Reviewed by Heard & Believed · Updated 2026-10-21
An advocate is someone whose job is to support you, explain your options and help you get what you need, at your pace. Here is what advocates usually do, what they cannot do, and how to find one.
A victim advocate, sometimes called a victim assistance provider, works for an organization that helps people affected by crime. You might meet one through a community program, a hospital or a prosecutor's office; you can ask the hospital, police department or prosecutor's office whether one is available. Their role is to support you and help you understand and reach the options available to you, with you guiding the decisions.
The U.S. Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime describes typical services and tasks to include:
Advocates can share general legal information, such as how a process works or what rights exist. OVC's standards say advocates should make clear the difference between legal information and legal advice, and that staff who are not licensed attorneys should not practice law or provide legal representation. If you want advice about your own legal situation, an advocate can help you find an attorney.
OVC's standards point out that confidentiality, meaning how a program handles your information, is not the same as privilege, a legal protection against disclosure, and that the rules differ by profession and by things like age and disability. Advocates may also be mandated reporters in some situations. It is completely okay to ask, before you share, what they can keep private and when they might have to tell someone.
Every state has a crime victim compensation program. OVC explains that these programs can reimburse crime-related costs such as medical care, counseling, lost wages and funeral expenses, and that eligibility varies by state. An advocate can help you apply to the program in the state where the crime happened.
To find an advocate, you can contact VictimConnect at 855-484-2846, call RAINN's hotline, or ask the hospital, police department or prosecutor's office whether they have one.
Heard & Believed is a free survivor-support information site, not a law firm or a counseling service. If you want to talk to someone right now, RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline is free, confidential and open 24/7 at 800-656-4673.
This is supportive information, not legal or medical advice. If you need someone now, the RAINN hotline is 800-656-4673, free and confidential, 24/7.
No. Advocates share information and support, but those who are not licensed attorneys should not give legal advice or represent you. An advocate can help you find a lawyer if you want one.
It depends. Confidentiality and legal privilege are different, and the rules vary by state, profession and situation. Ask the advocate before you share what they can keep private.
Court accompaniment is one of the services OVC lists for victim assistance providers. Ask the program what it offers.
Policies differ from program to program, so ask the program you contact. Asking does not commit you to reporting.
Share only what feels okay. The team that runs this site reads these messages and can point you to support options. No pressure, no cost to you. If you need to talk now, call RAINN at 800-656-4673, 24/7.
Thank you for trusting us with this. If you need to talk now, RAINN is here 24/7 at 800-656-4673.