Mary s Place Volunteer Handbook : simplebooklet.com

2 Mission Statement of the Rape Crisis Center The mission of the Mary’s Place is to provide support and information to victims of rape and child sexual abuse and their families and to provide community education and sexual assault prevention programs for all ages. Mary’s Place Philosophy 1. Our primary focus is on the survivors and their recovery process. 2. Confidentiality is critical for the safety of our clients and the trust they have in us as advocates. 3. Sexual assault is never the Survivor’s fault. The rapist is the one at fault for the crime. 4. Empowerment through giving support and information will help strengthen the victim, so they can follow through with the criminal justice process, function at work or readjust to everyday life. We cannot make everything okay, but we can focus on their power as the only witness to the crime and as a person who can regain their sense of self. 5. Every survivor of sexual assault has the right and the choice of reporting and having a rape examination, regardless of the circumstances of their case. They also have a right to be heard and heal at their own pace. 6. Every survivor is in a state of crisis and is experiencing trauma at some level. That is normal and contributes to confusion, indecision and fear. They may be greatly affected by the damage to their self-esteem, which can have a profound influence on interactions with the police, media and court personnel. 7. The survivor needs the police, and the police need the victim to prosecute. However, the relationship is not equal. The police represent authority, and the victim often feels powerless and easily intimidated. As advocates, we can be the buffer between the victim and the police, helping them to understand their role in the process. 8. A survivor’s greatest fear is that they will not be believed. Considering how difficult it is to report a rape, the likelihood of anyone reporting falsely is

Page 3

3 very unusual. As advocates, we believe the survivor from the beginning, knowing that if there is any falsehood, it will eventually surface. In the case of false reports, the survivor also has other problems that should be addressed and referrals made to other agencies. Definition of Frequently Used Terms Survivor: The individual who was assaulted. This word is used throughout and by many rape crisis centers to describe the strengths of those who have been sexually assaulted. Victim: The individual who was assaulted. This word is used in the criminal justice system. Sexual Assault or Rape: In this handbook, these words are used interchangeably. Sexual assault includes attacks such as rape or attempted rape, as well as any unwanted sexual contact or threats. Usually, a sexual assault occurs when someone touches any part of another person’s body in a sexual way, even through clothes, without that person’s consent. Some types of sexual acts that fall under the category of sexual assault include forced sexual intercourse (rape), sodomy (oral or anal sexual acts), child molestation, incest, fondling and attempted rape. Assailants can be strangers, but are more likely acquaintances, friends, or family members. Assailants commit sexual assault by way of violence, threats, coercion, manipulation, pressure or tricks. Rapist, Perpetrator, or Assailant: The person who commits the assault. In this handbook, the words perpetrator and assailant are used interchangeably. Defendant: The alleged “perpetrator” is referred to as the “defendant” in the criminal justice system. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE): A sexual assault nurse examiner is a registered nurse who specializes in forensic training in treating sexual assault victims. They are usually available through a hospital and on call 24-hours a day to help victims of sexual assault. They not only examine a victim as a health professional, but they approach their work with special sensitivity and

Page 4

4 knowledge about sex crimes, and they also assess, document, and preserve evidence for the legal aspects of their cases. About Rape Trauma Syndrome Rape Trauma Syndrome (RTS) is a form of psychological trauma experienced by a rape victim that consists of disruptions to the normal physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and interpersonal characteristics. The theory was first described by psychiatrist Ann Wolbert Burgess and sociologist Lynda Lytle Holstrom in 1974. Impact Stage The impact stage is the initial stage most survivors experience. The survivor may appear dazed, in a state of un-reality and struggling to comprehend the rape. There is a wide range of symptoms that rape survivors express during this time, from calm and controlling to hysterical and crying. Often the survivor will make comments like, “I can’t believe this happened to me” or some other shock-type of statement which disclaims the actuality of the traumatic event. The victim is realizing that their life has been disrupted. Important Note The most common reactions of this stage are: shock, denial and rationalization. Acute Stage The acute stage occurs in the days or weeks after a rape. Durations vary as to the amount of time a survivor may remain in the acute stage. The immediate symptoms may last a few days to a few weeks and may overlap with the outward adjustment stage and there is not a “typical” response to the assault. They may experience: • Physical: Fatigue, soreness, pain, weakness, etc., • Emotional: Primary symptoms include fear of death, injury, mutilation, etc., • Thoughts-Cognitive: Survivors will often try to suppress thoughts of the attack. When this occurs, he survivor suffers from flashbacks and nightmares. Most victims will go through a rationalization process through the duration of the syndrome and ask “What if” and “Why did this happen to me?,” or, “If I had only…”.

Page 5

5 Important Note Behaviors present in this acute stage can include : Diminished alertness, numbness, dulled sensory, affective and memory functions, disorganized thought content, vomiting, nausea, paralyzing anxiety, pronounced internal tremors, obsession to wash or clean themselves, hysteria, confusion and crying, bewilderment and acute sensitivity to the reaction of other people. The Outward Adjustment Stage Survivors in this stage seem to have resumed their normal lifestyle. However, they simultaneously suffer profound internal turmoil which may manifest in a variety of ways as the survivor copes with the long-term trauma of a rape. The outward adjustment stage may last from several months to many years after a rape. RAINN identifies the five main coping strategies during the outward adjustment phase: • Minimization: pretending everything is fine. • Dramatization: cannot stop talking about the assault. • Suppression: refuses to discuss the rape. • Explanation: analysis of what happened. • Flight: moves to a new home or city, alters appearance The Underground Stage • Survivors attempt to return to their lives as if nothing happened. • They may block thoughts of the assault from their minds and may not want to talk about the incident or any of the related issues (they don’t want to think about it). • Survivors may have difficulty concentrating or suffer from depression. • Survivors try to return to their life before the assault. • The underground stage may last for years, and the victim may seem as though they are “over it”, even though emotional issues are not resolved. The Re-organization Stage • Survivors may return to emotional turmoil • It can be extremely frightening for people in this stage to once again find themselves suffering from the same emotional pain as in earlier stages. • They may develop fears or phobias. These may be related specifically to the assailant or the circumstances or surroundings in the attack or it may be more generalized. • They may experience appetite disturbances such as nausea and vomiting. Rape survivors are also prone to developing anorexia or bulimia. • Nightmares or night terrors may plague the victim. • Violent fantasies of revenge may also arise.

Page 6

6 The Re-normalization Stage In this stage, the survivor begins to recognize their adjustment phase. Particularly important is recognizing the impact of the rape for survivors who were in denial and recognizing the secondary damage of any counterproductive coping tactics (e.g., recognizing that one’s drug abuse began to help cope with the aftermath of a rape). During re-normalization, the survivor integrates the sexual assault into their life so that rape is no longer the central focus of their life. During this stage, negative feelings such as shame and guilt become resolved, and the survivor no longer blames themselves for the attack. Effects of Rape Trauma (may vary from survivor to survivor): or Physical trauma/Injuries o Disturbed sleep or Acute stress (often from the threat of being hurt or killed). or Mistrust (even of those unrelated to the attack) or Fear of losing control o Rage reactions (internal and external) or Guilt o Shame o Self-doubt o Relationship problems (friendship, family and intimacy issues) or Focus on the past or Diminished quality of life or Depression and/or anxiety o Extreme life changes (divorce, move, change in appearance) or Lasting fear of similar people (crowds, situations, locations) or Repetitive/intrusive thoughts or Substance abuse o Tendency to become self-destructive

Page 7

Page 8

8 Introduction to Crisis Line Intervention Mary’s Place has established a partnership with St. Joseph’s Candler Health System, and Memorial Health Hospital. The Chatham County Protocol, developed and signed in 2004, sets forth the process for the police, Mary’s Place Advocates, and SANEs to follow. The goal of crisis line intervention is to apply a “band aid approach” of resolution to a potentially explosive situation until the person can receive assistance from the proper person. You will not attempt to counsel callers or direct them to facilitate major personality or behavior changes. The following outline is to be used as a guide for general crisis calls. It is meant to provide organization in your approach to callers in crisis; however not all points listed may apply to all callers in crisis. For example, a caller may have been kissed by a co-worker and another victim may have been raped but both are deemed victims. Each situation is different and needs to be dealt with as such. The most important thing to remember is YOU ARE NOT A COUNSELOR, nor are you expected to perform as one. The function of the crisis line is to provide information, referrals and peer support. Crisis line volunteers with counseling skills must remain within the role of volunteer, not a therapist or counselor. Responsibilities of Crisis Line Volunteer • Call Corporate Message Service (CMS) at the beginning of your shift (912) 233-7273 or (888) 241-7273. You can call the service up to 4 hours before your shift. • Abandonment of a shift is an abandonment of victims. If you cannot work your scheduled shift, you must contact the volunteer coordinator at (912) 233.3000 or volunteer@marysplacega.org as soon as possible, so a replacement can be found. • Complete a Crisis Call Form on every crisis line call, regardless of the time spent with the victim. If you are “on call” and have contact with any Survivor, you must complete a Crisis Call Form. E-mail the Crisis Call Form to ssacoord@marysplacega.org, fax at (912) 232-8455, drop off the Crisis Call Form within 2 days. • Keep your handbook and all necessary forms nearby for quick reference during victim contact.

Page 9

9 • Do not provide survivors with personal information such as your home, work, or cell phone number. Your last name should never be given to a crisis line to caller. • If questions arise that you cannot answer, ask the caller to call during normal business hours or if the caller needs immediate assistance, ask them to call the crisis line back in a certain time frame. This will allow you to call a staff member to obtain the answer and wait for the victim to call back. • If you receive information regarding the mistreatment of survivors, obtain the details and names of all the people involved and notify the volunteer coordinator. Do not confront any people involved. • Always obtain the names of police officers, detectives, nurses and/or doctors involved in cases. Crisis Intervention Guidelines The person who calls to receive assistance may be at one of the many stages in dealing with the incident precipitating the call. The person could have seen their or be in the presence of their perpetrator (emergency) to request information for someone else (non-emergency situation). Your job is to make sure that the caller is not currently in danger, or in need of emergency medical treatment. If the person is in an emergency, you must use your listening skills to identify where the person is emotionally and their specific needs. In an emergency, you must become active and direct. It is possible you will need to seek further help from supervisors or call the police. In nonemergency situations, let the caller direct the conversation and your responsibility will be to stay with the caller. Establish Rapport with the Caller • Identify the caller’s feelings and accept his/her right to feel that way. • Empathize (not sympathize) with the caller. Don’t dwell on how they feel. • A person in crisis may be unsure how he/she feels. • Dwelling on the subject may frustrate and confuse him/her. Explore the Issue(s) the Caller is Experiencing • Focus on the last six weeks and attempt to identify crisis events that led them to the call.

Page 10

10 • Assist the caller in being specific in his/her description by asking him/her to explain things that seem vague or unclear. • Be able to agree on the definition of the problem and its main parts. Take as much time as you need so you and the caller can develop a clear picture of what is happening before you refer him/her to the proper person. • Remember you may be the first person he/she has talked to about this issue. • Point out to the caller that he/she does have strengths (after all they have been coping with the problem up until this point), even if it has been in a dysfunctional way. Focus on the Most Immediate Need(s) of the Caller • Which part of the problem is causing the most pain? • Is this problem susceptible to immediate action? • What could contribute to positive results? Make Referrals to the Appropriate Source • Ask him/her to tell you specifically what he/she has done so far to deal with the problem. • Has he/she ever been in this situation before? If so, how did he/she handle it? • Has he/she talked to anyone other than you about this problem? • What would life be like if the problem were resolved? • Attempt to have him/her express what he/she wishes would happen. • Explore the alternatives and brainstorm as many as possible. • Discuss the pros and cons of the brainstormed alternatives. • If professional help is needed, find out what the caller’s financial constraints are. • Offer suggestions in terms of resources available. Make a Contract + Agree Upon Plan of Action • Assist the caller in formulating a plan of action (i.e., calling a therapist, seeking information at an appropriate agency, talking to another person involved in the situation, etc.). • Assist him/her in establishing a time frame for completing this plan. • Obtain a commitment from him/her to follow through on the plan. • Discuss contingency plans. What back up plan could be used? Express Your Interest in Knowing What Happens • Ask him/her to call back and let you know how things are going. • Explain to her that you may not be working at the time, but he/she can have the person working the line pass the message along.

Page 11

11 Important Note No matter what happens, the caller makes the final decision on what will happen. Your role is to attempt to stabilize him/her and provide her with support and information that will facilitate a resolution of the problem. What Happens When On Call When your Phone Rings • The CMS operator will say: “Mr./Ms. Volunteer, this is the answering service, I have a caller on the line.” • You should reply, “Thank you, put him/her through.” • At that point you will hear the operator tell the caller that he/she is putting their call through to an advocate: You are the advocate. • You may say, “Hello, my name is X, how may I help you?” • Only use first names with the caller, do not tell them your on-call schedule. • Never give personal information to the caller (full name, contact information, etc...). Determine the Caller’s Safety Level • It is extremely important to assess the caller’s safety level. • Ask a few questions to determine if the caller is in immediate danger. If so, offer to call the police and attempt to obtain her location and contact number. If he/she does not cooperate, continue conversing with the caller. o Listen carefully so you can gain enough information to give to the police. • Make Listening your top priority with all callers. • Most callers want someone to talk to who will listen. Identify the Problem • To be effective, you must assess the problem that he/she is facing. • It is ok to ask direct questions. • Rather than spending time and energy trying to think up the correct responses to the caller, listen, and let the conversation flow. • Sometimes, the caller just wants to talk. However, you will receive calls when they have a specific problem. Plan of Action + Wrap Up • At the end of every call, discuss a plan of action with the caller. • It could be as simple as trying to fall asleep after hanging up the phone. • Perhaps he/she will make a counseling appointment for the next day. • Make sure you tell the caller they can call back at any time. • Reassess the caller’s safety before hanging up.

Page 12

12 Crisis Call Forms • Fill out the Crisis Call Form for every call you receive and email it to Mary’s Place Advocacy Coordinator at as soon as possible at ssacoord@marysplacega.org Tips to Help You Be More Effective The following are tips to help you be more effective in assisting people in distress. Confidentiality In any program where personal feelings and information are exchanged, confidentiality is extremely important. The caller trusts you with personal information. The person does not expect to hear him/her story discussed by anyone he/she has not discussed it with. When there is a need to discuss a case with someone to help the person, call the volunteer coordinator or the executive director. It is important that cases are never discussed with people not affiliated with Mary’s Place. The cases should not be discussed at social functions or in a public place, even with an appropriate person. Neutrality Always remember, it is the caller who must make the decisions. Don’t try to persuade the caller to do what you suggest. Give relevant information so decisions can be made based on fact. Again, don’t try to make the decisions for the caller. Intense Feelings As a volunteer, you will need to learn how to deal with intense feelings that may be expressed by the caller. The caller may have been through a terrifying or very difficult experience, and you may be the first person the caller has talked to about the intensity of his/her feelings. Stay with the caller but allow her to determine what he/she is ready to reveal or talk about with you. Silences Don’t be afraid of silence. This may be needed for the caller to think about what is going on. If you think the caller is silent because he/she is having a hard time talking, you can comment. For example, “It was a terrible experience for you and it seems like you are having a hard time talking about it.”

Page 13

13 Don’t Give Advice If you hear yourself saying the word, “should” immediately and regroup your thoughts. The caller is not soliciting your advice but guidance, she needs to find his/her own solutions through the help you can offer her by listening and through referrals to further aid her. Avoid “Why” Questions “Why” questions may make the caller defensive. The caller will try to justify what he/she did or what he/she plans to do rather than really examining the situation. If you think it is important to examine a particular issue more closely, try phrases like, “Could you explain what you mean by that? I don’t quite understand.” Focus on the Issue This is staying with the caller and letting them direct the conversation. Help the Person be Clear + Concise about Feelings In your empathetic responses, try to help the person become clearer or concise about vague feelings. Remember, if your response is wrong, the caller will tell you. Be careful that you listen to the caller when he/she tells you that you are wrong. If you say, “it sounds like you are angry”, and the caller says, “No, I’m frustrated” don’t try to convince them otherwise. Let the caller direct the conversation. Assess the Resources of the Caller Try to help the person assess the resources that are available. Will family and friends be supportive? Does the caller have a counselor or therapist? Remember, asking for help and support and being dependent is not the same thing. Encourage the caller to utilize available resources. Summarizing After you have talked for a while, it may be very helpful to summarize what you have discussed. This helps the person organize their thoughts and feelings and may help him/her address other issues. Other Tips • Express your concern. • Support the person’s strengths. • If you need to ask a question, ask an open-ended question, not one that can be answered with yes or on. • Be aware of what the person might be avoiding. You can comment by saying, “It seems really hard for you to talk about___________.”

Page 14

14 • Be aware of what you may be avoiding. If it is hard for you to talk about anger, it will probably be hard for the caller to talk about it with you. • Give relevant and helpful information to help the caller make a plan of action before you hang up. Important Note Rather than spending time trying to think of the correct responses, just let the conversation flow. There are no concrete and firm rules to assist or guide victims. Guiding victims is not logical in the sense that if the caller gives comment “A”, you give comment “C”. Your listening skills, concerns, and interest in the individual and the situation, as well as your own use of good sense and available resources, are what you will need to be a successful volunteer. A crisis is characterized as an event of sudden onset and great intensity that is a threat to one’s person or self-esteem. The person’s reaction, not the objective situation, determines whether a situation is a crisis. • Reinforce the courage it took to make the call. • You may personalize this by saying: “I’m glad you called, let’s see how we can help.” • Use effective responses. You must respond to the feeling expressed. • Remain personally unaffected by the intensity of the crisis so that you do not become too upset or overwhelmed to handle the call. Provide a calm, caring ear and pay attention so you can provide some stability and objectivity. • Provide no false securities but do suggest that you understand the person is upset (not that you understand her exact feelings). Avoid monetary. • Reinforce positive coping statements for the person, particularly statements suggesting strength and turning to others for help. Avoiding isolation is generally useful for people in crisis. • Explore the ways that the person relaxes and suggest relaxation techniques. Taking care of oneself physically (for example, eating and sleeping well) is as important as caring for oneself mentally. Reiterate that the situation is stressful and the person is not at their best. • Plan change in a crisis with caution. Generally, people may be too upset to be thoughtful about the future.

Page 15

Page 16

16 Introduction to Hospital Response Intervention Mary’s Place has established a partnership with St. Joseph’s Candler Health System, Memorial Health Hospital. The Chatham County Protocol, developed and signed in 2004, sets forth the process for the police, Mary’s Place advocates and SANEs to follow. Manager of Duty will contact “on call” Volunteer/Advocate and inform her/him of a case. Manager On Duty will provide the following information Name of Survivor Age of Survivor Date of Incident Detective Assigned to the case SANE Nurse conduction the same Time of SANE exam Location of SANE CRN if available Job Description of Hospital Response Volunteer The role of the hospital volunteer advocate who responds to hospital crisis: • To provide emotional support and basic information to the survivor. • To assure the survivor understands the process and the questions being asked. • To support the survivor during the investigative interview, but not to interfere with the detective’s interviewing process. • To be present during the SANE examination to support and calm the victim and the SANE when requested. • To be present during a law enforcement interview • To assure the survivor has clothes to wear home if her clothes were taken by the Detective. • To assure the survivor has transportation home from the hospital. • To assure the survivor is aware of Marys’ Place services, give him/her a Survivor Bags, which includes copy of the “coping book”, and additional information and resources in the community. • Text the Manage on Duty when the case begins and ends • To provide information to the Mary’s Place Advocacy Dept Coordinator so follow-up services can be provided. Important Note Advocates are never to transport Survivors in their own vehicles.

Page 17

Page 18

Page 19

19 Sexual Assault Laws Georgia's sexual assault law is different than many others throughout the nation. Under the statute, it is a crime for someone with supervisory or disciplinary authority over another to have sexual contact with them, including those who are in a student-teacher relationship. This includes anyone with supervisory or disciplinary authority over someone in legal custody or someone who is detained in a hospital or other institution, including long-term care, nursing homes, home health care and hospices. It also pertains to psychotherapists and their patients. Consent is not a defense. Unlike Georgia's rape law, sexual assault can occur between any gender. Also, keep in mind that the law prohibits any unconsented to sexual activity, with or without force. Definitions Sexual Battery Sexual battery occurs when a person intentionally makes physical contact with the intimate parts of another person's body without their consent. The Code defines “intimate parts” as the “primary genital area, anus, groin, inner thighs, or buttocks of a male or female and the breasts of a female.” Here, there isn't an age or gender requirement. Consent can be a defense. Aggravated Sexual Battery Aggravated sexual battery happens when a person “intentionally penetrates with a foreign object the sexual organ or anus of another person without their consent.” The Code defines “foreign object” as “any article or instrument other than the sexual organ of a person.” Again, there isn't an age or gender requirement. Consent can be a defense. Romeo and Juliet Laws for Sexual Battery Yes, even star-crossed young lovers can be prosecuted under Georgia's sexual battery laws. Commonly known as "Romeo and Juliet" laws, if the victim is between 14-16 years old and the defendant is 18 years years old or no more than four years older than the victim, he or she will only face misdemeanor charges.

Page 20

20 LIST OF SEX CRIMES CHARGES 16-6-1: RAPE • Felony offense • Gender specific; only male penetrating female. • Must have used force and be against her will • Possible punishments: Death, life in prison or 10-20 years 16-6-2: AGRRAVATED SODOMY • Felony offense • Not gender specific • Must have used force and be against his/her will • Possible punishment: Life in prison or 10-20 years 16-6-3: STATUTORY RAPE • Usually a felony offense • Victim must be under 16, defendant over 16 (not married) • Charge must be corroborated by someone other than the victim. • Do not have to prove force or against will • Punishment is 1 – 20 years • Misdemeanor if victim is 14 or 15 and defendant is three or less years older. 16-6-4: CHILD MOLESTATION • Felony offense • Act done to or in the presence of child with intent to arouse child or defendant • First offense punishment: 5-20 years or probation and counseling. • Second offense: 10-20 years • Aggravated Child Molestation: above including injury and/or sodomy o Punishment: 10-30 years. 16-6-2: ENTICING A CHILD FOR INDECENT PURPOSES

Page 21

21 • Soliciting, enticing or taking of a child under 16 for the purpose of child molestation or indecent acts. • First offense: 1-20 year or probation and counseling • Second offense: 5-20 years 16-6.5.1: SEXUAL ASSAULT • Felony offense • Sexual contact with a victim who is in custodial care by defendant who is in supervisory or disciplinary position. • Punishment: 1-3 years 16-6-8: PUBLIC INDECENCY • First offense misdemeanor 16-6-22: INCEST • Felony offense • Sexual intercourse with person he/she is related to by blood or marriage • Father + daughter/step-daughter, mother and son/step-son; brother and sister (or half); grandparent and grandchild; aunt and nephew; uncle and niece. • Punishment: 1-20 years 16-6-22.1: SEXUAL BATTERY • High and aggravated misdemeanor • Not gender specific • Lesser degree of rape; penetration need not occur • No consent 16-6-23: PUBLICATION OF NAME OR IDENTITY OF FEMALE RAPED/ASSAULTED • News media (or anyone else) may not print and publish or broadcast the name or identity of any female who may have been raped or are the victim of an attempted rape. 24-2-3: RAPE SHIELD LAW

Page 22

22 • Evidence of the victim’s prior sexual behavior or sexual predisposition is not admissible in court. • Two exceptions: evidence of a specific sexual incidence during the same time frame as assault to prove that another person was source of semen; and prior sexual behavior with/towards the defendant may be admitted. • Misdemeanor for first offense; second or more times, felony • Person follows another person without consent for the purpose of harassing and intimidating the other person. • Causes emotional distress to victim and the person fear for his/her safety. • Pattern of such behavior should be established • No overt threat of death or bodily injury to victim needs to have been made. • Aggravated Stalking: same as above, but in violation of a peace bond or any restraining/protective orders (or if in violation of a condition of parole). Violation is a felony offense. For more information visit http://www.gnesa.org/news/GA_laws.html 16-5-90: STALKING

Page 23

23 About the Victims A Few Things you Should Know: • Every two minutes someone in the USA is sexually assaulted. • Victims tend to wait a considerable amount of time before reporting the assault. o In general, the closer the relationship between the assailant and the victim, the longer the victim delays in disclosing the incident to anyone. • Research on sexual violence reveals that 90% of rapes are never reported. • Victims fear they will not be believed or that others will perceive the crime as the fault of the victim. • The primary harm of sexual assault lies not in the physical contact, but in the insult to autonomy, self-determination and bodily integrity. • When the offender is known to the victim, debilitating harm can also come from the betrayal of trust and lack of respect. • Study after study has concluded that crimes disproportionally affecting women are often treated less seriously than crimes affecting men. How Often Does Sexual Assault Occur? • In 2007, there were 283,300 victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault o These figures do not include victims 12 years or younger. • According to this figure, the average number of assaults comes out to 1 sexual assault every 127 seconds. Reporting Rape • Sexual assault is one of the most under reported crimes. • 60% of sexual assaults are still being left unreported. • This statistic means that these offenders never spend a day in prison. • Only about 6% of rapists ever spend a day in jail. o If a rape is reported, there is a 50/50 chance for an arrest. o If there is an arrest, there is an 80% chance of prosecution. o If there is a prosecution, there is a 58% change of conviction. o If there is a felony conviction, there is a 69% change the convict will spend time in jail. o So even in the 39% of attacks reported to the police, there is only a 16% chance the rapist will end up in prison. o 15 out of 16 rapists walk free.

Page 24

24 Important Note Sexual assault has fallen by more than 60% in recent years. Had the 1993 rate held steady, 6.8 million Americans would have been assaulted in the last 13 years. The actual number of victims is about 4.2 million. The fight against sexual assault has made gains, but there is more to do to ensure we save millions more from experiencing this trauma. Effects of Rape Victims of sexual assault are: • 3 times more likely to suffer from depression. • 6 times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. • 13 times more likely to abuse alcohol. • 26 times more likely to abuse drugs. • 4 times more likely to contemplate suicide. Pregnancies Resulting from Rape • The national rape-related pregnancy rate is 5.0% per rape among victims of reproductive age (ages 12 to 45). • Among adult women an estimated 32,101 pregnancies result from rape each year. • Among 34 cases of rape-related pregnancy, the majority occurred among adolescents and resulted from assault by a known, often related perpetrator. • Only 11.7% of these victims received immediate medical attention after the assault, and 47.1% received no medical attention related to the rape. • A total of 32.4% of these victims did not discover they were pregnant until they had already entered the second trimester. • 32.2% opted to keep the infant whereas 50% underwent abortion and 5.9% placed the infant for adoption; an additional 11.8% had spontaneous abortion. About the Offenders • The rapist is not a masked stranger. • Approximately 2/3 of rapes were committed by someone Known to the victim. • 73% of sexual assaults were perpetrated by a Non-Stranger. • 38% of rapists are a Friend or Acquaintance. • 28% are intimate partners of the victim. • 7% are relatives of the victim. Rapists are not Hiding in the Bushes.

Page 25

25 • More than 50% of all rape and sexual assault incidents were reported by victims to have occurred with 1 mile of their home or in their home. • 4 in 10 take place in the victim’s home. • 2 in 10 take place at the home of a friend, neighbor or relative. • 1 in 12 takes place in a parking garage. • 43% of rapes occur between 6:00 PM and midnight. o 24% occur between midnight and 6:00 AM. o The other 33% take place between 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM. The Criminal • The average age of a rapist is 31 years old. • 52% of rapists are white. • 22% of imprisoned rapists report they are married. • Juveniles accounted for 16% of forcible rape arrestees in 1995 and 17% of those arrested for other sexual offences. • In 1 in 3 assaults, the perpetrator was intoxicated. • 3% used a gun. • 6% used a knife. • 2% used another form of weapon. • 84% of victims reported the use of physical force only. • Rapist are more likely to be a serial criminal than a serial rapist. • 46% of rapists who were released from prison were re-arrested within 3 years of their release for another crime. o 19% for a violent offense. o 15% for a property offense. o 11% for a drug offense. o 20% for a public disorder offense.

Page 26

Page 27

27 Mary’s Place is committed to providing advocacy and counseling services to seven (7) counties throughout the Coastal Empire, which includes Chatham, Bryan, Evans, Effingham, Liberty, Long, and Tatnall. Being out in the community is extremely important to our core mission. Outreach Volunteers will help connect Mary’s Place with the community, supporting our mission statement by assisting with events, distributing information, and engaging with individuals. Outreach Volunteers play a vital role in building relationships and raise awareness about the services that Mary’s Place offers. Outreach Volunteers • Supporting Community Events Set up an informational table at community events Distribute marketing materials about Mary’s Place services Interact with members of the community to provide information, answer questions and build relationships. • Outreach Volunteer will always be accompanied by Mary’s Place staff. • Please let the Advocacy Dept Coordinator know if you wish to be notified of community events and your availability to volunteer. Most community events are mostly on weekends, usually last about 2-3 hours

Page 28

Page 29

29 Mary’s Place is committed to providing prevention education in the community. Prevention Educators will provide age/grade appropriate information about healthy relationships, boundaries, online safety, and bullying. The role of the Prevention Educator includes: • Implement engaging multi-day personal safety educational curricula in K - 12th grade classrooms. • Present awareness programs in designated communities. • Conduct outreach activities in the community. • Provide in-the-moment emotional support to survivors who disclose that they are survivors of sexual violence and facilitate a warm hand-off to an advocate and/or additional resources as needed. • Travel to multiple sites to provide services to students, teachers, and community members and partners. • Perform special projects and other duties as assigned. If interested in prevention education please contact Prevention Education Coordinator at prevention@marysplacega.org

Page 30

Page 31

31 Skills for Understanding Leading Leading is an important part of the communication process, the following skills are extremely important in building the relationship in its earliest stages. Questioning • Indirect leading, direct leading and focusing are often expressed in the form of a question. The most effective type of question, in terms of continuing the communication process, is an open-ended question. Questions should be used sparingly and should elicit clarification rather than information. It is best to avoid “WHY” questions. Indirect Leading • This helps the victim to begin talking and to be the one who focuses on the direction of the conversation. It includes such phrases as o “Why are you here?” o “Please tell me more about that.” o “How did that make you feel?” o “What do you think that means?” • Indirect leading sends the message to the victim that the counseling relationship is her responsibility (the victim sets the course). Direct Leading • This is a more focused encouragement to the victim to elaborate, clarify or illustrate. The goal is to bring the victim to a greater awareness and understanding of her feelings and concerns/issues. An example is “What do you mean when you say you felt frustrated?” Focusing • Focusing is helpful if the victim is rambling or wandering over several topics at once. This may happen after an indirect lead by the volunteer. The volunteer’s statement emphasizes a single feeling or idea from those presented. Selecting one word can do this or phrase and repeat it back in the form of a question. Summarizing is simply putting together the victim’s concerns, feelings and plans at the conclusion of contact. It enables the victim to feel a sense of

Page 32

32 accomplishment and closure and be aware that he/she is understood. Summarizing is a final check of the victim’s messages to the helper. If appropriate, it is an excellent idea to have the victim summarize. Some examples are “Let’s see what we’ve talked about” or “How do things look to you now?” Being a Good Listener This is not a passive activity. It is a very active process involving not only hearing the victim’s words or watching his/her body language, but a total involvement with the victim. It is insightful, intuitive, instinctual listening. It doesn’t mean “What is the person saying?” it means understanding “What is going on here right now with this person?” Active listening skills are basic to helping. There are separate skills in this process you should utilize to be a good listener and helpful to the victim. Attending The primary element of attending is eye contact. This does not mean staring at the victim, but looking naturally into their eyes, in a manner that displays a warm and genuine interest in the person. It is saying, “I hear you, I understand.” Eye contact allows you to pick up non-verbal clues from the victim. It is important to be mindful of the distance between you and the victim. Pay attention to the signs of discomfort from the victim, relative to physical space and eye contact. The degree of both is culturally learned and not identical for all people. The second element of attending is posture. A successful volunteer needs to appear relaxed and should lean towards the victim while listening. Related to posture are gestures (the non-verbal message the helper gives with hands, sitting position or facial expressions). The final element of attending is the verbal message that accompanies the non-verbal behavior. These verbal messages need to be reflective and confirming words which encourage the victim to continue to focus on her feelings and experiences. Paraphrasing Paraphrasing is repeating the victim’s message using similar but fewer words. It is a test to determine whether you fully understand the victim. Additionally, if the message repeated is correct, it makes the victim know he/she is being heard and understood. It assists the victim in clarifying his/her own thoughts and feelings and gives a sense of direction to continue communication. When paraphrasing, you do not add new words or ideas to the message. The volunteer should be thinking, “What does the s’ thoughts and feelings say to me?” Paraphrasing might feel awkward at first but can become a helpful tool with practice.

Page 33

33 Clarifying This is more than paraphrasing. It is used when a message from a victim is unclear or vague. The volunteer makes a guess and interprets or explains what he/she thinks the message is from the victim. The volunteer needs to know that if he/she is confused, it may not be the victim’s message that is confusing, but the volunteer’s listening that is in question. The volunteer should admit to uncertainty and restate what he/she thinks was said or asks for clarification. Perception Checking This process determines whether the volunteer’s paraphrasing is correct; it is asking for feedback. It is a way to correct misperceptions before they become a misunderstanding later in the communication process. Signs of Bad Listening Over time, most of us have developed a series of bad listening habits; we need to discover and unlearn them. If we are free of the following blocks, we are on our way to becoming effective volunteers in crisis situations. Here are the signs: Judging or Evaluating Everything Heard We speak before another person has the chance to get his/her message across. We also jump in, having already decided what is correct or incorrect. Because we have begun to formulate our response, we do not hear what is said. We have beliefs, convictions and assumptions that are so fixed, we assume everyone else holds the same perceptions as we do. Consequently, there is no need to listen… Jumping to Conclusions We jump to conclusions, fill in blank spaces, put words in another person’s mouth and embellish what is being said. Closed Mind We know the answer without any doubt, so listening isn’t necessary. We are right in our convictions, so listening isn’t necessary. Short Attention Span Our minds tend to wander after a short period. Most of us don’t give 100% of our attention to the speaker.

Page 34

34 Semantics The meaning of words and phrases varies from profession to profession, culture to culture and one educational level to another. We cannot assume words mean the same to everyone. Superiority We must learn to overcome the belief that we are superior to whoever is talking. We need to get rid of the idea that we know everything and have nothing to learn. We can all learn something from each person we meet. Fear We all fear change. If we really listen, we may hear something that will upset our thinking, ideas or convictions. Then we may have to change our thinking. We may have to admit that someone else is right. We do not listen because we are too afraid to listen. Confidentiality Agreement Confidentiality for each person who is served by Mary’s Place is critical to establish trust. Sexual violence is a betrayal of trust, and most victims never tell anyone. Mary’s Place is committed to the healing of each survivor we serve. Protecting their story is part of that healing story. In addition, to serve sexual assault survivors, it is imperative that they and their families know that we will protect their privacy by treating all the information regarding our victims and their lives as completely confidential. Unauthorized disclosure of victim’s information may cause embarrassment to an already victimized person and cause him or her to stop seeking the help they may need from any agency. In other cases, the breach of confidentiality may even endanger someone’s safety. It is also against the law to disclose certain information. Each person given access to information, records and operations at Mary’s Place must operate in strict confidentiality and agree never to release any information which is not specifically mandated by law. Mary’s Place deeply appreciates your commitment of time, energy and resources to help Mary’s Place fulfill our mission. As volunteers, you may have access to survivor’s information. You may learn of this information by reading records and forms, by way of crisis line or hospital response intervention, SANE/Detective interviews, and/or by overhearing other workers speaking about a survivor. No matter how you learn of information or what it is, you may not disclose it unless allowed by law. If anyone asks you about a survivor, direct them to a Mary’s Place staff member. Please know that the staff is always available to discuss a situation that is troubling, confusing,

Page 35

35 or especially interesting to you. Even though you may feel the need to discuss a victim’s case with a person who does not work for Mary’s Place, you may not do so. In certain circumstances, especially with your spouse/partner and/or loved ones this may be difficult. You would consider this Agreement carefully before deciding. I have read and understand this Agreement. I have had the opportunity to ask questions about this Agreement and seek counsel as I see fit. I agree to abide all the terms of this Agreement, prohibiting disclosure of any Mary’s Place information to anyone unless mandated by law. I will direct any questions about victims to staff members of Mary’s Place. I understand that if I breach this policy, I will be terminated from further activity with Mary’s Place immediately and there may be further consequences under law. ________________________________ _____________________________ Signature Date ___________________________________ Printed Name Mary’s Place Sexual Assault Center of the Coastal Empire Hotline: (912) 233-7273 24-Hour Response Business Office (912) 233-3000 Fax (912) 232-8455 Office Hours Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm Mailing Address PO Box 8492 Savannah, GA 31412

Mary s Place Volunteer Handbook

Page 1

Page 2