Volunteer Victim Advocate for People Against Rape

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The purpose of being a volunteer for People Against Rape is to offer support, crisis intervention, and advocacy services to adult sexual assault victims (all genders). As an advocate, your job will be to answer calls from the twenty-four-hour, seven days a week People Against Rape Hotline, provide information, accompany victims to the hospital, and refer victims to appropriate services. Duties and Responsibilities:

• Must commit to at least 24 hours of coverage per month as an on-call advocate.
• Must be reachable by phone during scheduled shift.
• MUST respond to PAR Hotline phone calls.
• Must be able to respond to the hospital within 30 minutes of the call.
• If unable to cover scheduled shift, find a replacement On-Call Advocate.

Qualifications:

• Must attend PAR advocate training course.
• Must be at least one-year post trauma.
• Must have the ability to work effectively victims, police, and medical personnel.
• Must be reliable and maintain confidentiality.
• Must be flexible. You must have the ability to apply basic concepts and information to a wide variety of unexpected situations.
• Must have the ability to work within boundaries of PAR’s regulations and procedures.
• Must be 18.
• Must have a car.

Time Commitment:

• Work a minimum of 24 hours every month for a one-year commitment upon completion of training.
• On-call shifts are each day of the week, 24/7. You have flexibility and are able to schedule your call to suit your life!
• On-call calendar is available online. You do not come into the office or a call center. You receive all calls from your cell.

Location of Job: Volunteers may cover their shifts from any location as long as they are reachable by phone and are able to drive to MUSC within thirty minutes.

Benefits of Volunteering:

• Direct contact with victims in crisis.
• Basic and on-going training to improve communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a variety of people in diverse crisis situations.
• Opportunity to network with others who work with crime victims.

Other Volunteer Opportunities:

• PAR advocates may assist in educating the public about sexual assault issues such as date rape, risk reduction, and sexual harassment.
• Assistance with tabling events in the community to engage with folks in the tri-county area at health fairs, church events, colleges, community festivals, and other outreach events.
• Assistance at PAR fundraiser or engagement events during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Take Back the Night, Bar Outreach, and other community events.