Spring Break
Rape center looks for victim advocacy volunteers
Pat Lohmann
Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: News
The Rape Crisis Center of Central New Mexico needs volunteers to provide information and comfort to survivors of sexual assault.
Advocates provide 24-hour counseling and education services, in person or by phone, for sex crime victims, said Rosanna Cordova, crisis services manager for RCC.
"We have hospital advocacy programs where advocates will go out and accompany a survivor during the process," she said.
The center has 55 volunteer and staff employees, she said. All
advocates must take a five-week, 40-hour course before they can start working with sexual assault victims.
"During those 40 hours, the advocates learn about how oppression works and how that intersects with sexual violence," Cordova said.
Volunteers learn communication skills and how to deal with domestic violence victims.
Cordova said the center emphasizes informing victims of their options, rather than providing advice on their next course of action.
"It's like we're waiters," said sophomore Rachel Lenger, a volunteer at the center. "We present all these options, and then we just wait to see if anyone wants to do anything."
One of the primary options presented to victims is an examination by Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, or S.A.N.E.
"What we do at Albuquerque S.A.N.E. is we provide services for sexual assault victims that would like to have an examination," said Lidya Vandiver, the clinical coordinator for Albuquerque S.A.N.E.
S.A.N.E. provides free treatments for victims, emergency pregnancy contraception, treatment for STIs and extra medications.
"The nurses also will testify, so if it gets to a point where it does get to court, the nurse goes to testify on the patient's injuries and the evidence we've collected," Vandiver said.
Lenger said victims need advocates to help them reduce anxiety and feel safe after they are assaulted or raped.
She said problems continue to rise even after an attack.
Advocates provide 24-hour counseling and education services, in person or by phone, for sex crime victims, said Rosanna Cordova, crisis services manager for RCC.
"We have hospital advocacy programs where advocates will go out and accompany a survivor during the process," she said.
The center has 55 volunteer and staff employees, she said. All
advocates must take a five-week, 40-hour course before they can start working with sexual assault victims.
"During those 40 hours, the advocates learn about how oppression works and how that intersects with sexual violence," Cordova said.
Volunteers learn communication skills and how to deal with domestic violence victims.
Cordova said the center emphasizes informing victims of their options, rather than providing advice on their next course of action.
"It's like we're waiters," said sophomore Rachel Lenger, a volunteer at the center. "We present all these options, and then we just wait to see if anyone wants to do anything."
One of the primary options presented to victims is an examination by Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, or S.A.N.E.
"What we do at Albuquerque S.A.N.E. is we provide services for sexual assault victims that would like to have an examination," said Lidya Vandiver, the clinical coordinator for Albuquerque S.A.N.E.
S.A.N.E. provides free treatments for victims, emergency pregnancy contraception, treatment for STIs and extra medications.
"The nurses also will testify, so if it gets to a point where it does get to court, the nurse goes to testify on the patient's injuries and the evidence we've collected," Vandiver said.
Lenger said victims need advocates to help them reduce anxiety and feel safe after they are assaulted or raped.
She said problems continue to rise even after an attack.
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