Ask Our Alumni

• Luis Bispo, MA

  DoD Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC)
  Retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major
  Stuttgart, Germany
  NVAA Fall 2014 Alumni

  My Introduction to Victim Advocacy

  While on active duty, I started developing advocacy skills by caring for Soldiers and family members. This was a duty or role in which those in leadership positions had no choice but to engage in caring for others. I had many opportunities to support families when in crisis. This included help finding lodging, providing advice on their budget plans, and reacting to after hour calls including a drive by shooting at their living quarters and on certain occasions attempts of sexual assault at their quarters. When the Army began developing their sexual assault program, I was selected by my Commanding General to lead the implementation of such program in our command in Stuttgart. From this experience, I developed an interest in pursuing a career in victim advocacy. When I retired from the U.S. Army in 2013, I found a job as Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC).

  NVAA’s Impact on my Career

  As a SARC, NVAA is part of my career and professional development. I believe NVAA brings to the table the reality of victim advocacy and experienced instructors that can make me a better SARC.

  My Experience with NVAA Instructors and Staff

  I rate them “way above excellence.” The impression they left regarding their knowledge of every subject was impressive.

  Knowledge and Skills Gained

  I learned how to talk to a victim, what to expect from each of the different scenarios presented, confidentiality (although I have it, the course gave me truthful reasons to accept it from the heart rather than my job alone) and apply it in discussions to show the community we care for victims of sexual assault; how to appreciate what my peers know and their level of knowledge; and listen to others more attentively.

• Mary-Justine Todd, MPH, MA

  Founder and Executive Director
  Women’s Crisis Care International
  Lagoon, Bahrain
  NVAA Spring 2015 Alumni

  NVAA’s Impact on my Career

  The NVAA training has given me the credentials necessary to run and operate the first rape crisis counseling and response program in the Middle East, Women’s Crisis Care International. Although where we work, primarily, the Kingdom of Bahrain has no credential requirements as it’s not yet a professional widely understood here, having gone through the NVAA gives me confidence that we can make strong claims about our professionalism, training and expertise.

  My Experience Attending a Virtual Academy

  It is equally interesting and rigorous as any classroom course, however it allows you the freedom to do it from your home and in my case, from the Middle East. Without the online platform it would not have been possible for us.

  Knowledge and Skills Gained

  Ideas about how I can improve upon and expand our advocate training that we hold here in the Kingdom of Bahrain. I got lots of ideas about how to improve and add to my current program.

• Maricella Montoya Carter

  Interim Executive Director
  The Center for Sexual Assault Survivors
  Newport News, VA
  NVAA Spring 2015 Alumni

  My Career in Victim Advocacy

  I have been in the field of victim advocacy for over 20 years from a volunteer to an employee. I started out volunteering at a domestic violence shelter in junior high. Once I graduated, I was hired as an intake worker and eventually as a victim advocate. I went on to work as a case manager in a men’s prison in Arizona. In California, I worked as a victim advocate and house manager for victims of human trafficking for many years. I worked for Homicide Survivors Inc. as a bilingual advocate and now I am with The Center for Sexual Assault Survivors. I started out as the Hispanic Community Outreach Specialist/Victim Advocate and I am now the Interim Executive Director.

  NVAA’s Impact on my Career

  Even though I have years of experience in advocacy, the NVAA gave me the opportunity to learn new practices. Being able to interact with advocates from other areas of the county and world is an invaluable experience. The fact that we had advocacy in common made it even better.

  My Takeaway from the NVAA

  I realized through the academy many of us out here are trying to help victims survive every day. We do not have to carry it all on our own. I find myself reaching out more now to NOVA and other agencies for resources and support.

• Lakisha Toussaint, MA

  Why the NVAA

  The NVAA offers an interactive experience to assist me in developing my professional skills as a victim advocate. While I am an active duty military officer, I am volunteering as a victim advocate. The NVAA is a vital tool in broadening my skills and providing instruction on how to better serve victims of crime.

  My Experience with a Virtual Academy

  My experience with attending the virtual victim assistance academy was awesome! The online blended course provided a very interactive learning environment. The instructors for the course were experienced and very knowledgeable of their specific area of expertise. They made class very interesting and gave students a chance to interact at their comfort level.

  Knowledge and Skills Gained

  This course provided a lot of insight for me.  I learned a lot through my classmates’ experiences as well as from the instructors.  The NVAA provided vital knowledge to use as a victim advocate.  For example, knowing my role while trying to meet the needs of the survivor was a major takeaway for me during the training.

• Dede Dacyk

  Assistant Manager, RCMP Victim Services
  Royal Canadian Mountain Police (RCMP) Victim Services
  British Columbia, Canada
  

  My Introduction into Victim Advocacy

  I joined the Royal Canadian Mountain Police Victim Services team in 2003. I first joined as a Volunteer and then moved to a paid position. I love being a victim service worker.

  My Experience with the NVAA

  I thoroughly enjoyed participating in the NVAA. I found it very interesting to hear about people situated all over the world and all coming together to share their experiences and knowledge of the same cause. Furthermore, the staff and instructors were wonderful. I found them extremely well qualified and knowledgeable on their subject matter.

  Knowledge and Skills Gained

  The nine week NVAA was a great experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the training and actually wish it had gone on longer. Being in this field for 12 years, I found this program a great refresher. I gained different tools and knowledge from each instructor. I also found it interesting to learn of some differences in law and victim advocacy being that I am from Canada.