Sexual assault response team looks for advocate volunteers

Published 6:51 pm Wednesday, December 21, 2016

ST. JOSEPH — The Sexual Assault Response Team in Berrien County is currently seeking advocate volunteer for abuse survivors to assist specially-trained sexual assault nurse examiners, who provide around-the-clock care to help sexual assault survivors begin the healing process and receive the support they need to live full, satisfying lives.

“The Sexual Assault Response Team in Berrien County consists of counselors, law enforcement officials, physicians, sexual assault nurse examiners, children’s advocacy center, and social workers all who are committed to helping survivors and ending sexual abuse in southwest Michigan,” said Teresa Yoakum, SANE/AVAS coordinator with Lakeland Health. “Advocate volunteers are crucial in assisting this team, by providing emotional assistance and support to survivors of abuse and assault during the initial examination process.”

Advocate volunteers must be able to serve for a minimum of 24 hours per month (six hours per week). On-call shifts will be assigned on a rotational basis, and advocate volunteers who are “on-call” must respond if a call occurs during their shift.

Advocate volunteers must also successfully complete a comprehensive three-day training program to ensure they’re properly equipped to work with sexual assault survivors.

The next training session will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 24 through 26 in at the Lakeland at Meadowbrook conference room, located at 2550 Meadowbrook Road, Benton Harbor. Applications are due by Friday, Jan. 13, in order to attend this training session.

Ongoing education and training will be provided to advocate volunteers to further develop and enhance the appropriate skills and compassionate support services they provide to patients.

“Every two minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted, and in Berrien County, more than 300 children and 40 adults reported being sexually abused or assaulted in 2014,” Yoakum said. “These numbers are only a glimpse into the prevalence of sexual assault throughout our community and country — less than half of survivors report their attacks.”

For more information or to obtain an application, call (269) 687-1880, email tyoakum@lakelandhealth.org or visit lakelandhealth.org/sane.