Volunteer Sexual Assault Hotline Advocate

Job Description: Mental Health Partners MESA Volunteer Advocate

Title:  MESA Volunteer Advocate

Supervised by:  Hotline Supervisor, MESA/MHP

Time Required:  One 24-hour weekend shift per month or three, seven-hour text line shifts per month, two evening meetings (per month); paperwork

Training Provided:  minimum 40 hours of multidisciplinary training by MESA/MHP

1.  General Duties and Responsibilities:

This is a volunteer/unpaid position through Mental Health Partners and MESA. Volunteers must first pass a background check before volunteering as an advocate. Volunteer advocates commit to staffing a 24-hour crisis/in-person response line, including holiday coverage, to provide in-person crisis intervention, emotional support, legal and medical advocacy, information, and referrals for survivors of sexual violence, their friends, and family.

2.     Specific Tasks

• Provide telephonic, text and in-person response for survivors of sexual violence, their friends and family.
• Supply immediate emotional support, information and referrals to sexual assault survivors and their significant others in person and/or telephonically.
• Act as an advocate for the client during law enforcement investigations; the criminal justice process; courtroom appearances; and medical procedures, including evidence exam.

3.     Definition of Duties:

• Be on-call during assigned shifts, a minimum of 24 hours a month on the hotline or text line
• Provide emotional support, information and referrals to sexual assault clients and their loved ones.
• Collaborate with other agencies (law enforcement, hospital personnel, etc.) to benefit clients and coordinate care.
• Provide thorough and appropriate follow-up, support, and referral services, as needed for each client.
• Protect the confidentiality of all clients, except when mandatory reporting applies, and to provide counseling according to generally accepted ethical principles.
• Complete all MESA paperwork and data collection within one hour of the end of a phone call or hospital accompaniment.
• Follow the MESA Fundamental Guidelines.
• Attend all required monthly team and supervision group meetings. Monthly meetings are 2 hours the first Thursday of each month. Supervision groups (Super Groups) meet once a month for 2 hours.
• Communicate with staff about scheduling conflicts or changes.
• Ensure clients are aware of rights and protections throughout the criminal legal process.