FARMINGTON — Volunteer advocates with the Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Services Inc. 24-hour sexual assault crisis and support helpline support people in crisis, provide information to family and loved ones, help to dispel myths and learn listening and communicating skills.

The next advocate training will begin in early February and will conclude by early May. All sessions will meet at the SAVES office, 227 Main St., Floor 2, Holman House. The training is available free of charge in exchange for one year of helpline volunteering.

Applicants must be 18 years or older. No previous experience is required. 

Participants in the class will receive training in basic crisis intervention skills as well as information about the local legal and medical system’s response to sexual violence. Advocates will have the use of a pager while they are on-call and would be reimbursed for any expenses. Supportive ongoing supervision will be provided.

For more information or an application, call or write Julia Terry, community outreach and education coordinator, at SAVES, Inc., P.O. Box 349, Farmington, ME, 04938; call 778-9522; or e-mail jterry@savesrapecrisis.org.

SAVES, supported by the Tri-Valley Area United Way, serves all of Franklin County. The 24-hour support line telephone number is 1-800-871-7741 (1-866-740-9516 if using a cell phone, TTY: 1-800-458-5599).

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