Victim, Meet Advocate

Join Shannon Craven for a solo style episode where she discusses vehicle theft and Virginia State Police's program HEAT. HEAT's Website: https://heatreward.com/

Join us as we discuss the harrowing 2017 documentary "The Wounds We Cannot See."

Join us as we discuss the 2018 Documentary "The Guardians" during National Older Americans Month.

Join us for our longest episode yet as we do a deep-dive discussion on Miranda's Victim, the film we will be screening for National Crime Victims' Rights Week 2024. Be sure you are following al of our social media platforms to stay up-to-date on the latest awareness months and statuses of our events. We also left in a funny ad-lib where we realize just how passionate we are about these topics as we approach the 60-minute cut-off time. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GloucesterVWAP/

Join us for an episode where we discuss some of the most frequent questions we get as Victim-Advocates!

Join us for February's episode of Victim, Meet Advocate, where we discuss the prevelance of Teen Dating Violence and chat with our VSTOP Advocate, Shannon. Check out all of our social media's and the links below that are mentioned in this episode! Avalon Center: https://avaloncenter.org/ OneLove: https://www.joinonelove.org/ Break the Cycle: https://www.breakthecycle.org/ Project Horizon: https://www.projecthorizon.org/

Join us for another episode of Victim, Meet Advocate where we discuss a prevalent issue in Hampton Roads: Human Trafficking. Links: History of Human Trafficking: https://theexodusroad.com/history-of-human-trafficking/ JUSTIA LAW: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca4/21-4220/21-4220-2022-04-22.html Human Trafficking Hotline: https://humantraffickinghotline.org/en/human-trafficking/recognizing-signs Understanding HT: https://www.dnronline.com/news/harrisonburg/understanding-human-trafficking-virginia-statistics/article_dc3dc7ee-ff36-5428-a6c8-2369fe65f850.html#:~:text=In%202021%2C%20in%20the%20state,the%20National%20Human%20Trafficking%20Hotline.

This month, we were grateful to be featured on the Gloucester government podcast: Current Conversations. Join us as we discuss all things victim witness-related and explain what we do in the criminal justice system!

"Your life is not a chapter book--it's a collection of short stories and some of those stories are going to be really, really sad and hard ones." -Kate Hanger, Executive Director of Virginia Victim Assistance Network Join us as we kick off Season 4 with an episode centered around the Virginia Victim Assistance Network! Our Director chatted with Kate Hanger, the Executive Director of the Virginia Victim Assistance Network with over 20 years of experience. Be sure you are following us on all of our social media so you stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and updates. Check out VVAN below! VVAN: https://vanetwork.org/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=idealist

Join us for our final installment of our season 3 section of the overview of the Criminal Justice System. This week, we are celebrating National Crime Victims' Rights Week. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (@GloucesterVWAP) to stay up-to-date on all the latest information!

Trials, juries, and pleas--oh my! In the third installment of our four-part mini-series, we will dive into the next step of the criminal justice process. We will discuss please, jury trials, and bench trials continuing using the fictional case of Beth and Barry. Check out our social media to stay up-to-date with our National Crime Victims' Rights Week Events. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GloucesterVWAP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gloucestervwap/

In this episode, we will discuss the next steps of the Criminal Justice System including bond hearings, preliminary hearings, and the grand jury process.  Looking for an internship? Contact our director: cpierce@gloucesterva.info Also, be sure you are following us on all our social media platforms to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes, events, and happenings in the judicial field! 

Join us for another season of Victim, Meet Advocate! In this season, we will be outlining the aspects of the Criminal Justice System in four parts through a hypothetical case study. In this episode, we discuss the first brushes of the system with victims and perpetrators. Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up-to-date with the latest podcast episodes and awareness months!

Join us as we chat with Ginny Evans, a Victim Advocate with the Office of the Attorney General. We will discuss what services the Attorney General's Office provides as well as how important the impact of Victim Advocates is on the criminal justice system.  Office of the Attorney General website: https://www.oag.state.va.us/ Hotline: 1-(800) 370-0459

Join us for another episode of Victim, Meet Advocate where we explore the effects of Domestic Violence on children. To learn more, visit the Virginia Action Alliance.

Join us for another episode of Victim, Meet Advocate. This episode we will discuss the phenomenon that is nonconsensual pornography. Check out the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative here: https://cybercivilrights.org/

Join us for this episode of Victim, meet Advocate where we chat with one of the Assistant Prosecutors to the Commonwealth Attorney of Gloucester. Monique Donner shares her perspective as a prosecutor and how important victims are in the pursuance of justice.

Join us as we discuss some of the most common internet scams that elders can fall victim to. If you or someone you know has been affected by online scammers, contact your local Law Enforcement and report the crime here: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/

Join us for a different type of episode where our full-time Advocate Shannon as she gives some insight on this field and the issues Advocates face. Check out our social media pages!

Join us for our National Crime Victims' Rights Week episode where we chat with Sara Hallberg. Sara is a licensed professional counselor and certified sex-offender treatment provider. She specializes in treating complex trauma, particularly in adolescents and young adults. Her interests include the intersection of trauma and substance abuse, dissociative disorders, and problematic sexual behaviors in youth. In her free time, Sara enjoys caring for her husband and three children, hiking, and jewelry-making. We will be diving into trauma and everything you need to know about it. Follow us on Facebook to get the latest updates for our NCVRW activities. Emdria Website: https://www.emdria.org/ National Crime Victim's Rights Week Event (Trauma-Informed Yoga): https://fb.me/e/pempTfYCP

Join us as we discuss the unique process of obtaining a Protective Order in Gloucester, Virginia!  Link Tree: https://linktr.ee/admin I-CAN: https://vacourtformhelp.courts.state.va.us/

Join us for our second episode of Victim, Meet Advocate where we welcome our newest addition to the team, Vince, as well as discuss some important topic relating to Teen Dating Violence. Since 2010, the entire month of February has been dedicated to spreading awareness about TDV, join us as we celebrate 2022's motto: Talk About It and do just that! Erin Castro Foundation: https://justiceforerin.org/erins-story OneLove Foundation: https://www.joinonelove.org/

Made popular by Netflix, the show YOU follows the story of a bookstore manager named Joe Goldberg and his deadly obsession with a woman named Beck. In our pilot episode, Victim, Meet Advocate examined the first episode and it's portrayal of stalking as well as fanned out some tips for anyone who may be experiencing this. Learn more about how you can stay safe and get resources at: https://www.stalkingawareness.org/

Director of Gloucester Victim Witness, Cheerleading Coach, and planning a wedding, there isn't much our Director Chelsea Sowatskey doesn't do! Tune in to hear us chat about important aspects of being a director, a day-in-the-life, and how she unwinds in this final episode of Season One with Victim, Meet Advocate.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and this month we decided to bring light to a less discussed topic: How to help a friend in need. Join us as we discuss some ways you can help a loved one experiencing Domestic Violence while also ensuring your own wellbeing is preserved. One Love Foundation: https://www.joinonelove.org/ National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/ Virginia Action Alliance: https://vsdvalliance.org/ Gloucester Victim Witness Assistance Program Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GloucesterVWAP/?ref=pages_you_manage

Join us for a different style of episode where we examine a real-life case and discuss the role of the victims and advocates within it. Victim, Meet Advocate dissects the crimes of Timothy Spencer, better known as the Southside Strangler. Please note, this episode features elements that may be disturbing to some listeners, so listener discretion is advised. Listen to the Southern Nightmare Podcast Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/southern-nightmare-the-hunt-for-the-south-side-strangler/id1375263580

A senior at Christopher Newport University, the daughter of United States diplomat, and an advocate for women's empowerment, there isn't much our Victim Witness Intern Olivia doesn't do! Join us as we interview our intern about her experiences in her role with us as well as her plans for the future. If you are looking to Intern with us, send our Director and email with you resume or find us on handshake.com! Handshake: https://joinhandshake.com/ Chelsea Sowatskey, Director of Victim Witness (she/her): csowatskey@gloucesterva.info

Note: This episode is also available on Serving Victim's Through The System Join us as we switch up our usual content and chat with another locality central to us. With just an hour and a half travel time between these two jurisdictions, there are notable differences and similarities present. One of our hosts, Shannon Craven chats with the host of Serving Victims Through The System, Royall Bryan. Tune in to hear some interesting takes on burning questions in the field as well as find out how similar we really are! Serving Victims Through the System: https://open.spotify.com/show/7Fm4c16PHPuzuoUlCa5jpU Isle of Wight Victim Witness Services: https://www.co.isle-of-wight.va.us/our_services/victim_witness_assistance/index.php Gloucester County Victim Services: https://www.gloucesterva.info/157/Victim-Witness-Assistance-Program

In today's episode, we will discuss some helpful tips to keep you and your loved ones safe in this last stretch of Summer as well as into Fall. Join us as we also discuss ways to stay safe both at home and while on vacation. Looking to join our team? We have an opening! Follow this link to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/jobs/3167111-0/part-time-victim-witness-advocate?utm_campaign=google_jobs_apply&utm_source=google_jobs_apply&utm_medium=organic Just looking for an internship or want to get involved? Find us on Handshake: https://joinhandshake.com/ Follow us on Facebook (@GloucesterVWAP) for more tips and upcoming awareness days!

July 18th -- 24th is National Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Week. Hosted by the American Probation and Parole Association, this week aims to raise awareness around the community of corrections staff nationwide. Join us as we discuss the aspects of these programs and how victims interact with them.  About Pretrial, Probation and Parole Week: http://www.appa-net.org/ppp-supervision-week/ Gloucester Victim Witness is Hiring! Follow the link here to find the listing: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/gloucester/jobs/3139153/victim-witness-advocate

Join us as we commemorate International Day of Criminal Justice. This day is the anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute and aims to shed light on crimes against people such as genocide and human trafficking. We take a real-life case and explain what the role of an Advocate would be in that situation.  Links:  Kassongo's Address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wl6CIT0wfS4 International Criminal Court Website: https://www.icc-cpi.int/

Tuesday, June 15th was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Join us for the second episode of Victim Meet Advocate where we discuss this growing issue, how to spot elder abuse, resources offered, and what to do when you suspect Elder Abuse is happening. Together we can work to create a safer space for the elderly. Resources: Elder Abuse Fact Sheet (World Health Organization): https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/elder-abuse Elder Abuse (National Institute of Aging): https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/elder-abuse Adult Protective Services in Gloucester Virginia: https://www.gloucesterva.info/294/Adult-Protective-Services More information regarding Elder Abuse: https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/elder-abuse/signs/

Join us for our first episode of Victim Meet Advocate. In this quick starter episode, we give some background on how Gloucester, Virginia and the crimes that occur here. We also chat about what Victim Advocates do within the system.  Avalon in Williamsburg: https://www.avaloncenter.org/ Transitions in Newport News: https://www.transitionsfvs.org/