International Victim Advocate Exchange Project

Due to the wide variation in national laws, tax codes and travel regulations, The International Victim Advocate Exchange Project cannot list a set of definitive policies and procedures.  Thus it's up to the Advocates and Agencies taking part in Exchanges or Visitations to come to an agreement on the dates of the exchange/visit, on it's duration, conditions of travel, accommodation, work, etc.  It is the responsibility of both the hosting Agency and Advocate to ensure all laws, visa, travel, work and safety regulations of their respective countries are followed. 

In general, the Project can suggest that some areas of responsibility for both Advocates and Agencies:

Advocates:

1. Should provide references and credentials as requested by the hosting Agency to prove their status.
    
2. Should be willing to provide police/security clearances as requested by the hosting agency.
    
3. Are responsible for providing their own funding for travel expenses, medical emergencies and potentially for accommodation and living expenses, depending upon any agreement formulated between the Advocate and the hosting Agency.  The hosting Agency is not expected to pay the visiting Advocate for their services.
    
4. Are responsible for acquiring all required travel and work documentation required for traveling to, and working in, the country of the hosting agency. It is expected the hosting Agency will act as a reference and supply assistance in processing paperwork for visas, work permits, etc.
    
5. Should provide an emergency itinerary and contact information to: their family, their employing service/organization, and the hosting Agency.
    
6. Should determine beforehand whether national visa/work regulations will allow the Advocate to function as a member of the hosting agency, or only as a visitor who cannot directly deal with clients.

Agencies:

1. Should provide references and credentials a requested by the Advocate to prove their status and ability to act as a hosting Agency.
    
2. Should be willing to supply accommodation for the Advocate, or at least to supply assistance in locating accommodation.  This could include: having the Advocate stay with an employee of the hosting Agency; providing the Advocate with lodgings; providing the Advocate with assistance in locating/acquiring rented or leased housing.
    
3. Should assist the Advocate in acquiring required authorizations/visas to travel to and work in the hosting Agency's country.
    
4. Should assist the Advocate, at least by referral to appropriate agencies,  in case of problems with government regulations, and medical or personal  emergencies.
    
5. Should, as national visa/work regulations and the Advocate's skills permit, allow the Advocate to participate in the daily work, office activities and counseling of the hosting Agency and affiliated organizations or services.  NOTE: The hosting Agency is not expected to pay the Advocate for their services.  Where nationals laws will not allow the Advocate to participate directly, they should be granted observer status. 
    
6. Should be willing to supply the Advocate's employing organization with a report/summary of their activities after visiting, if requested by both the employing organization and the visiting Advocate.