Sexual violence counsellor
Also known as: counsellor, sexual violence, victim care worker, sexual violence victim advocate, sexual assault counsellor, victim support worker, sexual violence support worker
About this occupation
Sexual violence counsellors provide support services, crisis care services and counselling to women and adolescents who have been directly or indirectly exposed to sexual assault and/or rape. They inform victims of the relevant legal procedures and protective services maintaining client confidentiality. They also address problematic sexualized behaviours of children.
A specialisation of social counsellor.
Essential skills and knowledge
- social justice
- perform therapy sessions
- reflexion
- listen actively
- work on the effects of abuse
- accept own accountability
- help clients make decisions during counselling sessions
- build helping relationship with social service users
- maintain the trust of service users
- strategies for handling cases of sexual assault
- promote social change
- cognitive behavioural therapy
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors (O*NET 21-1011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
- Attend training sessions to increase knowledge and skills.
- Develop client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories.
- Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.
- Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans.
- Plan or implement follow-up or aftercare programs for clients to be discharged from treatment programs.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Investigative, Conventional
Top skills: Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, Writing, Monitoring
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyExtremely important (4.7)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.3)
- SociologyO*NET: Sociology and AnthropologyVery important (3.8)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementImportant (3.1)
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsImportant (3.0)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Mental Health Counselors
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Recreational Therapists
- Psychiatrists
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.