MOUNT MORRIS — Livingston County Rape Crisis Service helps victims of sexual abuse, and their loved ones, cope during troubled times. But the important program is currently in need of volunteers to help keep it going.
Counselor Sarah Keller said the program needs female and male volunteers over the age of 18 to help answer the crisis hotline after hours, as well as to make hospital and in-person visits to victims in need of support.
When people call the rape crisis hotline during business hours, they’re connected to a counselor, but after hours, the hotline is connected to volunteers who work 16-hour shifts three to four times a month.
The program is always in need of these important volunteers, said Keller. Volunteer candidates are interviewed before being accepted. They then take part in a two-week training session on how to answer hotline calls and how to make in-person visits. After being accepted as a volunteer, a one-year commitment is expected. Volunteers also go through a 10-hour training session taught by Keller each year and participate in monthly meetings.
Rape Crisis Service offers short-term counseling of six to eight sessions to past and present victims of sexual abuse, their families, friends and significant others. Keller also counsels groups. She runs two women’s support groups, as well as groups for girls focusing on self-esteem building. She works with the county’s school districts and school counselors, who recommend girls to join her group.
For one of the women’s support groups, she works with the local shelter to counsel women in need. The other adult support group is open to anyone in need.
The Livingston County Rape Crisis Service has locations at 116 Main Street, Mount Morris and at the Lauderdale Health Center on the SUNY Geneseo campus.
Those interested in volunteering may email Keller at skeller@pprsr.org, or call her at (585) 658-2370. Those interested in receiving counseling may call the hotline at 1-800-527-1757.