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The Essentials of Victim Advocacy

Category: Event Calendar

Dates and Times

  • Mon, Aug 11, 2025 - Fri, Aug 15, 2025  8am - 4pm
  • Mon, Oct 20, 2025 - Fri, Oct 24, 2025  8 am - 4 pm (VIRTUAL)
  • Mon, Jan 5, 2026 - Fri, Jan 9, 2026  8 am - 4 pm (VIRTUAL)
  • Mon, May 11, 2026 - Fri, May 15, 2026  8am - 4pm
  • Mon, Aug 17, 2026 - Fri, Aug 21, 2026  8am - 4pm
  • Mon, Oct 19, 2026 - Fri, Oct 23, 2026  8 am - 4 pm (VIRTUAL)

Location

Victim Assistance Program
137 S Main St

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Details

The Essentials of Victim Advocacy is a nationally approved comprehensive training offered four times a year in the State of Ohio. Essentials is designed to offer trauma-informed knowledge and skills to individuals serving survivors of crime and other traumatic events in our communities. Participants who complete the course may apply to become a National Credentialed Advocate through the National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA).

This 44-hour comprehensive course will equip attendees to use the NOVA Model of Crisis Intervention, a trauma-informed approach, and additional learned skills to assistant individuals impacted by crime, victimization, or other traumatic events. Attendees will gain knowledge about the impact of trauma, the judicial system, victim rights, available resources, and much more.

This course also provides Ohio Social Work-eligible attendees the opportunity to earn up to 29 CE hours upon successful completion.

Courses are offered fully in-person in May and August at our Denton Training Facility in Akron, Ohio, and fully online/live via Zoom in January and October.

We hope to see you at the next Essentials!

Who should attend?

The Essentials of Victim Advocacy is open to victim advocates and ally professionals. Law enforcement, first responders, social workers, behavioral health workers, attorneys, medical personnel, clergy, and university students are only a few who have reported benefiting from this course. Essentials equips participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to provide effective support to individuals impacted by victimization or traumatic events. We place so much value on this course that all who work or intern with VAP are required to attend!

Whether you’re a faith leader, community volunteer, corporate leader, or simply someone with a passion for helping others—this class equips you with the knowledge and skills to be a trauma-informed helper.

What You'll Learn

  • How trauma and crisis affect behavior, well-being, and sense of self
  • An overview of the criminal and civil justice system and victim rights
  • Communication tools to support people in crisis with empathy and clarity
  • How to create safer environments grounded in SAMHSA's Six Principles of Trauma Informed Care
  • How to apply the NOVA Model of Crisis Intervention

Registration Cost

Course registration is $495 per person. This price includes:

  • The Essentials of Victim Advocacy Training Manual
  • Handouts for sessions/units
  • QPR Booklet
  • Info on Victim Assistance Program

The registration deadline for each course is one week prior to the first day of training.

Payment must be received one week prior to the first day of the training.