‘Victims should never be alone’
D/SAOC trains volunteers to listen and helpBy KATIE WILLIAMS, Messenger staff writer
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At a glance
D/SAOC Victim Advocate Training
Sept. 19, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sept. 20 and 21, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
To register call Penny Lewis or Keshia Meissner, 955-2273.
Not everyone can become a victim advocate for the Domestic/Sexual Assault Outreach Center, but training can take an applicant one step closer.
D/SAOC will hold a free, three-day session next week for volunteers who are interested in helping out their community by becoming a victim advocate. Victim advocates are on call after regular business hours to answer calls from people who are looking for support.
''Most people who call in are looking for information and options,'' said Christine Dayton, executive director of D/SAOC. ''Domestic violence is unacceptable. Victims should never be alone.''
Volunteers assure that there is always someone at D/SAOC to answer their calls, said Dayton.
D/SAOC will train volunteers in crisis intervention techniques, communication skills, dynamics of victimization and resources for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Individuals who are chosen to continue beyond the first step in the training process can go on to become certified victim advocates. Once certified, an advocate answers calls between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. during their assigned week. Calls can come in from any of the eight counties D/SAOC covers - Webster, Wright, Hamilton, Humboldt, Pocahontas, Crawford, Carroll and Calhoun.
''You get anywhere from one to 10 calls in a week,'' said Ruth Edwards, a volunteer advocate at D/SAOC. ''And you never know where they are from.''
Edwards was a social worker for schools and had often advised students and parents to seek counseling at D/SAOC. After she retired from her job, she wanted to give back and became a victim advocate. She has been taking calls for 11 years.
''You have to be a good listener and care about people,'' Edwards said. ''A majority are just wanting to talk. You encourage them to make an appointment with a counselor.'' She advises them about safety plans and offers options for the ''what if'' situations.
''You treat everyone with respect,'' said Penny Lewis, operations manager at D/SAOC. ''We need people who aren't going to be judgmental, people who are going to treat them with compassion and support. We empower them and be there for them.''
Lewis said advocates don't offer advice on what to do. They simply offer information and options.
Advocates meet every Tuesday for training and personal support.
''Even though the volunteers aren't on the payroll, they are just as important as the staff,'' said Dayton. ''We wouldn't be able to offer the support that we do without our volunteers.''
It is because of those volunteers that they are able to offer 24-hour support seven days a week.
Dayton said many of those interested in becoming an advocate know someone who has been affected by domestic violence or sexual abuse.
''We work together as a team,'' Dayton said. ''Everyone knows what everyone else is going through and there is always someone there to back you up.''
The training will be held Sept. 19, 20 and 21. Anyone interested in participating in the training session should contact Lewis or Keshia Meissner at 955-2273. An individual who is interested in participating, but who can't make it to all three days of training, can work out a schedule with Lewis or Meissner.
Contact Katie Williams at (515) 573-2141 or katie@messengernews.net
