LEWISTON — Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services is looking for volunteer advocates to respond to its 24-hour crisis and support line and make a difference in the lives of people affected by sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, stalking or sexual harassment.

Volunteer advocates listen and provide support, information and referrals to people calling for assistance. Calls can require supporting someone through a difficult memory of childhood sexual abuse, providing support and education about available resources, or accompanying a caller to a local hospital or police station when the survivor chooses to use these resources.

Volunteer advocates receive extensive training and support to prepare them for effectively responding to callers. The training provides insight and information about sexual harassment, stalking, child sexual abuse, sexual assault and the challenges faced by survivors and their supporters. Volunteers are taught the various options and resources available for survivors of all ages in our communities and learn crisis intervention and advocacy skills with special emphasis placed on the importance of self-care.

Volunteer advocates are notified of calls that need to be responded to through their cellphones from the answering service, allowing them to be on call from their homes and choose from a variety of scheduling options. A stipend is available for volunteer advocates who cover evening, weekend and holiday shifts.

Volunteer advocates must be over the age of 18, empathetic and dependable with access to reliable transportation. All potential volunteers must complete the training and a screening process which includes criminal and Department of Health and Human Services background checks. No prior experience is necessary.

The next training session will begin Sept. 16 in Lewiston.

To learn more about becoming a volunteer advocate, please contact Justine Plourde at 754-5523.

FMI: www.sapars.org.