Sexual Assault Advocate InternAt — YWCA Greater Los Angeles
The student will provide hospital accompaniments to the Long Beach, Torrance, and San Pedro SART locations for sexual assault victims receiving a forensic exam. Provide crisis intervention counseling, emotional support and information, and referral to sexual assault victims and their significant others at the SART location and/or 24-hour hotline. Advocate on behalf of the sexual assault victim, when requested by the victim to do so, with the victim’s significant others, law enforcement, and forensic nurses. The student will also provide administrative support for our SART Program.
Tasks:
Their responsibilities will encompass a diverse range of critical tasks, including but not limited to responding to our 24/7 sexual assault crisis hotline, where they will offer immediate support and guidance to individuals in crisis.
The student will also assist with hospital accompaniment for Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs), providing support to survivors during medical examinations and interviews with law enforcement. Moreover, the student will be actively involved in outreach activities, which will include participating in law enforcement roll calls and community events aimed at raising awareness about sexual assault and domestic violence. This engagement is crucial for fostering collaborative relationships between the organization and local authorities, as well as enhancing community education.
In addition to these direct services, the student will provide administrative support to the Lead SART Advocate, helping with various tasks that may include data entry, resource management, advocacy support, and coordination of events. This work will be conducted both virtually and on-site at our empowerment center located in Compton, where they will contribute to creating a supportive environment for survivors. Through this multifaceted role, the student will gain invaluable experience while making a meaningful difference in the lives of those impacted by sexual violence.
Training:
The student has already completed our main comprehensive certification training program centered on sexual assault and domestic violence, equipping them with the essential skills and knowledge to serve effectively as an intern advocate. In addition, the student will complete a mandated reporter training for child abuse and elder abuse. The student will complete shadowing and few online training sessions for additional support. The student will receive an initial orientation, and we will review our policies and procedures. I will hold weekly meetings with the student to review progress and provide mentorship.
Learning Outcome:
By the end of the internship, the student will have developed a range of essential skills. These include empathetic communication, active listening, crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, confidentiality, empowerment, respect for cultural identities, navigating systems (such as law enforcement), organization, and practicing self-care. The student will be able to collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team and provide comprehensive support to survivors of sexual violence.
Risk Note: High Crime Area
Questions:
1. Details concerning security after hours at the site where interns will be working
2. History of criminal activity in the area that you are aware of
3. Details of parking facility security (is there a secure parking facility? Is it patrolled?)
4. Any other information concerning precautions that your organization takes to keep interns safe?
Answers:
1. After hours, we lock up the office, including locking the gate to the front door.
2. Recently, there were reports of stolen car batteries outside the Compton office.
3. We have gated parking and parking on the street near the office building.
4. We have emergency safety/panic buttons at each desk. Also, our building is secure. No one can enter the office because our doors are locked, and a team member must unlock them from the inside. Security person on the premises.