Become a Volunteer Rape Crisis Hospital Advocate!
Victims Assistance Services is a comprehensive organization that provides free, confidential advocacy, therapy, and assistance with compensation to victims of crime in Westchester County, NY. We are also the county's Rape Crisis Program, meaning we staff a 24-hour crisis hotline available locally and through RAINN, and provide 24/7 response to area hospitals if a sexual assault victim comes into the ER.
We are currently looking for volunteer hospital advocates to cover night and weekend shifts for our hospital advocacy! Hospital advocates provide crucial emotional support and advocate on behalf of the victim so that their rights are upheld in the medical and criminal justice systems. Advocates are often the first person to listen and validate the survivor's needs and feelings after an assault.
Are you interested?
- Volunteer hospital advocates must undergo a 30-hour Department of Health training, facilitated in our Elmsford, NY office. That training concludes with an exam, which volunteers need to pass with an 80 percent or better.
- Volunteers take 3-4 shifts per month – our schedule is very flexible and works easily around work and school schedules!
- Volunteers become part of a growing, thriving activist community: we hold monthly meetings to support and connect with each other, and continuing education is a crucial component of our service to the county.
The next training begins on Thursday, February 7th at 6:00pm in Elmsford.
Please contact Chloe Heintz, Rape Crisis Program Coordinator, at cheintz@westcop.org or (914) 345-3113 for more information!
Victims Assistance Services is a component of WestCOP, Inc.
