Urgent Need for SE Minnesota Crisis Phone Line Volunteers

Victim Services Crisis Line Volunteers Needed

It's difficult to imagine, but there aren't enough volunteers to provide emotional support and help to victims/survivors of sexual assault and other crimes. But it is the truth.

Victim Services Hotline #FACT

24 Hour Crisis Line: Call 507-289-0636

There used to be 40 to 50 active volunteers. Now there are 20. That's according to Victim Services Violence Prevention and Volunteer Coordinator Samaneh Khoshini. So...can you help?

Victim Services of Dodge, Fillmore, and Olmsted Counties need people to volunteer to answer the 24/7 crisis line. You take at least one shift a month, and during that time you're the person that can provide emotional support to victims and survivors of sexual assault and other crimes.

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That is a vital role in and of itself, but you'll do more. You'll get the training to be able to offer referrals so people can get the help they need. In fact, you'll have information to pass along to the callers that'll let them know we are a community that cares.

Best of all, you're taking an active role in helping people dealing with sexual assault and other crimes.

Does This Include Victims of Sex Trafficking?

Yes.

"Minnesota youth who engage in prostitution are viewed as victims and survivors, not criminals. They will be treated with dignity and respect and directed to supportive services, shelter, and housing that meet their needs and recognize their right to make their own choices. Sexual exploitation of youth in Minnesota is commonly overlooked, misidentified as something else, and undocumented." (Source)

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This Sounds Great, I Want to Volunteer!

24 Hour Crisis Line: Call 507-289-0636

Crisis line volunteer shifts are nightly from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m. Day shifts on weekends and holidays run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Volunteers must be able to take one shift per month.

All volunteers are required to complete a free, 40-hour sexual assault training program before they start volunteering. Volunteers must pass a background check and live within a 30-minute response time to Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Mary's Campus in Rochester.

Yep, I get It, I'm In, When Can I Get Trained?

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There are ten sessions between June 7th and July 7th of 2022. They run Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m and are in-person at the Olmsted County Government Center, 151 4th Street SE, Rochester, MN

If you want to apply, and you're at least 18-years-old, apply online here.

If you have questions, get in touch with Volunteer Coordinator Samaneh Khoshini at 507-328-7271 or Khoshini.samaneh@co.olmsted.mn.us.

As always, if you have a comment, complaint, or concern about something I wrote here, please let me know: james.rabe@townsquaremedia.com

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