Rape Care Advocates

The Rape Care Advocate is the first-responder when a victim is sexually assaulted.

Process of becoming a Rape Care Advocate:

• At any point, email the following information to hramos (at) christhospital (dot) org or call/leave a message at 201 795 8375 x 5269 ) :
  
  Name
  Phone number
  Mailing Address
  Email
  
• Schedule an in-person pre-meeting with the HCRCC Program Director up to ONE WEEK PRIOR to training start date.
  
• Attend the free 40 hour training series.
  
• Trainings are typically held in the fall and spring.
  
• Upon completion of training series, certification to become a Rape Care Advocate in Hudson County is awarded to you at a completion ceremony.

Criteria for Volunteer Rape Care Advocate Applicants Prospective Rape Care Advocates must meet the following criteria to be considered for volunteer Advocate Training.

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must have access to dependable transportation.
• Must be able to fulfill the 40 hours committment required to complete the Advocate Training as well as monthly on-call shifts and meetings.
• Must commit to 30 hours on a monthly basis to maintain Rape Care Advocate position.
• The 30 hours are typically broken up into five 6 hour shifts, and based on each volunteer's availability.
• Proven ability to deal with confidential information.
• Demonstrate non-prejudicial attitudes towards victims, victimizations and a sensitivity to victim's needs.
• Must be able to work with a minimum of supervision, but possess an ability to accept direction and guidance.
• Provide appriopriate responses to volunteer interview questions.
• Endorsement of agency philosophy regarding sexual assault.
• Ability to relate to persons of all races, age groups, lifestyles, and socio-economic backgrounds.

Role of the Rape Care Advocate:

• Focus on the victim
• Promote victim healing through counseling and emotional support.
• Ensure the victim is informed regarding all processess, options and resources.
• Protect the victim's integrity and ensure the victim is treated respectfully and compassionately and that all options are being accorded her

Responsibilities of the Rape Care Advocate:

• Believe the victim
• Be non-judgmental
• Recognize the sexual assault victim's unique needs and concerns
• provide emotional support throughout ENTIRE healing process
• Offer infortmaion regarding all available services, procedures, and options
• Explain the importance of seeking medical attention
• Explain the value of immediate evidence collection and early police reporting
• CAution against the loss of evidence
• Facilitate communication with law enforcement and medical professionals
• Act as the victim's eyes and ears at a time when the victim may be too overwhlemed to retain all the infortmation of all procedures and processes
• Provide a safe, neutral and confidential outlet to explore and weigh options
• Allow and encourage the victim to take control
• Support the victim's decisions and choice of options
• Help the victim to process and uinderstand her feelings about the assault
• Explain typical reactions and steps in the healing process
• Develop a safety plan and methods for achieving normalcy in the aftermath of the assault
• Provide referrals, victim's rights information and victim compensation information
• Assist with impact statements

Rape Care Advocates DO NOT:

• tell the victim what to do
• Speak on behalf of the victim or disclose victim information without the victim's written consent
• Assist with evidence collection procedures or handling of evidence
• Make police reports
• Transport the victim