ABSTRACT
The compelling words of William Faulkner speak to the hearts of advocates on behalf of victims and survivors of life’s most terrible crises. Survivors of individual and community tragedies often face additional challenges that are experienced as second assaults from society. These may come from social institutions, health services, educational institutions, or the legal system. While victims or survivors are facing major losses due to an event of historical significance in their lives, they are compelled to respond to demands of social congruence or feel the need to proactively fight for rights or services. Survivors may be their own advocates; at times, this may become a way of reconstructing their lives. At other times, it is useful to have an organization or another person speak for them. In either case, understanding the role of advocacy and the legal or advocacy issues that often face survivors in the aftermath of a catastrophe is critical.
