Mission

Advocate

Every area of a victim and survivor’s life is affected traumatically. This is why we are committed to the entire process, from Rescue to Restoration, and on into Advocacy, walking alongside women to help them discover any and all resources available to them in this journey of recovery and ultimately, reintegration into society.

For Courts
For Victims/Defendants
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Advocacy Resource Center

ARC

Court Training and Advocacy Program for Victim/Defendants of Sexual Exploitation.

The Court Training and Advocacy for Victim/Defendants of Sexual Exploitation is a proactive program to support victims/defendants through courtroom advocacy and specialized training opportunities for court officials and judicial stakeholders. It is a two-part program that consists of 1) Court Appointed Adult Victim Advocates, and 2) Customized Court Training.

Court Appointed Adult Victim Advocate - CAAVA

The responsibility of an advocate is to work closely with victims/defendants in order to help them discover any and all resources available to them on their road to recovery and, ultimately, reintegration into society. A CAAVA's role is to provide support and encouragement, including:

Screening

Screen potential victims/defendants for signs of sex trafficking and sexual trauma; identify and divert victims/defendants to appropriate services.

Guidance

Guidance through individualized court-ordered requirements for rehabilitation, court hearings, counseling, group sessions, and self-development goals.

Equipping

Equipping victims/defendants with healthy life skills for long-term healing and success.

Empowering

Empowering victims/defendants and their families through the legal process of seeking restitution, prosecution of their traffickers, and family reunification.

Courtroom Training

We share common goals with the judicial system which aim to identify victims, promote interagency collaboration, and assist in educating on the dynamics of human trafficking and sexual trauma.

Courtroom training is provided for Law Enforcement, First Responders, Court Officials including Prosecutors, Judges, Jail Personnel, and Administrative Staff, and community stakeholders such as Lawyers, Probation Departments, and nonprofit or nongovernmental agencies working with victims/defendants. Training will be provided in Kerr, Bandera, Medina, Kendall, Gillespie, and Kimble counties as well as their respective municipalities.

Our objectives include:

Specialized Training

Increase understanding, awareness and provide specialized training about the challenges faced when working with trafficking victims, their families, and traffickers.

Strategic Assessment

Help courts and communities assess their current approaches to human trafficking and prostitution, and develop or enhance a court based response to victims/defendants that are facing criminal charges.

Improved Processes

Reduce barriers to services, improve outcomes for victims/defendants, and promote stakeholder collaboration in and outside of the judicial system.

Insightful Screening

Screen potential victims/defendants for signs of sex trafficking and sexual trauma, identify and divert victims/defendants to appropriate services, and represent all victims/defendants that have been mandated to programs.

Victim/Defendant Help

If you are a victim or defendant in need of Court Advocation, please reach out to us using the form below.

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Contact Aubri Reed, ARC Program Director
Call Me(210) 570-0275
Email Meaubri@mercygateministries.com
Contact Karla Soloman, Director of outreach & Training
Call Me(830) 777-3219
Email Mekarla@mercygateministries.com
Contact Mercy Gate Ministries
Call us(830) 367-3285
Email Usinfo@mercygateministries.com
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