Your Right to a Victim Advocate

You have a right to have a victim advocate to help you navigate the aftermath of a sexual assault.

So What Does a Victim Advocate Do?
Victim advocates are trained to support victims of crime. They offer emotional support, victims’ rights information, help in finding needed resources, and assistance in filling out crime victim related forms. Our advocates frequently accompany victims and their family members through the criminal justice proceedings.

Our advocates also staff the 24-Hour Sexual Assault Hotline at 903-454-9999.

Victim advocates’ responsibilities include:

• Providing emotional support to victims and their families

• Ensuring victims understand their rights and available options

• Assisting with crisis intervention

• Accompanying victims to forensic exams, interviews, or court proceedings

• Coordinating services and referrals to appropriate community resources

• Ensuring victims understand the criminal justice process

• Assisting with the Crime Victims Compensation application process