What is Advocacy? & Personal Strategies of Self-Care:

For all of the hard working, caring and supportive advocates out there...We really need this!

Self-Care and Healing for Advocates... 

Everyday advocates at rape crisis centers, domestic violence agencies and independents in the field see and hear the effects of victimization. When a community is shaken by a high profile case with media attention coming out of the woodwork an advocates work can be or is even more overwhelming. Advocates respond in person or by phone to many victims as they reach out for support, guidance, a safe place to begin their journey and the process of healing. As advocates we see and hear first-hand traumatic experiences of sexual assault and abuse against women, children and men daily. Advocates carry these experiences with them and even perhaps if an advocate is a survivor may experience "flashbacks". The constant exposure to any type of trauma can take a toll on an advocate's well-being. The evil of the world becomes more evident and something as simple as listening to a song or watching a movie, can fill us with anxiety, sadness, anger, and other negative feelings. Positive impacts of advocacy are many...to witness a victim or survivor's courage, her/his strength and their commitment to healing themselves and families are beyond words.

 What is Advocacy?

The definition of an advocate as a noun is:
1. One that pleads the cause of another
2. One that defends or maintains a cause or proposal
3. One that supports or promotes the interests of another

The definition of an advocate as a verb is:

To speak, plead, or argue in favor of.
1. One that argues for a cause, a supporter or defender
2. One that pleads in another's behalf

Noun Synonyms: supporter, spokesperson, promoter, upholder

Verb Synonyms: advise, build up, campaign for, defend, encourage, go bat for, justify, promote, recommend, speak for, spread around, support, urge, protect, shield, support.

When the definitions and roles of an advocate are put forth and we understand exactly what our mission is there is nothing that will stop us. Or at the least, we will find a way around the obstacle in order to assist and extend our hand to those in need. I think one can agree with me that any advocate who pours her/his heart and soul into their mission or cause with positivity and deep emotions will be touched in some way or another. It's inevitable.

Marishka Hargitay plays Detective Olivia Benson on Law and Order; Special Victim's Unit and President and Founder of the Joyful Heart Foundation, stated:   "When people are abused and assaulted, it is like the doors to their souls slam shut."