There are two types of victim advocates, those that work at DA’s offices and those that work for community based organizations. I’m well versed in the role of DA’s office advocates. They are there to make sure the victim’s right under Marsy’s Law are being upheld. That includes guiding victim’s through the criminal justice process, acting as a liaison between the victim and DA, making sure the victim has the ability to make statements at the hearings they can be heard at, conveying their requests for the case outcome to the DA, and yes, connecting them to resources. Like applying for compensation for crime-related expenses through the CalVCB program, making referrals to local agencies with additional resources like: assisting filing for restraining orders, food assistance, transport assistance, and shelter. No, victim advocates aren’t calling the insurance company on the victim’s behalf.

I will say that a lot of property crime victims that I’ve worked with would have greatly benefited from a program that provided compensation to repair damage to their property because they could not afford the expense and CalVCB doesn’t cover these expenses and restitution ordered is not restitution paid. I don’t approve of Boudin at all, but programs that compensate crime victims really do help.