Student Advocacy Resource Center

Student Advocacy Resource Center

Peer Advocacy Program

Becoming a SARC peer advocateprovides you with an excellent opportunity to become involved with positive change on campus while learning valuable skills in crisis intervention and advocacy. As a peeradvocate working with the Student Advocacy Resource Center (SARC), you will be a part of a program based on the empowerment model, a model where survivors are assisted, supported, and given tools to reclaim their power. Upon completion of 40 hours of training and after an approval process, SARC advocates provide emotional support, advocacy, and valuable referrals to survivors.

Peer Advocate duties and expectations include:

Complete 40 hours of SARC Advocate Training and commit to volunteer for 1 school year.

Ensure confidential communication with all survivors.

Provide emotional support, crisis stabilization, education and referrals to survivors and their partners, friends, and family.

Respond appropriately and empathetically to a crisis situation.

Consistently participate in and learn from constructive feedback.

Staff the 24-hr support line during the academic year.

Inform the survivor of options.

Attend mandatory group supervision meetings every week until the end of the school year.

Work a minimum of one office shift and one evening/weekend support line shift per week.

Document all client contacts with appropriate paperwork.

Adhere to all SARC policies and procedures.

Remain committed to non-violence and to the empowerment of all survivors.

Maintain a respectful attitude toward all people regardless of gender, culture, ethnic group, religion, or sexual orientation.

Independent study or internship credits are available through some departments.

SARC advocates are carefully selected, beginning with this written application. Applications can be dropped off at theSARC office or returned via email. After reviewing applications, we will select individuals to interview before training begins in August.

Contact SARC at 406.243.6429 with any questions or e-mail the Advocate Coordinator: for more information.

Application

For the

Peer Advocacy Program

At the

Student Advocacy Resource Center

NAME:

ADDRESS:

Local

Permanent

PHONE: ______

LocalPermanent

EMAIL:

MAJOR: G.P.A. YEAR IN SCHOOL:____

University affiliations (clubs, groups, etc.)______

Please answer the following questions: (attach page if you need more space)

1) Why do you want to be a peer advocate at SARC?

2.) What pertinent skills or experience do you have that you think would be helpful to you as an advocate? Please list relevant experience in crisis intervention, phone work, personal experience, etc.

3.) Why do you think interpersonal violence (stalking, relationship violence, and sexual assault) occurs so prevalently in our culture?

4.) How are the issues of relationship violence, stalking and sexual assault related to forms of oppression such as racism, sexism, homophobia, heterosexism, classism, etc?

How do these issues affect you? How will they affect your work as an advocate?

Describe your comfort level with looking at these biases in yourself and our culture.

How would you address a fellow advocate or SARC staff if you heard someone make a homophobic remark?

How would you respond if a fellow advocate confronted you on a comment you made?

5.) Please address how you would work with the following groups: male survivors, gay men, lesbians, individual with strong religious beliefs, bisexual men and women, transgender men and women, women seeking abortions, people of color.

6.) Imagine you are working with a person who is in an abusive relationship and not ready to leave that relationship. The SARC training will prepare you to support whatever decision they make, however this can be difficult personally. How would you respond? What services might you offer this person?

Why do you think a person might stay with an abusive partner?

7.) Imagine that you are working with a rape survivor. SARC training will provide you with the tools to support the survivor in making her/his own choice. This survivor tells you that s/he does not want to report. Describe any feelings that might bring up.

8.) An important aspect of the SARC experience is working closely with the staff and other Advocates. We emphasize the importance of teamwork, open communication, feedback, support, and responding respectfully with differences and conflict. What aspects of working as a member of this team may be most challenging for you?

What strengths do you think would contribute to the process?

Would you be willing to seek supervision, or suggest a referral, if you find you are having difficulty working with someone?

9.) SARC relies on the dedication and commitment of advocates to ensure that we can offer the services we do. There is a significant time commitment required to be a SARC Advocate.

40 hours of required advocate training.

Can you commit to working two 2-hour shifts in the office or one 2-hour shift and one overnight phone shift each week?

Are you willing and able to attend the weekly Advocate Meeting?

(Meetings are scheduled on a weekday based on each advocates’ availability and held from 4-5:00pm)

Can you commit to a minimum of one school year?

RETURN THIS APPLICATION tothe SARC Office in the Curry Health Center, Room 108 by Friday April 28th, 2017. Late applications may still be accepted.