Mobile advocacy is an effective and evidence-based approach that allows people receiving services to choose the meeting place that’s safe and convenient for them. It’s been used for many years by culturally specific organizations and by health service providers, and is increasingly employed by domestic and sexual violence advocates to lower barriers to services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, making and maintaining contact with survivors is challenged in the context of the virus and the containment strategies most communities have in place. This Special Topic session will spotlight programs in rural Pennsylvania that have successfully pivoted from site-based and mobile advocacy to virtual advocacy. NNEDV’s Safety Net Project will also be on hand to discuss how to protect survivor safety and privacy when using technology to provide advocacy and support.
