R.A.P.E. Center seeks volunteer advocate applicants

The Syracuse University R.A.P.E. Center seeks SU and SUNY ESF staff and faculty to join the R.A.P.E. Center Volunteer Advocate Program.

The R.A.P.E. Center provides 24-hour, year-round, confidential support and assistance to SU and ESF students who have been impacted by sexual violence. The R.A.P.E. Center works in collaboration with Vera House, Inc., to provide services to SU and ESF students. Volunteer advocates provide crisis response services evenings, nights and weekends, and are critical to the center’s ability to provide these services after hours.

The R.A.P.E. Center is looking for staff and faculty members who are responsible, sensitive to the needs of others, and nonjudgmental. Advocates are expected to listen actively to those in crisis to understand how to best be of assistance and to present all options without attempting to influence decisions. Advocates must uphold the confidentiality and respect the dignity of clients at all times.

Faculty and staff members who are interested in becoming a volunteer advocate must complete an application and return it to the R.A.P.E. Center by Dec. 18. Applicants will be contacted upon receipt of completed applications to schedule an interview. Volunteer advocates must complete the initial training, conducted in partnership with Vera House, Inc., during two weekends in late Jan.-early Feb. 2010. Volunteer advocates are expected to participate on the Vera House on-call schedule in order to complete their training.

To request a position description and application, or to nominate a potential advocate applicant, contact Janet Epstein, associate director, R.A.P.E. Center, at 443-7098 or epsteinj@syr.edu.