What are the responsibilities and job description for the VOLUNTEER - Victim Advocate Internship position at The Compass Center?
Victim Advocate Intern
Classification: Intern/unpaid
Reports to: Director of Community Advocacy
GENERAL ROLE DESCRIPTION
The Victim Advocate Intern is responsible for assisting the advocacy team in providing advocacy to survivors of sexual and domestic violence. This includes opportunities to engage in institutional advocacy activities within the Civil and Criminal Justice System. Additionally, the Victim Advocate Intern will provide crisis intervention, emotional support, medical advocacy, and appropriate referral/linkages to domestic and sexual assault victims/survivors and their significant others through the emergency department of contract hospitals, telephone crisis calls, and walk-in requests.
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Assist the advocacy team in providing services for domestic and sexual assault survivors including: follow-up phone calls to police stations, assistant state’s attorneys, filing for Crime Victims Compensation, and back-up court accompaniment as needed.
2.. Attend meetings, in addition to staff, that encompass the Civil and Criminal Justice System as requested.
3. Provide crisis intervention, as well as information and referrals via the office telephone.
4. Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, and medical/legal advocacy to survivors seen in the emergency department.
5. Maintain accurate and complete records of all services, including the client database.
6. Complete projects designed specifically for the internship
Required Hours:
- Required to be available at least 20 hours per week
Other Functions
- Assist with grant and fundraising work
- Participate in special activities the agency produces
- Other duties as determined by intern, supervisor, or as required by the university supervisor
- Assist with training of volunteers and interns
- Conduct presentations and trainings for The Compass Center, as needed
Competencies:
- Confidentiality
- Ethical conduct
- Flexibility
- Initiative
- Time management
- Collaboration skills
- Stress management/composure
- Problem-solving/analysis
Work environment:
This internship operates in an extremely busy professional office environment.
REQUIREMENTS
The Victim Advocate Intern requires strong interpersonal skills, an ability to advocate for the needs/rights of others, and good verbal and written communication skills. Completion of online advocacy training modules within the first month is required. Computer skills required. Undergraduate course work in criminal justice, social work or pre-law preferred. Please note internships with The Compass Center’s Advocacy Program are for a minimum of one year.
