What the VSIP Offers Students
The VSIP’s foremost commitment is to the learning process of the intern. The VSIP staff are available to all interns to facilitate growth, assist in networking, and identify other resources pertinent to their internship experience. Workshops, seminars and conference opportunities are available to all VSIP interns. Regular intern meetings provide additional in-service training, debriefings, and peer support.
COVA’s Victim Services Internship Program (VSIP)
The VSIP Seeks to address issues related to service provision for marginalized/underrepresented crime victims. One barrier that continues to challenge the victim services field is the disparity between the high number of crime victims from marginalized/ underrepresented communities, compared to the low number of victim service professionals of similar backgrounds. Members of these communities may often be less trustful of the criminal legal system and therefore less likely to access available services. We believe that a person who has experienced the trauma of being a crime victim would be more trusting of and comfortable with-a victim advocate from a similar racial, ethnic or cultural background, while also developing a more diverse representation of service providers.
The ultimate goal of the VSIP is to help diverse student interns secure
employment in the field of victim services by equipping them with the skills to serve crime victims through advocacy, working knowledge of the criminal legal system, crisis intervention styles, awareness of community resources, and a variety of trauma-informed techniques. The intern experience, coupled with increased awareness in diverse populations benefit the student, the community, and the prospective employer.
*Please note that internship availability is contingent on our funding and therefore spots are limited. Thank you
2022 Facts
Spotlight
- Max, Lakewood Police Department Victim Assistance – Tulane University/Social Work &Disaster Resilience
- Aliyah, Alamosa County Sheriff’s Office Victim Response Unit – Adams State/Sociology &Criminology
- Bailey, Pueblo Rape Crisis Services – CSU Pueblo/Criminology
- Barbara, The Blue Bench – MSU/Social Work
- Brisa, Project Safeguard – UCD/Psychology
- Elliot, Family Tree Homelessness Program – Newman University/Social Work
- Esperanza, Longmont Police Department Victim Services – Aims Community College/Psychology
- Gabriela, Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Center – MSU/Social Work
- Gabrielle, Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center – MSU/Social Work
- Imelda, Blue Sky Bridge – UCD/Criminal Justice
- Isabel, Voces Unidas for Justice – UCCS/Social Work
- Jacquelyn, Voces Unidas for Justice – UCCS/Social Work
- Jade, Alamosa County Sheriff’s Office Victim Response Unit – Adams State/Social Work &Criminal Justice
- Kat, COVA-Human Trafficking Program – Aspen University/Business Administration
- Kathryn, Phoenix Center at Auraria – MSU/Social Work
- Margaux, Rocky Mountain Victim Law Center – DU/Social Work
- Matthew, Regis University Victim Advocacy & Violence Prevention – Regis University/Information Technology
- Mia, A Woman’s Place – UNC/Psychology
- Naomi, The Blue Bench – Walden University/Mental Health Counseling
- Natasha, Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center – MSU/Social Work
- Nigh, Phoenix Center at Auraria – UCD/Psychology
- Noor, Denver Children’s Advocacy Center – UCD/Public Health
- Priscilla, Alternative Horizons – Fort Lewis College/Sociology &Human Services
- Quinlan, Rose Andom Center – MSU/Social Work
- Shiloh, Rose Andom Center – MSU/Social Work
- Taylor, Alternative Horizons – Fort Lewis College/Criminology
- Adaly, Denver District Attorney’s Office Juvenile Unit – MSU/Criminal Justice
- Alaina, The Center for Trauma and Resilience – DU/International Disaster Psychology
- Alejandria, Pueblo Children’s Advocacy Center – CSU Pueblo/Social Work
- Arisson, The Blue Bench – Denver Seminary/Counseling &Theology
- AJ, Alternatives to Violence – CSU/Social Work
- Audrey, The Phoenix Center at Auraria – MSU/Social Work
- Ayodelle, Westminster Police Department Victim Services – MSU/Criminal Justice &Trauma Studies
- Aysia, The Blue Bench – UCD/Counseling
- Reyna F., Larimer County Sheriff’s Office Victim Response Team – CSU/Sociology &Criminal Justice
- Tenzin, Lutheran Family Services – DU/International Disaster Psychology
- Rachel, Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network – DU/Social Work
- Gisselle, 19th Judicial District Attorney’s Office – UNC/Criminal Justice
- Patrina, Aurora Police Department Victim Services Unit – DU/Social Work &Mental Health Trauma
- Maria, Larimer County Victim Response Team – CSU/Sociology &Criminal Justice
- Tahleiah, Sexual Assault Services Organization-Fort Lewis College/Criminology & Forensic Science
- Marissa, Haseya Advocate Program-MSU/Social Work
Student Intern Information
Fill out the application above.
Complete a VSIP Intern application (above)
● Submit a cover letter
● Submit a resume
● Agree to a release of information for a background check
* All internships are in person, if you would like to intern with a specific agency, we recommend you verify they are located within a reasonable proximity.
- Have an interest in advocating for crime victims
- Identify as a member of an underrepresented community
- Commit up to 20 hours per week at a host agency
- Commit to 9 -12 months **Must be graduating in Summer 2024 at the earliest in order to fulfil the 9-12 month commitment.
- Be enrolled in an accredited college or university for the duration of the internship
- Commit to maintain confidentiality with the highest level of integrity and respect for others
Examples of underrepresented communities include, but are not limited to, those
who are marginalized due to their race/ethnicity; gender identity; sexual orientation; age; socioeconomic status; physical ability; language; and/or immigration status.
* Please note: service providers who identify as male, regardless of other factors, are underrepresented in Victim Services. In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that “1 in 3 men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.” While according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 12.7 % of victim advocates identify as male.
Background checks are completed by the VSIP. However sometimes, the host
agency will also conduct their own background check.
Criminal justice agency entities often have a more extensive process and likely
follow federal criteria. While marijuana possession and use are legal under Colorado state law, possession and use is a crime under federal law. Marijuana use or possession may prevent an applicant from being accepted as an intern in a criminal justice agency.
The VSIP is responsible for the facilitation of the internship; therefore, students
will not intern at the COVA office. Instead, students will intern at a host agency with which we have a partnership.
Host agencies vary from systems-based to community-based and include police
departments, district attorney’s offices, domestic violence shelters, children’s advocacy centers, non-profit organizations, etc.
You can find potential host agencies in our COVA Service Directory. We work with a variety of agencies across the state, please make sure you are filtering based on areas of interest and location.
*Please be aware not all host agencies are recruiting interns at the time students apply.
Host Agency Applications
Fill out the application above.
- Complete a VSIP Host Agency application (above)
- Submit intern’s job description
- Submit agency’s equal employment opportunity statement
- Agree to a site visit with the VSIP staff to tour the facility and learn more about
the services provided
- Serve crime victims
- Be able to host an intern for 9-12 months
- Interns must be providing victims of crime direct services in some capacity
- The intern stipend allows students to dedicate more hours to meet agency needs
- Interns commit to work within their host agency for 9 -12 months
- The VSIP screens each intern candidate prior to referring them to assess the
best possible match for the intern and the agency - Interns are provided with additional trainings
- Scholarship opportunities are available for the intern to attend the COVA
Conference and/or Basic Victim Assistance Academy
For further information regarding the Victim Services Intern Program
Please contact the COVA office at 303-861-1160 or via email
Christa Taylor, VSIP Program Director Christa@coloradocrimevictims.org