Advocacy Services
Supporting victims in situations of sexual exploitation, sextortion, and sex trafficking.
Our Commitment
Value Unconditional victim advocates partner with law enforcement and medical professionals to ensure victims receive the compassion, care and resources they need and deserve. We strive to offer peace of mind to the victims we serve and to the partners who trust us with their referrals.
More About Victim Advocacy Services
Partnering with law enforcement and medical professionals to ensure victims get the support they deserve.
How it works:
Value Unconditional volunteer victim advocates take on-call shifts to support victims around the greater KC metro. When partner agencies contact us, advocates are dispatched to local area hospitals, patrol divisions, hotels and more.
Victim advocates work with collaborative partners to ensure victims have access to the resources they need for a healthier future. Those resources may include detox, SANE examinations, short-and-long-term residential facilities, personal identification documents, or other victim services support.
Interested in becoming a victim advocate?
In order to be considered as an advocate, volunteers must:
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Be 18 years or older
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Pass a background check
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Have reliable transportation and automobile insurance
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Successfully complete all training and paperwork
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Exhibit thorough comprehension / application of advocacy training
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Have an unwavering commitment to honoring rules, boundaries and confidentiality
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Commit to serving no less than 1 year on the VU Advocacy Team
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Be comfortable working in collaboration with law enforcement and medical professionals
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Have strong listening and communication skills
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Demonstrate high levels of emotional intelligence
Meet Katie
Katie Zishka Eckerberg, Advocacy Field Operative
Katie is a dedicated public servant and Navy veteran with over 15 years of experience in emergency response, trauma-informed care, and mental health advocacy. As a paramedic, she provided advanced life support in high-pressure situations, developing strong skills in crisis management, team coordination, and compassionate communication. She later served as a Neuro Technician and Mental Health Advocate, supporting individuals living with complex PTSD. Katie’s resilience and discipline are matched by her deep empathy and commitment to building more accessible systems of care—spaces where survivors of trauma can find safety, justice, and healing.
Resources:
Why don't victims just leave?
Better understand the issue of trafficking here: https://polarisproject.org/understanding-human-trafficking/
Are porn and trafficking related?
https://exoduscry.com/articles/porn-and-trafficking/
Are kids really harming other kids?
https://exoduscry.com/podcast/how-porn-is-fueling-child-on-child-sexual-assault-benjamin-nolot-nurse-heidi-olson/
Survivor Story - Trafficked into the Porn Industry
https://exoduscry.com/articles/jan/