Best Practices

OVWA believes that advocates are only as good as the information they are given. Here you can find best practices covering a wide array of topics. Whether you're a systems-based advocate or community-based advocate, these publications can provide you with applicable information to improve your daily work with victims across the state.

This list is constantly growing. If you have resources that you don't see listed here, please send them to info@ovwa.org so we can add them. Don't see what you're looking for? Please contact us at info@ovwa.org or at (614) 787-9000 and we will do our best to assist. 

OVWA Publications

Serving Survivors with Disabilities: An Advocate's Guide (2018)
Cybersafety Guide for Victims of Crime (2020)

OVWA Monthly Highlight Series Articles

Crimes Against Runaway Youth - January 2019
Serving Refugees & Immigrants in our Communities - June 2019
Asian Americans, Advocacy & the Model Minority Myth - September 2019
Effective Advocacy with Muslim Americans: Exposing Myths & Misunderstandings - October 2019
Reclaiming Native Truth - November 2019
Advocacy for Black Survivors - March 2020

Code of Ethics for Advocates

NOVA's Code of Professional Ethics for Victim Assistance Providers

Sexual Violence

Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence
“Core Standards for Rape Crisis Programs in Ohio”
Ohio SART Manual

Domestic Violence

Ohio Domestic Violence Network
ACTION OHIO Coalition for Battered Women

Advocate Best Practices

“Excellence in Advocacy: A Victim-Centered Approach”
Breaking Barriers: The Role of Community-Based and Systems-Based Advocates
Media Guide for Victim Service Providers
Best Practices for Engaging Survivors of Sexual Assault from Culturally Specific Communities (OAESV)
Prosecutor’s Guide for Crimes Involving Victims with Disabilities

Vicarious Trauma and Trauma-Responsive Systems

“The Vicarious Trauma Toolkit”
Tri-State Trauma Network

Serving Marginalized Populations

Buckeye Region Anti-Violence Organization (BRAVO)
Ohio Network of Children’s Advocacy Centers (ONCAC)
National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA)
Vera Institute of Justice Guide for Rape Crisis, Domestic Violence and Disability Service Organizati
“Sexual Violence in the LGBTIQ Communities”
Men as Sexual Assault Victims
National Human Trafficking Resource Center
Violence Against Indigenous Women – Indian Health Service
Office on Violence Against Women Tribal Affairs