How To Become a Victim Advocate

After surviving a violent crime, victims must relive their trauma repeatedly to answer investigators’ questions and testify in court. They must also deal with the challenges of navigating the criminal justice system and applying for restitution. The journey through these obstacles can be eased by the work of dedicated victim advocates.      

If you have a compassionate, empathetic nature, you might be interested in learning how to become a victim advocate in order to make it your life’s work to help others. What does a victim advocate do, exactly? You can explore the education requirements, career pathway and important skills for aspiring victim advocates in this detailed career guide.

In This Article: 

• What Is a Victim Advocate?
• What Does a Victim Advocate Do?  
• What Degree Do You Need to Be a Victim Advocate? 
• Best Degrees for Victim Advocates 
• Victim Advocate Requirements: Important Skills
• Where Do Victim Advocates Work?  

What Is a Victim Advocate?  

A victim advocate is a person who assists victims throughout the criminal justice process, providing information, support and resources, assistance with finding legal representation and creating protective orders, and guiding victims through every stage of a case.

70%

Percentage of crime victims who experience anxiety and stress¹ 

What Does a Victim Advocate Do?  

These social services professionals help victims of crimes obtain and coordinate medical care and ongoing therapy so they can appropriately process what has happened to them and work toward healing. Victim advocates may provide a wide range of other services, as well, which are personalized to meet the individual needs and goals of the survivor. These professionals provide both emotional support and practical assistance.

A victim advocate's specific job responsibilities will vary depending on a particular victim's needs but may include any of the following:^2,3 

Victim advocates are service-minded professionals who fulfill a vital need within their community. Every day brings new challenges, so it's necessary to be able to adapt to the unique needs and goals of each survivor. At the end of the day, a victim advocate may feel proud to know that their work is helping others to break free from victimization and move forward toward survivorship. 

What Degree Do You Need to Be a Victim Advocate?  

The victim advocate requirements are highly variable from one jurisdiction to the next. Generally, however, aspiring victim advocates are expected to hold at least a bachelor’s degree and sometimes a certification. There are no universally applicable requirements, but a typical career pathway might look like this: 

High School Diploma 

Before you can earn a relevant college degree, you’ll need to complete your high school education. Talk to your school counselor about your career plans and ask about any relevant courses you can add to your schedule. For instance, you may want to take introductory courses in psychology, forensic science, sociology or legal studies, if available. 

College Degree 

Victim advocate requirements often include a bachelor’s degree. There are no universal requirements regarding the specific type of bachelor’s degree. However, most aspiring victim advocates will generally earn a degree in an area such as social work, psychology, forensic psychology, criminal justice or sociology.² 

Internships 

Completing one or more internship experiences during college can give you an inside look into what goes on in the criminal justice system and in social service organizations. Similarly, consider pursuing a volunteer position with an organization that supports survivors, such as a local advocacy group.² 

Entry-Level Roles 

Depending on the hiring organization, it may be possible to apply to a victim advocate position without first gaining work experience in an entry-level role. 

Otherwise, some work experiences that are similar to the job of a victim advocate include:⁴ 

• Hotline counseling 
• Community and social services assistance 
• Crisis intervention 

Professional Certifications 

Each hiring organization will determine if professional certifications are required for the role. Even if a certification isn’t required, earning one may help you in the job market.⁵ Consider looking into certification options from professional groups such as the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) and the National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP).² 

As you can see, there is no one universal career pathway for victim advocates. These professionals come to the role from a variety of academic backgrounds and work experiences. One thing they typically have in common, however, is the desire to help other people in their community who are struggling. Now that you know how to become a victim advocate, you may feel ready to begin planning your own journey toward a career you may find meaningful. 

Best Degrees for Victim Advocates 

Although there are no universal victim advocate requirements, certain degrees may be more relevant to the career than others. For example, you may wish to look for a degree program that teaches topics in social and human services, social welfare, case management procedures and counseling for traumatized individuals. 

A Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree program can be particularly useful for aspiring victim advocates.² This is because it will generally encompass the above topics, with an emphasis on client support strategies and social services. Furthermore, earning a BSW can allow you to later pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree if you decide that you’d like to transition to a career focused on social work. 

Degree programs that explore social services will vary but typically cover: 

• Social services delivery 
• Human behavior 
• Program management 
• Advocacy and social justice 
• Trauma care 
• Professional ethics 

GCU Recommends These Degree Programs for Victim Advocates 

Victim advocates generally benefit from soft skills such as empathy, communication, interpersonal skills and organization, as well as technical competencies in counseling and case management.² 

If you’re passionate about the idea of becoming a victim advocate in order to empower survivors of crimes, you may wish to consider the following degree programs: 

Bachelor’s Programs 

• Bachelor of Social Work 
• Bachelor of Science in Sociology 
• Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Health Science with an Emphasis in Trauma 
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Forensic Psychology 
• Bachelor of Science in Justice Studies  

Master’s Programs 

• Master of Social Work  
• Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an Emphasis in Trauma
• Master of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Forensic Psychology  

 Other Programs 

• Graduate Certificate of Completion in Forensic Psychology  
• Post-Master of Science in Counseling: Trauma Certificate  

Victim Advocate Requirements: Important Skills  

Victim advocates need to be able to draw upon a diverse range of both hard and soft skills to assist victims. You may begin examining these skills during your college studies and further refine them as you gain work experience. 

Some of the essential skills for a victim advocate include:² 

• Active listening 
• Counseling 
• Communication 
• Empathy 
• Organization 
• Case management 
• Problem-solving 
• Teamwork 
• Advocacy 
• Interpersonal skills

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not offer employment data specifically for victim advocates. However, a career in victim advocacy can fall into a general category of social and human services.⁶ According to the BLS, the median annual salary for these types of professionals was $41,410 as of May 2023.⁷    

According to the BLS, it is expected that the social services field will experience positive growth in the coming years. From 2022 to 2032, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for social and human service assistants to be 9%, faster than average, accounting for an estimated increase of about 35,600 new jobs in the field.⁸ 

Where Do Victim Advocates Work?  

A victim advocate may pursue work in a range of different organizations. As a working professional, their job may take them to various work environments, as travel around the community is often necessary. 

Some work environments can include:² 

As a victim advocate, you might decide that you prefer to continue with your chosen work for the rest of your career. However, there are other related career opportunities to consider, some of which may require additional education and/or credentials. 

Are you passionate about empowering victims and eager to serve your community? Prepare for your future at Grand Canyon University. Apply today for enrollment in a degree related to victim advocacy, such as the Bachelor of Social Work degree program.