The Victim Center's Volunteer Victim Advocates provide crisis intervention, support, assistance with ex parte orders of protection, referral information, etc. to victims of violent and sexual crimes and their families via through our 24-hour crisis hotline. Training is provided. Expectations and duties include a minimum of two to four call time shifts a month; totaling at least 24 hours. Advocates choose their own shifts. Calls are referred to advocates through an answering service. The crime victim will not have access to your private phone number.

Applicants must be at least 21 years old, or close to it, have a car, and a phone. Volunteer victim advocates are required to attend training sessions and regular monthly advocate meetings. Meetings are held the second Tuesday night of each month. They provide victims of crime with emotional support, crisis intervention, community resources/referral information, and information about The Victim Center's services.

Advocates are asked to complete all paperwork required by The Victim Center and submit it to The Victim Center by the next business day. They are required to keep all information confidential. Many services are provided by phone, but advocates may also be called to respond to crime scenes, hospitals, and law enforcement agencies. They act as a liaison between hospital staff and/or law enforcement and crime victims to reduce trauma. Advocates, while legal advice is not given, also assist crime victims with emergency applications for ex parte orders of protection. There are many procedure protocols in place to protect advocates safety.

Volunteer victim advocate trainings are held approximately two to three times a year. The next training is scheduled on Friday, February 8, 2019, 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, February 9, 2019, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Applicants are required to attend the entire training. Applications and interviews are required beforehand and are underway now.

Please contact Paula Tindell, ptindell@thevictimcenter.org or (417)863-7273, Monday - Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., for more information about The Victim Center's Volunteer Victim Advocate Program and for an application packet and a more detailed job description. Background and reference checks will be conducted before acceptance.

The Victim Center's office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. We think you will love this rewarding and worthwhile opportunity to help crime victims and to give back to the community.