FARMINGTON – Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Services Inc. 24-hour Rape Crisis Hotline is staffed by a team of volunteer advocates. The advocates come from all walks of life and have various educational backgrounds.

SAVES will offer free training to become a hot line advocate starting on Sept. 23 and running each Tuesday except for holidays and school vacations from 6 to 9 p.m. Two Saturdays are also required to participate in counseling skills labs and to practice role play. The training will conclude on Dec. 6. Participants must be 18 or older to apply. This course is available free of charge to those who will volunteer with SAVES.

No previous experience is required to attend this training, just an honest, caring spirit and a willingness to learn. Participants will receive specialized training in crisis intervention skills, information about the legal and medical systems response to sexual violence, the use of a pager while on call, and ongoing supervision.

For more information and/or application, phone or write Pamela Adams, director of client services at SAVES Inc., P.O. Box 349, Farmington, ME 04938 or phone 778-9522.