As members of the prosecution team and with the specific responsibility to provide assistance to victims of crime as provided by the laws of this State and with all rights, duties and obligations appertaining to prosecutors’ offices, victim advocates have an inherent responsibility to understand the importance of the prosecution’s goal and adherence to ethical principles. “[T]he goal of the prosecutor is the protection of the public, but adherence to ethical principles is the essential means of obtaining that goal.” – Cardozo Law Review, at 1997. Additionally, as the field of victim advocacy continuously becomes more established, it is equally important that the statewide standardization of the field develops through credentialing certification processes and outlined job duties within our offices. The PAC Victim Services Committee has therefore established the following to be available for District Attorney and Solicitor-General offices statewide for their use in Victim Witness Assistance Programs.

Updated Guidance: Basic Certification Training Requirement

Due to the current limitations and availability of the Victim Assistance Training Online (VAT Online) system, PAC has established an interim training option for applicants seeking Basic Georgia Certification.

Until a more permanent training solution is available, applicants may satisfy the VAT Online training requirement by completing a minimum of 25 hours of training directly related to victim services. Trainings addressing victim advocacy, victims’ rights, trauma-informed services, victimization, crisis response, ethics, communication with victims, and other topics directly applicable to serving crime victims may be used toward the 25-hour requirement.

Applicants may use a combination of eligible trainings to meet the required 25 hours. Training documentation or certificates of completion should be maintained and submitted as required with the certification application.

Free Training Resources

Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia (PAC) – Victim Services Training
PAC offers free training opportunities throughout the year for Georgia’s victim services professionals, including webinars, in-person training, and other educational opportunities. PAC trainings that are directly related to victim services may be applied toward the 25-hour requirement.

Applicants are encouraged to review available and upcoming PAC Victim Services training opportunities.

Access and register here: Upcoming Training Events Archive – Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia

National Organization of Victim Advocacy (NOVA) – NACP Interim Introductory Advocacy Training
NOVA currently offers introductory victim advocacy training at no cost. This training may be applied toward the 25-hour requirement.

Access and register here: https://novatraining.learnupon.com/store
(Located under NOVA’s Training Center)

Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) – Training & Technical Assistance
OVC provides a variety of training and educational resources for victim service providers. Applicants may select available trainings that are directly related to victim services and apply those completed hours toward the 25-hour requirement.

Access and register here: OVC TTAC – Home Page

Please Note: This guidance is an interim measure in response to the current limitations of the VAT Online system. PAC and the Georgia Victim Services Certification Committee are working toward a more permanent training pathway for future certification periods. Any future changes to the training requirements will be communicated and reflected on this page.