Advocacy Services

 The Help[H]er reporting platform provides a secure, confidential, trauma-specialized method for women to report crisis experiences including abuse, exploitation, coercion, institutional mishandling, or spiritual harm experienced in the church or Christian organization, while also ensuring compliance with HIPAA, relevant state laws, and organizational policies. 

The intake process includes five phases designed to minimize re-traumatization, maximize confidentiality, and ensure accurate information flow to trained advocates—not to the church, ministry, or alleged offender.

Our intake process includes trauma-specialized practices of AVS-directed reporting processes including avoiding unwanted narrative retellings, validating autonomy and consent at each stage, the AVS choice to pause, return, or withdraw, and an appropriate response that includes supportive, non-pathologizing language. 

When receiving a report of abuse a Help[H]er Advocate avoids theological shaming, pressuring, or reconciliation. We will ensure reporting is NOT shared with church leadership unless explicitly requested by the AVS and safe to do so.

When an institution is connected to harm, financial support for mental health and advocacy care must be provided without control, influence, or conditions. The institution transfers funds directly to Help[H]er as a third-party administrator, who then disburses funds for care. No funds pass through the institution to the alleged victim, victim, survivor (AVS) or provider. 

The AVS chooses providers, determines the duration and nature of care, and retains the right to discontinue or change care at any time without penalty. The AVS is not required to justify care decisions to the church or Christian organization. An Independent Funding of Alleged Victim, Victim, or Survivor Mental Health Care policy ensures care is AVS-directed, confidential, and ethically administered.

 A Help[H]er may advocate more generally, independent of a particular case, by consulting with lay leaders, counselors, and/or organization leadership short term (hourly or in a Ministry Partnership Agreement) for the purpose of advising best practices for a crisis situation. 

Help[H]er Advocates are available to work with a church or Christian organization in policy and procedure development, policy and procedure review, and development of best practice structures for receiving reports of abuse as well as caring for those who have been impacted.

 Help[H]er Advocates provide trauma-specialized case navigation for women who have experienced abuse, misconduct, exploitation, or other forms of harm within Christian faith communities. Recognizing that AVS often find themselves navigating complex and overwhelming systems while simultaneously coping with trauma, Help[H]er Advocates serve as guides, helping women understand their options, make informed decisions, and access appropriate support. 

Our advocates walk alongside AVS as they navigate church reporting processes, counseling and mental health resources, safety planning, and other community support. We help AVS understand how these systems function, identify available resources, help prepare for meetings or reports, organize documentation, and anticipate potential challenges. 

Case navigation at Help[H]er is victim-led, victim-centric, and victim-paced. We do not direct survivors toward predetermined outcomes. Instead, we provide information, education, practical support, and advocacy so that each woman can make decisions that align with her own goals, values, safety needs, and circumstances. 

Help[H]er Advocates help reduce confusion, isolation, and barriers to care while increasing access to resources, agency, and informed decision-making. Our goal is to ensure that no woman must navigate the aftermath of harm alone.

 In cases where a woman is unable or unwilling to engage directly with her church or organization leadership, a Help[H]er Advocate may serve as an Authorized Representative. The Help[H]er Advocate comes alongside an AVS to help them understand their options, strengthen their voice, and restore personal agency while navigating complex systems such as churches and Christian institutions. A Help[H]er Advocate can help communicate concerns, participate in meetings, or submit documentation on the AVS behalf. Help[H]er Advocates maintain healthy professional boundaries and avoid dynamics that replicate control or dependency. Healthy advocacy strengthens an AVS’s voice until she is able to confidently use it herself.

Authorized Representative Job Description available upon request.

Help[H]er provides trauma-informed advocacy for AVS who are considering, preparing for, or responding to media involvement related to their experiences. Public disclosure can be complex and emotionally taxing, often carrying potential benefits, risks, and unintended consequences for AVS and their families. 

Our advocates help AVS evaluate opportunities and concerns, clarify their goals, and make informed decisions about whether, when, and how to engage with journalists, documentary producers, podcasters, authors, or other media representatives. We assist survivors in identifying questions to ask, understanding consent and confidentiality considerations, anticipate potential impacts, and develop safety plans related to public exposure. 

Help[H]er Advocates can help AVS prepare for interviews, organize timelines, documentation, and key information. Throughout the process, Help[H]er prioritizes agency, privacy, safety, and well-being.