Hotline Counselor Advocate VolunteerAt — Peace Over Violence

The Hotline Counselor Advocate Volunteer provides trauma-informed, survivor-centered support to individuals contacting the Peace Over Violence hotline. Volunteers offer crisis intervention, emotional support, safety planning, and resource/referral information to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of interpersonal violence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Respond to hotline calls with empathy, active listening, and nonjudgmental support
• Provide crisis intervention and immediate emotional stabilization
• Assist with safety planning and assess urgent needs
• Share accurate information and referrals to community resources
• Document calls according to agency protocols
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold survivor autonomy at all times

Qualifications:

• Strong communication and active listening skills
• Ability to remain calm and supportive in crisis situations
• Commitment to trauma-informed, survivor-centered advocacy
• Completion of required POV training and ongoing supervision

Tasks:

Hotline Advocacy: Respond to crisis hotline calls by providing trauma-informed, survivor-centered emotional support, crisis intervention, safety planning, and resource/referral information.
SART Accompaniments: Provide in-person advocacy and emotional support to survivors during Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) hospital examinations, while coordinating with medical staff and supporting survivor autonomy.
Documentation & Paperwork: Complete accurate, objective, and confidential documentation of hotline calls and accompaniment services in accordance with agency protocols and reporting requirements.

Training:

The 82-Hour Counselor Advocate Training is a comprehensive, state-certified training program that prepares volunteers to provide crisis intervention, advocacy, and support services to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of interpersonal violence. The training covers topics including trauma-informed care, active listening, crisis intervention, safety planning, the dynamics of abuse, cultural responsiveness, confidentiality, mandated reporting, and community resources. Participants develop the knowledge and practical skills necessary to provide survivor-centered support through hotline services, accompaniments, and advocacy while upholding empowerment-based and trauma-informed practices.

Learning Outcome:

Demonstrate trauma-informed communication skills when responding to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of interpersonal violence.
Apply active listening techniques to provide empathetic, nonjudgmental support that validates survivors' experiences and promotes emotional safety.
Conduct basic crisis intervention by assessing immediate concerns, de-escalating emotional distress, and helping callers identify next steps.
Develop survivor-centered safety plans that respect individual circumstances, autonomy, and decision-making.
Identify and provide appropriate referrals to community resources, legal services, counseling programs, shelters, and other support systems.
Recognize the dynamics and impacts of interpersonal violence, including barriers survivors may face when seeking help.
Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality in accordance with agency policies, ethical standards, and survivor advocacy principles.
Document hotline interactions accurately and objectively following Peace Over Violence protocols and reporting requirements.
Demonstrate cultural humility and responsiveness when supporting survivors from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
Utilize supervision, feedback, and self-reflection to strengthen advocacy skills and promote continuous professional growth.