Anti-Human Trafficking & Domestic Violence Legal Advocate

Domestic Violence Project, Inc. is seeking a full-time Advocate to serve in a dual role: anti-human trafficking (3 days per week), and legal advocacy for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and dating violence (2 days per week). DIRECT HIRE ONLY

Both roles involve outreach to various locations in the community to provide trauma-informed advocacy and ongoing support to program participants.

Anti-Human Trafficking

• Conduct Initial screening and intake of newly identified victims of human trafficking and ensure all coordinated referrals are made to community and grant partners
• Initiate and execute a safety plan and individualized case plan with each victim
• Provide comprehensive and developmentally appropriate case management to meet the individualized needs of each program participant, with a focus on safety, security needs and healing processes
• Provide follow-up and referral services to other DVPI programs, medical and judicial systems, mental health organizations
• Participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings and coalition meetings
• Participate in planned outreach activities and awareness events that could be an evening or weekend
• Collaborate with the Director of Outreach Services to continue development of a coordinated service provider network

Legal

• Accept referrals from internal and community sources to interact with survivors; may meet with them at a safe location for early crisis intervention and discussion of their options
• Conduct detailed interviews with survivors to assess their legal needs, determine their history of abuse, provide lethality assessment, safety planning and referrals
• Inform survivors of their rights as the victim of a crime, and how to navigate the legal system
• Educate survivors on safety planning, lethality, the cycle of violence, warning signs of an abusive personality, and the impact of domestic violence on children
• Assist in completion of paperwork such as that necessary to obtain Orders of Protection, and applications for the Ohio Victims of Crime Compensation Program
• Act as liaison between the agency, the criminal justice system, and local law enforcement
• Accompany survivors throughout municipal, common pleas, and domestic relations court proceedings such as pre-trial hearings, preliminary hearings, sentencing hearings, and protection order hearings

Both Roles:

• Make appropriate referrals for DVPI services such as shelter, support groups, the hotline, and housing assistance
• Provide referrals and linkage to community resources related financial and vocational needs, medical care, counseling, alcohol and drug treatment, and other support services
• Track progress and follow-up as needed to meet the goals and needs of the program participant
• Maintain thorough, accurate, and timely client case notes in accordance with DVPI and funder standards
• Represent DVPI at community and collaborative meetings; advocate on behalf of victims, survivors and facilitate positive change
• Complete in-service training and professional development activities mandated by DVPI and its funders

Qualifications

Experience and Education

• Minimum 2 years’ experience providing direct service to survivors of trauma including
  • At least 1 year anti-human trafficking  
  • At least 1 year legal advocacy for survivors of gender-based violence   
• Associate’s degree in social work, criminal justice, or related human services field; equivalent work experience may be considered in lieu of degree
• First Aid and CPR certification within 90 days of hire
   

• Understanding of trauma and trauma-informed care
• Working knowledge of laws and policies within courts that impact survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence 
• Awareness of and empathy for social, emotional, and personal aspects of domestic violence
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office suite 

It is the policy of Domestic Violence Project Inc. to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to any legally protected status such as race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status.