1. (a) As used in this chapter, "victim advocate" means an individual employed or appointed by or who volunteers for:

   1. (1) a victim services provider; or
   2. (2) the student advocate office of a state educational institution or an approved postsecondary educational institution, if the individual provides services to a victim.

2. (b) The term does not include:

   1. (1) a law enforcement officer;
   2. (2) an employee or agent of a law enforcement officer;
   3. (3) a prosecuting attorney; or
   4. (4) an employee or agent of a prosecuting attorney's office.

3. (c) The term includes an employee, an appointee, or a volunteer of a:

   1. (1) victim services provider;
   2. (2) domestic violence program;
   3. (3) sexual assault program;
   4. (4) rape crisis center;
   5. (5) battered women's shelter;
   6. (6) transitional housing program for victims of domestic violence; or

   7. (7) program that has as one (1) of its primary purposes to provide services to an individual:

      1. (A) against whom an act of:

         1. (i) domestic or family violence;
         2. (ii) dating violence;
         3. (iii) sexual assault (as defined in IC 5-26.5-1-8 );
         4. (iv) human and sexual trafficking ( IC 35-42-3.5 ); or

         5. (v) stalking ( IC 35-45-10-5 );

            is committed; or

      2. (B) who:

         1. (i) is not accused of committing an act of domestic or family violence, dating violence, sexual assault (as defined in IC 5-26.5-1-8 ), human and sexual trafficking ( IC 35-42-3.5 ), or stalking ( IC 35-45-10-5 ); and
         2. (ii) is a member of the family of an individual described in clause (A) other than a family member who is accused of committing an act of domestic or family violence, dating violence, sexual assault (as defined in IC 5-26.5-1-8 ), human and sexual trafficking ( IC 35-42-3.5 ), or stalking ( IC 35-45-10-5 ).

As added by P.L.104-2008, SEC.11. Amended by P.L.70-2016, SEC.3.