What is a senior advocate?

A Senior Advocate is a volunteer who is a senior citizen, and who is trained to help fellow senior citizens who have been the victim of crime feel more comfortable with, and better understand, the criminal justice process.

What kind of things are senior advocates asked to do?

Senior Advocates may be asked to do many different tasks that will help achieve the goals of this program. These tasks include calling victims to be sure they understand the status of their case or to find out if victims have received the forms to claim restitution or violent crimes compensation; making referrals to community and government programs that provide services the victims need; identifying circumstances that warrant additional intervention by the social worker or prosecutor assigned to the case.

What special responsibilities are undertaken when an individual agrees to serve as a volunteer?

The most important responsibility is to respect the confidentiality of the information learned as a Senior Advocate. The victims may share information that they would not want their neighbors, friend, or co-workers to know. Many times, crimes are of an embarrassing nature, whether financial fraud or rape, and Senior Advocates should respect the victim's confidence.

Senior Victim Services Coordinator

In Georgetown 302-856-5353 ext. 148
In Wilmington 302-577-5185
In Dover 302-739-4211 ext. 261