Advocate

Purpose: To provide emotional support and information to survivors of sexual assault and to their family members and friends and to inform others about the issue of sexual assault.

Major Responsibilities:

• Regard all information about survivors as completely confidential
• Staff 24-hour crisis line
• Accompany survivors of sexual assault to the hospital providing support and information during the medical exam
• Provide support and information to survivors’ family members and friends
• Keep accurate records and return report forms within 24 hours of shift
• Sign up for at least 2 shifts per month
• Call the work day following a hotline or hospital accompaniment to provide information to STSM and check in with staff

Qualifications:

• Tolerant and non-judgmental of others’ lifestyles and values
• At least 18 years old
• Successful completion of Volunteer Advocate Training
• Reliable, dependable, and available during required times
• Good listener, caring, supportive, patient, and understanding
• Must have reliable transportation
• Able to set boundaries
• Self-confident about handling emergencies and stressful situations

Commitment:

• Support the philosophies of Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands and represent our agency and our cause with integrity
• Regard all information about survivors as completely confidential
• Attend and participate in the volunteer advocate training program
• Attend volunteer in-service training meetings
• Be on call at least two shifts a month
• Be responsible for scheduling shifts
• Remain with Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands as a volunteer for at least one year

Benefits:

• Furtherance of career goals
• Sense of accomplishment in knowing that you have helped an individual, your community, and an important cause
• Meeting others and networking with other agencies
• Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands offers volunteer advocates support through individual confidential debriefings