The Durham Rape Crisis Centre is a feminist organization that believes in the equality of all people regardless of race, class, sexual orientation or gender. We are committed to taking an active role in our community to end all forms of violence against women and children.

As a Rape Crisis Centre we work with and provide support services to recent as well as historical or childhood survivors of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and childhood sexual abuse and their families.  For more information please visit www.drcc.ca.

The Crisis and Support Line Volunteer will provide confidential phone support/crisis de-escalation to all survivors over the age of 16 or support persons who call the service looking for support or information.

Responsibilities:

• A minimum 24 hours per month (flexible scheduling) 
• The calls will be made from your personal phone (cell phone or home phone)
• 1 year commitment to the centre
• Provide grounding, check-ins, community resources, intake referrals to DRCC counselling, de-escalation techniques and other appropriate information.
• Connect with Volunteer Coordinator for support or debriefing
• Attend monthly volunteer meetings
• Complete a 6 session (18 hour) volunteer training

Benefits to you:

• Opportunity to build your skill base and resume in crisis intervention.
• Certificate of achievement after one year of service
• Support your community and make an active change to help end sexual violence
• Support survivors on their healing journey
• Flexible scheduling with shifts available 24/7
• Remote opportunity with no travel required

Crisis Line Training and Application Process:

The organization is currently accepting new applications for the crisis line volunteer position.

The 6-week training program for new volunteers consists of 3 hours each week.

The training will include guest speakers from Durham Regional Police Services and the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Care Centre at Lakeridge Health and will provide an opportunity to learn a great deal about supporting those who have experienced sexual violence as well as the services available in the community. The training will cover such topics the history and position of the Durham Rape Crisis Centre, the various aspect of sexual violence including sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, date rape, substance facilitated assault and domestic violence.  It will also discuss rape culture and anti-racism/anti-oppression (ARAO) frameworks. As well as, mental health such as self harm and suicide prevention.  Each week we will build once skill or technique that will be useful in supporting survivors such as active listening or establishing boundaries. There are also weekly opportunities to practice mock calls and to learn a grounding technique.

Please note that volunteers on the Crisis Line are asked to make minimum of 4, six hour shifts a month. At this time, we are unable to accept volunteers who are not able to meet this commitment.