FARMINGTON – The Sexual Assault Victim’s Emergency Services (SAVES) is looking for volunteers.

SAVES 24-hour Rape Crisis and Information Hotline is dependent on its volunteer advocates. Twice each year, in the fall and spring, SAVES offers an advocate training to residents in Franklin County. This year’s training is due to begin on Tuesday, Sept. 13.

The training will continue from 6 to 9 p.m. each Tuesday except for holidays and school vacations. The training sessions will conclude by Nov. 29. One Saturday class will be held on Oct. 22 to participate in a counseling skills lab and to practice role playing.

SAVES provides all the training necessary for someone to become a helpful support person to those who have been affected by sexual violence.

The course seeks to increase awareness around sexual assault issues in society and to develop skills in crisis counseling. It will teach participants how to empower themselves and others who have been the victim of sexual assault or rape.

The advocate will be prepared to staff the 24-hour hotline and help support individuals, families and significant others in their recovery from the issues surrounding sexual assault and rape. Advocates will have the use of a pager while they are on-call and would be reimbursed for expenses.

Persons must be 18 years or over to apply. The course is available free to those who will volunteer with SAVES. University of Maine at Farmington credit may be available to qualified students in psychology, community health or women’s studies.

For more information and/or an application, call or write Pamela Adams, director of client services, SAVES Inc., P.O. Box 349, Farmington, ME 04938.

SAVES is a United Way agency serving all of Franklin County. The 24-hour hotline number is 1-800-871-7741. Local cell phone users should call 778-0110 to access the hotline.