County Needs Volunteers to Work With Victims of Sexual Assault

Montgomery County is looking for volunteers to assist sexual assault victims and their families through the Victim Assistance and Sexual Assault Program (VASAP) of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. Interviews are currently being conducted for a September 2014 training session. In 2013, VASAP outreach volunteers donated more than 10,000 hours while serving victims of sexual assault in Montgomery County.

Volunteers provide 24-hour crisis counseling and companion services at Montgomery County hospitals and police stations for victims of rape and sexual assault. Bilingual volunteers are encouraged to apply.

All potential volunteers must attend a training program, which covers crisis intervention skills and the specialized knowledge of the emotional, medical and legal issues that victims face. Volunteers must commit to serve for one year, in an on-call capacity, for one 12-hour shift or two six-hour shifts per week. All volunteers must be at least 21 years of age, Montgomery County residents, have a valid driver’s license and immediate access to transportation.

For more information or to arrange an interview, call the Montgomery County Victim Assistance and Sexual Assault Program at 240.777.1355 or go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/vasap.

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