The focus of this workshop is advocacy skill building for individuals working in organizations and agencies that encounter identity theft victims such as crime victim serving organizations, social services agencies, and law enforcement agencies. The emphasis of the presentation is not on how individuals become victimized or the long-term repair process, but rather on the service provider’s immediate response when an individual says he/she is a victim of identity theft, in particular: identifying the source and extent of the harm, taking steps to stop the harm and reduce the impact of the victimization, acknowledging and addressing the emotional needs of the victim, connecting the victim to critical resources, educating the victim about the further steps and monitoring required, and setting the stage for what can be a long repair process. The goal of the presentation is to build the capacity and confidence of individuals who encounter identity theft victims in their work.
Presented by Suzanne Elwell, Director of the Department of Public Safety, Office of Justice Programs, Crime Victims Justice Unit.