In Crisis? 
The Sexual Assault Crisis Program (SACP) supports people who have experienced sexual assault and other forms of sexual violence with volunteers providing a key role in this important service. Volunteering in SACP allows people to further develop their crisis counselling skills providing in-person support at either the hospital or police setting. To reflect the unique contribution that SACP volunteers make, they are referred to as SACP Advocates.
We recognize that in-person sexual assault trauma work is multilayered and complex and requires our staff and volunteers to have specific training and experience in order to provide quality care to our clients. In addition to providing phone-based crisis counselling, SACP Advocates also work unsupervised and independently in the community, meet with clients in person, liaise with multiple service providers, and do a significant amount of advocacy work.
All SACP Advocates must:
- Be female-identified, as our clients of all genders have identified that having a female-identified worker feels safest.
- Complete Crisis Volunteer Training and a minimum of three months volunteering on the phone lines in the crisis program.
More about the SACP Advocate Role & Requirements
What is the difference between a Crisis shift and a SACP shift?
When volunteers fulfill a Crisis shift, they are required to answer any of the calls that come in on lines they have been trained to answer. When volunteers fulfill a SACP shift they are also expected to answer any of the calls that come in on lines they are trained to answer, with the added responsibility to support a survivor offsite at either a medical facility (most commonly the Health Sciences Center), or a Winnipeg Police Service detachment should a request for support be made. The in-person, off-site work is what differentiates the Crisis role from the SACP role.
Why do applicants have to complete 3 months on the phone lines before participating in SACP?
The three-month probationary period gives new volunteers the opportunity to develop the necessary crisis intervention and communication skills with the support of staff and experienced volunteers in the crisis room. An evaluation after three months also gives active volunteers important feedback on their observable skills, areas of strength, and those skills needing additional practice. Once the probationary period has ended, volunteers who have demonstrated an aptitude for the skills needed for in-person advocacy and support may communicate their interest in pursuing a more involved role with SACP.
What additional training and skills do SACP Advocates require?
SACP Advocates are required to attend an additional eight 3.5-hour sessions of specialized training. During this extended training, volunteers will learn important medical and legal information, will practice advocating clearly and professionally, and will develop their ability to respond to people in distress with compassion through role plays and other relevant learning opportunities.
What does being an Advocate mean?
In SACP, advocacy means using a trauma-informed lens to ensure that people who have experienced sexual assault or other forms of gender-based violence do not experience further harm when they are seeking assistance and care. SACP uses an empowerment model that focuses on supporting the hopes and choices of the survivor. SACP Advocates may provide support and advocacy with the police, at the hospital or in court, or at any other medical or legal follow-up appointments related to the sexual assault. This extends to taking an active role in facilitating communication between clients, people the client has brought in for support such as a friend or family member, other professionals supports, and working closely with our partners on the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).
Additional Information about the SACP Commitment
After the successful completion of the SACP extended training, SACP Advocates are expected to honour a 6-month volunteer commitment consisting of one 4-hour office shift per week in the Crisis Room, two overnight on-call shifts per month, and one 1.5-hour small group supervision session bimonthly. The office shift will be on a consistent schedule with the opportunity for flexibility during on-call shifts month-to-month.
Why do SACP Advocates attend additional group supervision?
Klinic recognizes the effect that the exposure to trauma can have and prioritizes the wellbeing of staff and volunteers. All volunteers, Crisis and SACP, get timely supervision and debriefing opportunities during their office shift by their staff or volunteer shift supervisor. Additionally, SACP Advocates may witness and be affected by many aspects of client care immediately following a sexual assault. This could include hearing about the trauma a survivor has experienced, seeing injuries, being present during medical care, and being present during police statements. Receiving support, validation and encouragement in a group with others who provide similar care is an important strategy to take care of those who take care of others.
How do I get more info about SACP?
We welcome and encourage potential volunteers to ask questions about SACP. Initial questions can be brought to the Volunteer Program Coordinator (volunteerintake@klinic.mb.ca). Once a volunteer begins working in the Crisis Program questions can be asked to anyone familiar with SACP.