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Hotline and Crisis Chat volunteers provide confidential crisis intervention, emotional support, information, resources, and referrals to individuals who contact the 24-hour crisis line or use the online chat service, which is available daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
In-person crisis advocates may meet survivors at the Sexual Assault Healthcare Program or in MSU residence halls to offer support, accompaniment, information, referrals, and connection to follow-up care. Advocates may work alongside medical staff, social workers, and law enforcement when requested by the survivor.
Yes. We currently have two types of volunteer roles: Crisis Hotline/Chat volunteers and in person-Crisis Advocates. Volunteers decide whether they want to complete the additional day of training to become an in-person Crisis Advocate.
Volunteers receive training and support to help them provide trauma-informed, survivor-centered crisis intervention, advocacy, and outreach services. Training helps volunteers build practical skills they can use in both professional and personal settings.
Prior experience is not required for volunteer roles. Volunteers should be committed to learning, supporting survivors with care and respect, maintaining confidentiality, and participating fully in required training and supervision.
No. Volunteers can be students, staff, faculty, alumni, or community members.
Yes. Volunteers must be 18 or older.
Yes. Men and non-binary folks are encouraged to join SACI. Sexual violence and relationship violence are pervasive social issues that affect everyone in the community, not only women. To respond adequately, we need everyone to work together.
Yes. Many volunteers in this field are survivors, and some people choose to volunteer as a meaningful way to give back and support others after their own healing process. Each training group often includes people who identify as survivors. Those who have been recently assaulted may find the training program re-traumatizing and are encouraged to apply later in their recovery process.
If you have received services from our program, we ask that at least one year has passed before applying to volunteer. Any questions or concerns should be discussed with the Volunteer Coordinator before training begins.
Because volunteers provide crisis support and community education on sensitive issues, training is designed to build the knowledge, skills, and reliability needed for this work. Training covers:
Training uses lecture, discussion, readings, exercises, videos, and role plays. Because the material can be difficult, facilitators work to create a supportive and respectful learning environment.
MSU Center for Survivors