Scope
of work for Volunteers/Advocates
24-Hour
Crisis Line:
Duties:
To provide support, crisis intervention, information, referrals,
and advocacy to victims/survivors of sexual assault, their friends,
family members, or significant others. To provide information to
other callers who are seeking any services relevant to sexual assault
and/or relationship violence. Advocates are also required to follow
all policies and procedures outlined in the training and offered
in the on call manuals.
Protocol:
Volunteers carry a cell phone during her/his shift and respond immediately
to all incoming crisis calls (from home or elsewhere).
24-Hour
Sexual Assault Resource Service (SARS):
Duties:
To provide in-person support, crisis intervention, information,
referrals, and advocacy to victims of recent sexual assault at local
hospital emergency rooms. Support may also be for any friends, family
members and significant others present with victims. Advocates communicate
with medical and law enforcement personnel about needs of victim/survivor,
and also provide relevant and needed resources and referrals to
recent victim/survivor and family if needed.
Protocol:
Advocates carry a cell phone and respond to calls from law enforcement
and local hospitals to provide immediate response to the victim
at the hospital emergency room. Advocates coordinate the dispatching
of the forensic examiner and location of exam site. Advocates are
responsible for their own transportation to and from hospitals.
Advocates are required to respond to all hospitals in the Tucson
area even if no forensic exam will be performed.
**All
volunteers/advocates have an after-hour crisis supervisor available
on-call during her/his shift for assistance and support **
Volunteer/Advocate
Commitment:
Time
Commitment:
Potential volunteers/advocates are expected to attend a 60-hour
training that includes a reference check and exit interview. Volunteer/advocates
are expected to complete at least two shifts a month during evenings,
weekends or holidays, and attend monthly meetings. Volunteers/advocates
are asked to commit to one year of service with the Crisis Line
or SARS program. It is possible to obtain class or internship credit
for these positions.
Qualifications:
All volunteers must:
