Sexual Assault Victim Advocate
Women's Center
**CURRENTLY A VIRTUAL OPPORTUNITY Does require you to be local for training and when we are able to provide in person services again.
Be a Sexual Assault Victim Advocate! This is a great way to help someone in their time of need.
A SAVS volunteer advocate is a person who is there to comfort a victim who has experienced a rape or sexual assault. A victim who calls the SAVS hotline and requests a forensic exam will be directed to the Exam Center and a specialized nurse (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) as well as a victim advocate will be called out to meet them. Advocates also attend exams conducted at Brevard county hospital ER's. Advocates attend a forensic exam to be the support system for a victim. Having a caring and compassionate victim advocate present during this difficult time is such a blessing for the victims and their family members (if present). The advocate offers emotional support and gives important information to the victim for follow up services.
In order to be one of our valued volunteer advocates, you must complete an online training course that can be done from the comfort of your home. This will be followed by a background check/fingerprinting, an interview, and additional training at The Women’s Center. This includes shadowing with an experienced advocate at a forensic exam before you go on your own.
Our advocates sign up each month for the shifts that they are available to be "on-call".
Please contact the SAVS Volunteer Coordinator Sierra Thompson sthompson@womenscenter.net or 321-242-3110, ext: 2111.
About Women's Center
Location:
1425 Aurora Rd., Melbourne, FL 32935, US
Mission Statement
To assist in creating safe, healthy, self-sufficient lives by providing support, education, counseling, information and services to survivors of domestic, dating and sexual violence and to those suffering the ill effects of poverty, homelessness and mental health challenges.
Description
Many women alone and those who are in abusive relationships have a tough time trying to survive in today's fast-paced world. Their circumstances cross all economic, age, and cultural spheres. They may be disadvantaged by low self-esteem. They may have educational deficiencies and low income capacity. In all cases, these women struggle as they try to take responsibility for themselves and any children they may have.
The Women's Center strives to address the needs of women by giving them a step up towards safe, healthy, self-sufficient lives.
Every day, women come to us without the ability to provide for themselves and their families. These women often are abused and battered, and looking for advocacy, guidance, and support. Thanks to our volunteers and loyal supporters who give so much of their time and resources, and the benefits of grant awards, the Women's Center is able to provide counseling services, financial assistance, career guidance, job training, transitional housing, and victim advocacy. The Center is proud to be able to help annually over 10,000 women and their children who seek out our assistance.
Helping women to help themselves means making it possible for Women's Center clients to not only support themselves, but to become active and proud participants in the community. By supporting the Women's Center through your time, talent, and treasure, you give the gift of hope and you change lives for the better...forever.