Psychology student interns for Victim Witness Protection

Understanding human behavior is a complex and difficult objective, requiring expertise across several disciplines. One student rose to the challenge in summer 2019 during an internship with the Victim Witness Protection Program (VWP) in Virginia’s Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney. Senior psychology major Riquoa Robinson spent 120 hours with the organization, drawing connections between coursework and criminal justice realities. Robinson returned to campus with a deeper appreciation for public service as well as a passion for justice and advocacy for vulnerable populations.

Originally from Culpeper, Virginia, Robinson came to JMU to study psychology, acquiring minors in criminal justice and sociology along the way. After enrolling in a victim advocacy course taught by VWP program director, Nicole Terrell, Robinson learned more about the summer internship opportunity and wanted to get involved. From legal protection and court testimony to social groups and emotional support, victim advocates are trained to provide a variety of resources and support to those affected by crime. While each case is different, a victim advocate’s job is to help individuals cope with the aftermath of a crime, including the effects of trauma and grief.

Beginning in May 2019, Robinson joined the driven team at VWP, using her education to thrive in a hands-on environment. Robinson said, “I would attend court proceedings with the advocates and assist victims, communicating about what to expect and what they hoped to gain from the experience.” She provided additional support to the team, ensuring cases were diligently cared for and executed smoothly. Robinson added, “I was also responsible for filing and scanning cases as the caseload could be overwhelming. Scanning files digitally allowed them to be more accessible.”

For future psychology students and those preparing for an internship, Robinson emphasized the importance of an open mind and the ability to learn from others. She said, “Psychology is all about looking at the individual’s behaviors and with the VWP, you are one-on-one with victims. Each experience is different and psychology [taught] me to be aware of each individual’s needs.”

Since returning to campus this fall, Robinson began her field placement with Blue Ridge Legal Services Inc., a civil legal aid society providing free legal assistance to low-income residents of the Shenandoah Valley. While the VWP program gave her a unique understanding of criminal behavior and systems of justice, Robinson’s current internship will allow her to explore civil cases while helping those struggling with family, consumer or housing disputes. While next steps for Robinson are not finalized, she hopes to attend law school upon graduation. No matter where her career path takes her, Robinson’s training in psychology and collaborative spirit will lead her to success as she helps others overcome obstacles and discover resiliency.