working at a Rape Crisis Centre

 

If you want to volunteer at a rape crisis centre please contact you nearest group for further details. This page gives an overview of some of the services provided and what sort of work you can do within such an organisation.

 

 

Overview

 

A rape crisis centre is where women or girl who has been raped or sexually violated  at any time in her life, whether recently or in the past, can go for information and support. Rape crisis centres also provide information to family friends and other organisations. They seek to promote awareness of the issue of sexual assault through education and by conducting awareness events in their local community. Rape crisis groups provide non-judgmental support to a survivor of sexual violence.

 

 

Services

 

Rape crisis centres may offer the following services:

Telephone help line
     Survivors can call and speak with a woman experienced in this sort of work.

 Face to face services
     Survivors can visit the rape crisis centre and speak to a counsellor in person.

 Hospital Advocacy
     If a survivor chooses to go to the hospital to receive medical treatment,  a rape crisis worker can be there to offer information and support .

 Court Advocacy
     If the complaint is prosecuted, a rape crisis worker can provide information  and support throughout the legal process and in the courtroom.

 Support Groups
     Survivors can discuss their experiences with other survivors in a group setting.

Counselling Services
    Survivors can receive counselling from counsellors who work with the  rape crisis centre.

 

Volunteering

Rape Crisis Centres are frequently looking for empathetic women to work as volunteers. Volunteers are usually required to be 18 years of age or older and be able to donate between 2 – 12 hours weekly, answering calls, helping with paperwork, representing the centre at meetings and responding to survivor needs. Volunteers will usually be initially interviewed and then required to complete a training programme. Some groups will request that volunteers commit to a minimum of six months volunteer service.

 

Remember - if you want to volunteer at a rape crisis centre please contact you nearest group for further details

 

Quotes

 

"Its quite hard at times but incredibly rewarding".

 

"It's the most important thing I've ever done"

"Can you imagine going to work and making a difference in someone's life? This is so important to so many women. It's the most important thing I've ever done and I have met many wonderful women. It's not always easy to pick up the phone because you never know what you are likely to hear. But it's paving the way to rebuilding someone's life".

 

"You just need to listen, that's the most precious gift you can give".

 

"If you had to phone a rape crisis centre wouldn't you want to talk to someone like yourself?"

 

"I've learned a lot but you can never know it all. The important thing is to be there".