AMY CHRISTENSEN
Centennial,CO
Summary
Victim Advocate with nineteen years of experience in providing compassionate support to victims of crime. Known for empathic listening skills, acute ability to read needs of victims, and in-depth knowledge of the criminal justice system. Seeking a position to advance career and grow in experience and knowledge.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Victim Advocate
Westminster Police Department
01.2010 - Current
- Oversee and direct the Westminster Municipal Court Fast Track Domestic Violence program
- Supervise 2 staff while carrying an annual 200+ caseload
- Work with victims from the time of arrest through adjudication and probation
- Provide the judge and city prosecutor with pertinent information and accompany victims in court hearings
- Keep victims under service and follow up as necessary after initial appearances
- Provide service for trial coordination, outreach, crisis intervention, referrals and advocacy for crime victims and witnesses
- Responsible for explaining the criminal justice process to victims in great detail and with arranging all travel arrangements for essential witnesses for trial dates
- Work closely with City Prosecutors and Probation officers to advocate on behalf of victims throughout the court process
- Provide resources that directly increase stability and empowerment to domestic violence victims
- Respond to in-person calls for service to provide victims of crime with crisis intervention, emotional support, victim compensation application assistance, and case information
- Connect and refer victims to emergency and community resources
- Provide victims with their rights as set forth in the Colorado Victim Rights Act
- Provide information on cases and criminal justice procedures to victims of crime
- Communicate effectively with detectives, police officers, city or district attorneys, and victim witness advocates to build collaboration among various parties engaged with victims of crime during the course of their cases
- Attend Forensic interviews with detectives to give additional support to families impacted by child sex assault cases
- Train and supervise interns and grant position staff
- Impart knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to working with individuals experiencing trauma and in crisis
- Help with supervision and training of up to 20 volunteers.
Victim Advocate
Littleton Police Department
06.2006 - 01.2010
- Respond to in-person calls for service and initiate telephone and written contact with victims of crime in order to provide crisis intervention, emotional support, help with application for victim compensation, convey information, and establish access to appropriate emergency resources and community referrals
- Provide victims with their victim rights as set forth in the Colorado Statutes
- Work in the municipal court with victims of domestic violence, conducting intakes and explaining court processes
- Provide the judge and city prosecutor with pertinent information and accompany victims in court hearings
- Keep victims under service and follow up as necessary after initial appearances
- Attend trials with victims and help city prosecutor prepare victims for trial.
Volunteer Victim Advocate
Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Respond to in-person calls for service to provide victims of crime with crisis intervention, emotional support, victim compensation application assistance, and case information
- Connect and refer victims to emergency and community resources
- Provide victims with their rights as set forth in the Colorado Victim Rights Act.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Behavioral Science/Criminal Justice
Metropolitan State College of Denver
Denver, CO05.2005
Skills
- Case Management
- Criminal Law
- Stress Management
- Victim Advocacy
- Empathy and compassion
- Multicultural sensitivity
- Volunteer coordination
- Effective communication
- Referral services
- Active listening
- Conflict resolution
- Resource coordination
- Victim rights knowledge
- Documentation and reporting
- Organizational skills
- Legal system navigation
- Team collaboration
- Crisis intervention
- Time management
- Trauma-informed care
- Emergency Response Training
Training
- Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance Conference, 2006-2023
Presenter in 2022
- Colorado Association of Sex Crimes Investigators Conference 2023
- Dare to Lead Certification 2023
- Situational Leadership and Performance Management 2023
- Emotional Intelligence for Supervisors 2023
- Communication Styles and Feedback 2023
- Community Crisis Response 2010
Timeline
Lead Victim Advocate
Westminster Police Department
01.2010 - Current
Victim Advocate
Littleton Police Department
06.2006 - 01.2010
Volunteer Victim Advocate
Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office
01.2005 - 01.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Behavioral Science/Criminal Justice
Metropolitan State College of Denver
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