How Can I Do Pro Bono Work to Assist Rape Victims?

Question

I was raped at age 18 and also sexually assaulted at age 20 (digital penetration).

My dream is to go to law school and become an attorney. However, I want to donate my free time to assist rape victims. It is my understanding that rape victims don't have a legal representative to represent their best interests and support them, because the prosecutor represents the state, not the specific victim.

Are their pro bono attorneys that come to the court house and ask to give free legal aid/support to sexual assault/rape victims?

I hope to complete a joint PhD/JD program in law school. So if I have that joint degree, can I also provide free psychological counseling?

I got an STD from 2nd sexual assault. Also, I was too scared to report the first one becuase the guy told everyone it was consentual, and everyone believed him. I was called "s**t" and "w***e" repeatedly and my boyfriend dumped me over it. I am no longer depressed about it. I am moved on and empowered, but I want to help other victims feel empowered!!

Could I also do pro bono work at a Domestic Violence Shelter/ What about a Rape Crisis Shelter?

Is there any way I could contact rape victims that are too scared to report it and convince them to report the crime?

Answer 1

No. No. No. NO.

"It is absolutely NOT up to you to hunt down other rape victims and encourage them to do anything at all ~ rape victims need respect and support, not legal badgering."

Correct. OMG, I can't believe you actually suggested this! I recoiled in horror when I read it.   You have no training in the subject matter.  Go to uni first and see about the rest later.

Answer 2

A friend of mine who I worked with in NOW later got her law degree and worked with a volunteer group of lawyers in Baltimore. They worked with a rape crisis center and provided legal advice and assistance to rape victims who requested it.

Get your law degree, volunteer at a rape crisis center (so you're aware of how to best help survivors) and later provide legal assistance or organize a group of lawyers to provide legal assistance for victims who request it at a rape crisis center.

If you want to get involved now, here's RAINN's info about how to get involved as well as info about student activism and rape prevention: http://www.rainn.org/get-involved

Here's a link to an organization that RAINN recommends, the National Crime Victim Bar Association: http://www.victimbar.org/vb/Main.aspx

Good luck!

Answer 3

If you wish to work with rape survivors, you need to do it through a professional organisation which will provide training and guidance.

Contact an organisation like RAIIN (link below) and ask to speak with someone about training to do this type of work.

It is absolutely not up to you to hunt down other rape victims and encourage them to do anything at all ~ rape victims need respect and support, not legal badgering.

What worked for you may not work for others, and that is why it is so very important to be trained to do this kind of work.

I do appreciate that your intentions are good, but jumping in to something like this without doing the work necessary to do a good job can only cause problems. You wouldn't go into a courtroom without lawyer training would you? Well, counselling and support rape victims is also something that needs you to do your work before you 'plunge' in.

Best wishes to you :-)

Answer 4

In your telephone book you will be able to find non-profits in the psychological services.  You can do volunteer work at family centers that help rape victims.  You can also call your local librarian for info.  Good luck.