 and 59: Chapter 8: Coordination of Communit
Page 60 and 61: The end result of a well-maintained
Page 62 and 63: The success of offenders in a BIPP
Page 64 and 65:
Finding SupportSince the</s
Page 66 and 67:
Economic Justice ResourcesNational
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