The Sexual Assault Crisis Center has set its fall training session to begin Oct. 3. The center also provides information to the community regarding crimes like rape and child sexual abuse. The center serves all ages and genders of adult victims of sexual assault, child victims of sexual abuse, adults who were sexually abused as children, and supportive family members and friends.
Volunteers supplement work done by the four-person center staff.
The training gives new volunteers tools to help answer the crisis line as well as training needed to be comfortable meeting clients at the hospital or law enforcement complex and providing information concerning medical procedures, investigation and the court system. During 1996, the center had 622 contacts with victims of sexual trauma. More than 500 phone calls were received on the crisis line and center staff and volunteers provided more than 14,000 direct service hours in assistance. Volunteers are needed from all counties in the service region. The 11 counties included are Covington, Forrest, Greene, Jasper, Jefferson Davis, Jones, Lamar, Marion, Perry, Smith and Wayne.