Brandi Garcia

CJ 494 Senior Capstone

Faith Integration Infographic Reflection

Dr. Collier

Azusa Pacific University

 My infographic is titled “Christian Principles for the Delivery of Justice: Applying a

Christian Worldview to a Career in Victim’s Advocacy” and it lightly touches on the four most

important principles that I believe go into this line of work. Those four principles are

compassion, empathy, justice, and mercy which will help me in my walk with not only Christ but

those who are so heavily impacted in our criminal justice system. It was after some careful

thought that I was able to come up with those 4 cornerstones of my future in criminal justice and

they were actually inspired by the four-cornerstone model that APU has for all its students. Each

principle or virtue is just as important as the next because implementing a careful balance of all

of these will help be provide the best environment for my future clients.

Compassion was the first word that came to mind when I began brainstorming my chosen

virtues and it came up may times when I journaled on this topic in class. The small snippet that I

have chosen for my infographic reads, “practicing active listening while giving full attention to

clients”. This sentence may seem a bit redundant but as someone who tends to be the main

source of advice for many of my loved ones I have realized that active listening and attention are

two different things entirely. Active listening is more than just hearing the words that a client

may be saying in regards to their trauma but it is about engaging and making sure they are heard.

I will practice this through eye contact, getting clarification about aspects of the story, and asking

any relevant questions that may further help me advocate for them in the courts, justice system,

or whatever place of work I meet with them. Active listening is apart of giving ones full attention

but it is not the only way to give one’s full attention to someone else’s needs. Providing my full

attention can be as simple as going into a quiet space with my client or it can be implemented by

engaging in meaningful conversation in regard to the case I am helping them handle. By making

these two actions work hand in hand I can practice the compassion that Christ practiced with all
of his followers and ensure that I am finding common ground with my clients to better help them

through some of the darkest times of their lives.

My second virtue that I plan to take into every client situation is empathy and on my

infographic I state that this means, “being aware of the emotional state of all clients while

engaging in open and honest conversation that supports each clients issues”. In order to

understand how this will help I want to piece this into three sections and apply it to my relations

with future clients. First step would be to be aware of the emotional state of all clients which is

so important when working with victims of crime and because my particular interest is sexual

assault this will be a crucial piece of my work. Being aware of someone else’s emotional state

doesn’t mean just nothing that they are sad or angry but being gentle with them and

acknowledging that they may not be in a fully stable mental state while engaging in the criminal

justice process. Christ has challenged us all to love our neighbors as ourselves and see Him in all

of our brothers and sisters, and because of this I will be sure to have patience with each clients

different ways of processing or showing their emotions. The next piece will be engaging in open

and honest conversation that is supportive of each client’s issues. After evaluation where they are

at emotionally the next step will be to talk through anything that will aid in their support whether

that is helping them prepare to testify, explaining pieces of the court, or simply being present and

supportive during a difficult court proceeding. While support will be an important aspect the

element of open and honest conversation is just as crucial. In order to do so I will need to hear

everything it is they have to say and placing myself as fully into their shoes as possible to ensure

that they feel seen and heard in a process that can often overwhelm people. By participating in

the story of my clients and fiercely advocating for them in a very vulnerable situation I will

actively place empathy at the forefront of my career.

 My third focus point is justice which when applied to a criminal justice career may seem

a bit obvious, but through the lens of Christ has a deeper meaning. I am not meaning that I will

seek for justice for clients in the eyes of our current system, but true justice by seeking what is

right and ensuring equity for all of my clients. This is why my short summary on my infographic

says, “navigating the criminal justice system through a Christ-centered lens to ensure equity for

all clients.” The most important part of that statement is “Christ-centered” because that is the

only way we can truly seek justice because Christ is our true north. This idea focuses on the fact

that we are all God’s children and created in his image and because of this we all deserve to be

treated with justice and fairness. I will be using this idea that our God is a God of restorative

justice to lead me into finding ways to ensure my clients get the justice they are deserved. While

this does not mean I can bring back a loved one, un-do an assault, or erase all damage I can seek

to provide them with all of the healing tools to ensure they are restored in spirit. By having a

Christ-centered view of justice in the most selfless way possible to ensure that injustices are

addressed and clients are treated in the most loving way possible.

My fourth principle that I have chosen to focus on is the concept of mercy and I plan on

using mercy as I have stated in my infographic by, “responding to clients needs with love and

forgiveness regardless of the problem.” Being a victim of crime is hard enough without having

those who are supposed to be helping you navigate the process come off as cold, and this is why

I think mercy is an important virtue to uphold while dealing with victims of crime. While this

concept is usually thought of in regard to those who are being punished I think that it is

important to also show mercy to those who have been victimized. Providing them with a safe

space to be angry, sad, or even just vent completely without passing judgement on them is I

believe how mercy can be shown to those who are victims of crime. Another aspect of this in my
chosen field can be to ensure that their needs are heard and addressed with love and concern for

their wellbeing. If a client voices that they no longer want to see their attacker or that they need

extra time with me to get a clearer view on what is going on in the case then I can show them

mercy and grace by helping them in every way possible. Everyone is deserving of God’s love

and mercy so by applying that concept to how I treat all of my clients I will be able to act as a

hand of God in some dark times for them.

As APU criminal justice majors we are called to seek justice, love mercy, and walk

humbly with God and I think that should be the focal point for all of our actions within our

chosen careers. I am passionately called by the Lord to help those who feel they do not have a

voice or are too afraid to use it. I often find myself standing up for my friends or family if they

are being wronged and I know I can use my voice to help those who so desperately need it. By

bringing the virtues of compassion, empathy, justice, and mercy into my every day work with

those who have been victims of crime I know I can help those who feel like God’s light has

missed them. As difficult as it will be to address such difficult and traumatic experiences with

people every day I know this is God’s plan for me. In that calling alone I know that these virtues

will shine and I will be able to do a lot of good for people who are most in need of some

positivity and help.