PRESS RELEASE

Womanspace Volunteers Needed
--Non-profit agency supports victims of domestic violence and sexual assault

Recruitment is beginning for new volunteers to join Womanspace’s Domestic Violence Victim Response Team (DVVRT) & Sexual Assault Support Services Advocate Team(SASS).  Team members respond to local police stations or hospitals and meet with victims, providing them with support, information and referral.  Trainings begin this April.

For nine years Womanspace has been collaborating with law enforcement throughout Mercer County to provide victims of domestic violence immediate access to our services.  Beginning in 2002, Womanspace joined with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office to establish the Sexual Assault Response Teams, which includes the SASS volunteers. 

In 2006, DVVRT volunteers were called out 618 times and spoke to 774 people who were affected by violence in their personal relationships.  In that same year, 125 people were supported by SASS advocates. 

New volunteers will receive extensive, specialized training on topics including the law, sensitivity to needs of victims and their children, and how to provide appropriate responses at a very critical time.  Trained volunteers need to be “on call” for 2-4 shifts per month.

Persons interested must be 18 years old, possess a valid driver’s license, have available transportation, pass a criminal background check, and attend mandatory meetings and trainings.  All applicants will be screened for appropriateness.  Bi-lingual individuals, especially those fluent in Spanish, Polish and American Sign Language are encouraged to apply.

Applications must be received by March 9.  For more information contact Heidi Mueller, Womanspace, dvvrt@womanspace.org or call (609) 394-0136, or