Experiences of Victim Advocates Serving Military Sexual Assault Victims in the State of New York: A Phenomenological Study

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe victim advocates’ (VAs’) experiences serving victims of sexual assault (SA) in the State of New York. Current researchers emphasize experiences in the areas of professional satisfaction, development of new skills, and work relationships. The theories guiding the current research are Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and social cognitive theory (SCT). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs suggests that individuals are motivated to meet their needs in a specific order. Social cognitive theory’s observational learning shapes decision-making factors. have an important role in supporting victims of SA emotionally. Understanding victims’ experiences can provide awareness of the rewards associated with the role of advocate. Data accrued by conducting 15 interviews to gain insight into the experiences, motivations, and perceptions of VAs. After collecting the data, the interviews were transcribed and analyzed to identify common trends.