Elbert County Sheriff's Office Seeks Victim Assistance Volunteers

The Elbert County Sheriff's Office Victim Assistance Program is seeking volunteers to be trained as Victim Advocates. This program assists victims of crime and surviving families in cases of death by providing immediately crisis intervention, referrals, and follow-up support. Volunteer staff works directly with Sheriff's Deputies and Investigator's as well as other law enforcement agencies in Elbert County.

This position requires reliability, integrity, discretion, and commitment. Because we are looking for a select and elite group of volunteers, the following criteria must be met:

• Be at least 21 years old
• Complete application process, which includes an interview, criminal history/background check and polygraph
• Attend 40 hour initial training
• Attend one evening staff meeting per month
• Be on-call by pager and available to provide assistance 1 week a month
• Have reliable transportation
• Make a one-year commitment
• Ability to cope with emotional and stressful situations

New volunteers are being sought to enhance the current program. Training will include information on sexual assault, domestic violence, the criminal justice system, crisis counseling techniques, understanding the structure law enforcement, community resources and grief support.

Interested persons should contact Victim Assistance with questions. Applications may be picked up at the Elbert County Sheriff's Office, Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 4:30pm.

Contact: Sunni D. Ward, Victim Assistance Coordinator (303) 621-2027 x6126