Sexual Assault Support Services: SASS

Sexual Assault Support Services is a non-profit agency dedicated to supporting survivors in their effort to heal from the trauma of sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse, and stalking, while striving to prevent the occurrence of sexual violence in local communities and in society at large. Sexual Assault Support Services' recognition as a comprehensive anti-sexual violence program is due largely to our skilled volunteers. Volunteers are involved in many capacities within the agency and are provided with a thorough training to prepare them for their chosen responsibilities.

As a volunteer advocate for SASS you will provide a confidential source of support and information to those affected by sexual violence through our 24-hour hotline. By listening to the callers needs you will learn how to appropriately support them in a time of crisis and connect them with the resources that best meet their needs. You will also be trained to help identify and examine the options that a survivor has at each of the different stages of healing.

In addition to hotline coverage, you can elect to accompany survivors to the hospital directly after an assault has occurred. If you wish to become a crisis intervention advocate, you are required to take a 36-hour training course to help you prepare for in-person crisis counseling, support and advocacy. You are not required to have any previous training in crisis work, only a strong desire to help those in need of SASS services and a positive attitude.

6. Accompany Survivors to hospitals or police stations when requested and when appropriate.

Volunteer Educators Help keep our children safe

As a volunteer educator for SASS you will be working directly with students grades K-12 in both Rockingham and Strafford Counties. You will also have the opportunity to present to adult learners or other community groups. The programs you will present have topics ranging from personal body safety and healthy relationships to images in the media.

During training we cover issues such as:

1. Understanding the core concepts of our program

2. Facilitation skills

3. Learning and practicing the activities and scripts used in the schools

4. Learning puppeteer skills (for those interested in the elementary program)

5. Handling awkward moments in a classroom

6. How to respond to a disclosure of sexual abuse

Volunteers also spend at least one morning observing presentations prior to presenting material themselves.

Volunteers will not be sent into the classroom on their own.SASS programs are designed so that volunteers are accompanied in the classroom by a staff member or experienced volunteer.

It is possible for potential volunteers to observe a presentation in order to decide if they would like to commit to training. Observations are scheduled by simply calling the office and speaking with an Education staff member to set up a date and time.

We have a unique opportunity for you to educate your community, help keep children safe, and inform the public of the important services that SASS provides. By being a member of our Outreach Committee and an ambassador for SASS, you will be directly impacting the lives of those affected by sexual violence and actively fighting to put an end to it. The time commitment will be an average of 3 hours per month, and be split between a monthly meeting and outreach events of your choosing.

You will be participating by appearing at information tables, community events, fundraising events and a number of other activities to help spread the word about the agency and our services. If you are outgoing, talkative, and passionate about building a healthy and safe community, this job is for you!

Member:
NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
National Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Greater Seacoast United Way