Victim Advocate

Other Opportunities Court Monitor Victim Impact Panel Victim Advocate

We need victim advocates from all areas of Northern Virginia. MADD Northern Virginia covers Fairfax, Arlington, Prince William, and Fauquier Counties as well as all cities and towns within those counties.

Are you a caring, nurturing person? Are you willing to provide support to victims of drunk driving collisions who contact the MADD office?

Victim advocacy is the heart and soul of what MADD is all about - helping the victims of drunk driving crashes. MADD offers support, guidance, and information for people in crashes involving impaired drivers and for people who's loved ones were injured or killed by impaired drivers. Many of our victim advocates are victims of crashes themselves. However, you don't have to be a victim to successfully provide a listening ear and the practical support that helps victims through the recovery process.

Often the greatest service that MADD victim advocates provide is simply just being there and providing a compassionate and listening ear. Victim advocates are also able to provide information about drunk driving law, victim rights and crime victim compensation funds. They can provide information and assistance in preparing Victim Impact Statements for court, as well as accompanying the victim or victim's family to court sessions in order to provide guidance and support in understanding the legal process. Drunk driving is a crime. When people are involved in drunk driving crashes they are not only ill prepared for the emotional burden that follows the event, but also the confusion of attending court and navigating through the criminal justice system. It is important for victims to learn all they can about the their rights in the justice system and MADD victim advocates can assist with this process.

To become a victim advocate, interested individuals attend a 40-hour Beginning Victim Assistance Institute training to learn how to provide bereaved families and injured victims with emotional support, free literature on victim issues and guidance through the criminal justice system. They then complete a series of homework assignments in which they determine how to access different services in their communities which prepares them for assisting victims and providing them with the necessary information they need. Victim advocates are the heart of the organization, and their work has earned MADD the distinction of being the world's largest crime victim assistance organization. MADD victim advocates provide a shoulder to cry on, a hand to hold, an ear that listens, a fountain of information and a source of strength. Collectively, they have helped untold numbers of people devastated by the tragedy of drunk driving.

If you are interested in becoming a victim advocate please contact the Program Manager at the MADD Northern Virginia Office, 703-379-1135.

Other Opportunities

• Court Monitor
• Victim Impact Panel
• Victim Advocate