Sexual Assault Response Team

Responsibilities:

• Take on-call shifts and be prepared to meet with survivors of recent sexual assaults at Passaic County hospitals at any hour of the day or night.
• Provide immediate emotional support to survivors of recent sexual assaults.
• Facilitate accompaniment to hospital, and medical/police involvement as requested by the survivor.
• Provide information regarding medical and forensic procedures, and options for reporting to police. Survivors are given the opportunity to make informed choices.
• Provide information on follow-up counseling and advocacy services available through Passaic County Women’s Center.
• Provide support and information to family and other support people who are present with the survivor.
• Represent Passaic County Women’s Center in a professional manner and advocate on behalf of the survivor when necessary.

Commitment:

• We ask for a minimum commitment of one year
• At minimum: Three 8-hour on-call shifts per month (24 hours total/month), for a year
• Shifts include overnights, weekends and holidays

Training:

All applicants selected as candidates for the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) shall be required to successfully complete the SART training (approximately 45 hours) before being permitted to respond to any Team activations.

Trainings are offered by the agency when possible. We strive to offer 1-2 trainings per year, but circumstances do not always allow us to offer two trainings. Passaic County Women’s Center (PCWC) provides an approximately 45-hour training program, free of charge, over twelve sessions, facilitated by PCWC staff. Training provides both skill development and personal growth work through a series of lectures, readings, videos, group discussions, activities, and role play opportunities.

Volunteer Requirements:

• Live or work within one hour of the three Passaic County hospitals that provide SART services:
  • St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center in Paterson
  • St. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic
  • Chilton Memorial Hospital in Pequannock Township
• At least 18 years old
• Access to a reliable cell phone
• Access to a reliable vehicle
• Volunteers must demonstrate stability and success in their personal and professional life
• Be responsible, committed, compassionate and open-minded
• Able to maintain and respect confidentiality
• Have no history of perpetration of abuse or violence
• Must pass a criminal background check
• Must be able to attend all training sessions and mandatory monthly SART Team meetings
• We also ask that survivors of sexual assault who would like to become volunteers be at least one year past their assault and have done the healing work necessary to be in a healthy emotional state to be able to help others in crisis

Application Process:

• Application: Fill out the application online here. All information provided in the application remains confidential.
• Interview: After completion and review of the application, applicants who are approved for an interview will be scheduled for an interview with the Sexual Assault Program Coordinator. This gives us a chance to learn more about you as well as an opportunity for you to learn more about the program.
• Criminal Background Check: We include a criminal background check as a part of the application process because we prioritize safety for all of the survivors with whom we work. We are proud to have wonderful, compassionate volunteers on our team who are also upstanding citizens.
• Acceptance: After an interview, reference check, and criminal background check, all applicants will be informed by the Sexual Assault Program Coordinator if they have been accepted into training.
• Training: PCWC provides a free 45 hour training. Trainees are required to attend and participate in all sessions, as well as read the approximately 500-page training manual. There is a test at the end. If a trainee misses a training session, it is her or his responsibility to schedule a make-up session. No more than two sessions can be made up.
• Final Review: After evaluation from training, all trainees will be informed by the Program Coordinator if they have been accepted as a SART volunteer advocate. Trainees who successfully complete the training will receive a certificate at graduation, and, upon completion of the requirements for CSVA certification, will be certified as a Confidential Sexual Violence Advocate.

Interested in Becoming a SART Volunteer?

• Fill out the SART Volunteer Application, click here

Please contact the Sexual Assault Program Coordinator with any questions:

973-881-0725, ext. 205

Email pcwcvounteers@njaconline.org