SEXUAL ASSAULT ADVOCACY
Volunteer Position Description
AREA: Sexual Assault Services | Off-site and On-site
PURPOSE & IMPACT: Sexual Assault Advocates have the important job of taking calls from the Sexual Assault Crisis Support Line and/or local hospital(s). Advocates will help survivors with the resources needed to make effective decisions and assist them in navigating crisis, or simply answer questions regarding the services that we offer. Sexual Assault Advocates may also accompany recent survivors at the Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Center on-site SAFE room (sexual assault forensic exam room) or a local hospital Emergency Room if the survivor is in need of having a rape kit / sexual assault examination completed.
*Hospital accompaniment is subject to COVID health and safety restrictions.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Be on call via personal phone to take calls from the answering service.
- Use empathy, warmth, and listening skills to help victims in crisis.
- Complete documentation and turn it into DVSAC Advocate after a call.
- Report to the DVSAC SAFE Room OR hospital Emergency Room to support the victim through rape kit process. *Accompaniment Advocates
SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES NEEDED:
- Ability to work in a crisis.
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries with clients while maintaining compassion.
- Flexible, empathetic, and effective listening and communication skills.
- Working phone and ability to take calls privately to maintain strict confidentiality.
- Reliable transportation. *Accompaniment Advocates
- Ability to report to SAFE Room (Murfreesboro) or Emergency Room (Saint Thomas Rutherford, Stonecrest) within an hour of the call. *Accompaniment Advocates
COMMITMENT NEEDED:
While we understand life circumstances change we do ask our Volunteer Sexual Assault Advocates to;
- Be willing to contribute to the program for 4-6 months post-training.
- Be able to take a minimum of 3-4 shifts per month.
IMPORTANT INFO & FAQ’S:
- Sexual Assault Advocates will have the option to take calls on the Crisis Line Calendar or the Accompaniment Calendar – OR BOTH!
- The shifts are 12-hour on-call shifts (M-F 7pm-7am, S-S 7am-7pm or 7pm-7am). You do not have to report anywhere during this time (unless you get an accompaniment call), you must simply be available should a call come through.
- The DVSAC only takes around 50 Sexual Assault Accompaniment calls annually, and thankfully our crisis support line is not ringing 24/7.
- While we do not get calls constantly, our goal and promise to our community is to ensure that when a call does come through there is an Advocate available to support the survivor during their time of crisis.
TRAINING & REQUIREMENTS:
- Sexual Assault Advocate must attend a quarterly certification training OR privately scheduled on-site training.
- Completed DVSAC Volunteer Application including a background screening and TBI fingerprinting. *Background report must come back free of violent offenses only.
FUN PERKS:
Being a vital connection between clients and community, meeting others with similar interests, learning and acquiring new skills in crisis work, and making a difference in the life of another person.
