Sexual Assault Services (SAS) is seeking dedicated individuals to be Volunteer Victim Advocates to respond to the needs of survivors of sexual assaults. Victim advocates provide advocacy & non-judgmental support to survivors throughout Calhoun & Van Buren counties.**
Position: Volunteer Victim Advocate - Calhoun County
Reports to: Volunteer Coordinator
Function: To meet the direct needs of survivors & their non-perpetrating significant others, by offering crisis intervention, support, advocacy, information & referrals
Hours: On-call for at least two shifts per month
Responsibilities:
- Provide empathic, non-judgmental support & advocacy to survivors & secondary victims on-site at hospital emergency rooms, nurse examiner sites, police departments
- Cover at least two on-call shifts a month.
- Shift options are 8:00 am-5:00 pm & 5:00 pm-8:00 am.
- Respond to site within one hour of being requested
- Present a mature & professional demeanor when interacting with others
- Observe confidentiality policy regarding all client & agency information
- Complete required paperwork
- Attend monthly volunteer victim advocate meetings
- Keep informed of program policies, procedures & community resources
Skills & Qualifications:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Ability to relate to survivors in a patient, empathic, non-judgmental manner
- Ability to relate to agency personnel & community members in a mature & professional manner
- Complete 30 hours of sexual assault training prior to taking on-call shifts
- Commit to a minimum of six months of service following training completion
- Be resourceful, self-motivated, dependable & informed on the issue of sexual assault
- Have access to transportation
How to become a SAS Volunteer:
- Submit volunteer application
- Complete background checks
- Attend all victim advocate training sessions
Mission:
Sexual Assault Services (SAS) is committed to providing empathic, non-judgmental, comprehensive services, support & advocacy for survivors & others affected by sexual assault or abuse; raising awareness of sexual assault; & engaging others to help in holding offenders accountable & to achieve a community free of sexual violence.
**Note, advocacy for Kalamazoo county is provided by YWCA Kalamazoo.
Class credit is available with approval.
