Confidential Crisis Response Advocates
(Formerly Confidential Sexual Violence Advocates and Domestic Violence Response Team)
VPVA has a crisis intervention program to provide services to victims and survivors of domestic/dating and sexual violence within the Rutgers community 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Confidential Advocates provide the following assistance to survivors:
- support and understanding
- information regarding the various medical, legal and campus options available to the survivor
- medical accompaniment
- legal accompaniment
- other individualized assistance dependent on the survivor’s needs
Advocates provide services over the phone; by meeting the survivor at one of the various locations for medical care, including forensic evidence collection; and/ or the Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD).
For after hours and weekend support, volunteer advocates are utilized. If you are a member of the Rutgers Community (student, faculty, staff or recent alumni) currently living within an hour of the New Brunswick/Piscataway Campus, you can apply to become a Confidential Crisis Response Advocate (CCRA).
VPVA and RUPD are committed to a multi-racial, multi-ethnic team to serve the community in the best manner possible. To apply, applicants should have possess the following minimum standards:
- 18 years of age or older
- Access to a car
- No criminal history
- No prior history as a defendant in a violence related matter
- Ability to communicate well with others
- Good listener
- Sensitivity to victim’s feelings and concerns
- Desire to help others
- Available to participate in initial and ongoing training
- Have an active cell phone
Bilingual individuals and persons fluent in American Sign Language are encouraged to participate in order to assist those victims who have special language and cultural needs or issues.
Once your application is accepted you must successfully complete the 60+ hour training program
Volunteer Advocates are required to sign up for on- call coverage for evening and weekend hours.
Training is typically held once a year in October. It takes place during evening and weekend hours.
******Due to the current circumstances we have postponed our October training class. We are hoping to hold training in Spring 2021.******
If you are interested in participating in training, please read over the introductory letter and complete the application materials. ***Due to current circumstances, please email your application and release authorization to Lisa, smithlj@echo.rutgers.edu
If you have questions or need further information please contact:
Lisa Smith, 848-932-1181 or smithlj@echo.rutgers.edu
