GILROY
– Starting July 13, 2004, Community Solutions in Gilroy will
host another free, six-week state certified Sexual Assault and
Domestic Violence Volunteer Advocate Training.
GILROY – Starting July 13, 2004, Community Solutions in Gilroy will host another free, six-week state certified Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Volunteer Advocate Training.
The program aims to train volunteers to become Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Advocates. Their duties include: Assisting sexual assault survivors through crisis lines, victim advocacy, shelter work and providing education to schools and communities about abuse and assault. In addition, advocates won’t be called to testify in court, allowing them the confidentiality to work directly with survivors and victims.
“This training is an opportunity … to help us create a community where survivors feel safe coming forward and attackers are held accountable for their actions,” said Amy M. Molica, Program Specialist for the Rape Crisis and Domestic Violence Prevention and Intervention Programs at Community Solutions.
According to Community Solutions’ statistics, one out of three girls and one out of four boys will be assaulted before the age of eighteen, and one out of three women will be abused by an intimate partner at some point in their life. The goal of the training is to prevent these occurrences through education.
“No one person or agency can eliminate sexual violence or domestic violence on their own,” said Molica. “With the help of committed volunteers we can work together to educate others.”
The training begins July 13, 2004 and ends August 19, 2004. Classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 5:30 to 9:00 PM at the Gilroy Community Solutions Center at 6980 Chestnut Street.
Those interested in applying should call Amy M. Molica at (408) 846-4751. Applicants must be over 18 years old, and should not have received services from Community Solutions within the past two years.
