Supporting Victims of Crime-Crisis Response Advocate

Our next training will be held in January 2026. See the schedule below. Please reach out if you have any questions or would like to become a volunteer!

Are you looking to build your resume, network with like minded individuals, and provide meaningful services to folks in need? Then this may be the perfect opportunity for you!

This unique volunteer experience provides valuable tools for navigating crisis and conflict by empowering and supporting survivors in the aftermath of abuse and trauma. Our volunteers often refer to their service with us as life changing. We are a small team of individuals from diverse backgrounds who embrace our mission of health, justice, and hope.

The Sexual Assault and Family Trauma Center, a program of Lutheran Community Services Northwest, hosts Spokane's only Certified and Accredited Community Sexual Assault Program (CSAP). Our program provides the following services confidentially and free of charge:

• Information and referral
• Legal advocacy
• Medical advocacy
• Crisis intervention & support
• Education & prevention
• Support groups

Our volunteer advocates assist survivors via a 24-hour support line that can be directed to volunteers at home (no need to sit in a call center) and medical advocacy, which is provided to victims in person at area hospitals when requested.

As a non-profit, we rely on our volunteers to provide services to survivors outside of business hours. We provide a comprehensive 40-hour training and certification free of charge, as well as ongoing supervision and 24-hour support for all our volunteers. We invest in our volunteer staff and in turn, we ask for a one-year commitment of service and four evening or weekend shifts per month. Applicants are thoroughly screened and vetted for service.

Core training is a 40-hour total class teaching a foundational understanding of sexual violence and basic skills for new sexual assault service providers. Core training is a certification that is required by the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy to work as a victims' advocate in Washington state.

January Core Schedule:

1. Orientation, Sexual Assault, and Oppression
   1. Tuesday, Jan 6th, 5:30-8pm, Virtual
2. Child Abuse and Confidentiality
   1. Thursday, Jan 8th, 5:30-8pm, Virtual
3. Advocacy, Trauma-Informed Care, and Crisis Intervention
   1. Saturday, Jan 10th, 9am-1pm, In-Person
4. No Training Session
   1. Tuesday, Jan 13th, N/A
5. Medical Advocacy
   1. Thursday, Jan 15th, 5:30-8pm, Virtual
6. Medical Advocacy Cont.
   1. Saturday, Jan 17th, 9am-1pm, In-Person
7. Role Plays
   1. Tuesday, Jan 20th, 5:30-8pm, Virtual
8. Legal Advocacy
   1. Thursday, Jan 22nd, 5:30-8pm, Virtual
9. Self Care, Policy and Procedure
   1. Monday, Jan 26th, 5:30-8pm, Virtual
10. Crisis Response Advocate Graduation and Team Meeting
    1. Wednesday, Jan 28th, 6-8pm, In-Person

For more information, please contact our Volunteer Supervisor at (509) 343-5011 or email crisisresponseteam@lcsnw.org