Learn New Skills While Training to Advocate for Victims in Union County

By Union County Office of Public Information

The Union County Department of Human Services is looking for volunteers to provide guidance and advocacy for victims of sexual assault. No previous experience in crisis counseling is necessary. All volunteers receive training and are provided with experienced mentors.

Volunteers who complete the training are certified as Advocates. They answer calls and provide guidance to victims over the phone through the Union County Rape Crisis Center, a program of the Union County Department of Human Services. On request, Volunteer Advocates also accompany victims to hospitals, police stations and courtrooms.

The Union County Rape Crisis Center was established in 1984, to help victims of sexual assault reclaim their lives in the aftermath of a crisis. Additional information and personal Volunteer Advocate stories are available at unioncountyrapecrisiscenter.blogspot.com.

The next training course for new volunteers will consist of two evenings a week for a total of 13 sessions. Most sessions will take place on Tuesday and Thursday, and two will take place on Wednesday. All sessions will be held at the Ralph J. Froehlich Public Safety Building in Westfield, starting at 5:30 p.m. and ending at or before 9:30 p.m. A pre-training interview will be scheduled before the course begins on October 1.

To schedule an interview or for more information, call the Union County Rape Crisis Center hotline at 908-233-7273