
Volunteer Sexual Assault Response Team (VSART)
Why Volunteer?
Job Summary
VSART’s primary role is to support survivors of sexual violence at the North Island Hospital Comox Valley. VSART volunteers may also be asked to promote awareness at community events and/or support at fundraising events.
Volunteering with the SAS program and Comox Valley Transition Society offers volunteers a chance to help make a difference for survivors of sexualized violence in our community. Studies have shown that the sooner a survivor receives authentic and healthy support/connection after a traumatic event, the more likely they are to have a more successful healing journey. VSART volunteers participate in supporting survivors of sexualized violence during some of their darkest days. Working with survivors can be heart breaking and stressful but also rewarding and inspiring.
Job Details
STATUS: On-Call
CLASSIFICATION: Volunteer Sexual Assault Support Worker
WORK AREA: Sexual Assault Services – Lilli House/Main Office
EFFECTIVE DATE: Training begins summer 2024
COMMITMENT: Bi-monthly commitment
SCHEDULE: Monday-Friday: 5:00 pm-10:00 pm or Saturday/Sunday: 8:00am-10:00 pm
SALARY: Volunteer stipend for callouts
Eligibility
- Volunteers must be 19 years or older.
- Criminal Justice System, social services, and/or medical experience are
preferred. - Valid Level I First Aid Certificate including CPR.
- Valid BC driver's license.
- Experience working in community settings.
- Volunteers must have a minimum of 2 years sobriety (for those in recovery).
- Volunteers who have used specialized CVTS programs within the last 2 years
may be ineligible. - A Criminal Record Check for Vulnerable Sector must be completed.
- Volunteer must not have used violence, sexual violence, or stalked another
individual. - Volunteer must not have a personal relationship with a SAS client.
Engagement requirements for volunteers
- Meet survivors or Forensic Nurse at the hospital for physical exams or Sexual Assault Nurse Exam (SANE).
- This may include being inside the exam room with the survivor during the exam upon the survivor’s request.
- Provide immediate emotional support for survivors of recent sexual assault (within the last 7 days). Support may be provided to people of all genders, ages 13yrs+, and ages 0-13yrs who are accompanied by a caregiver or guardian.
- Provide information on options that are available for survivors of sexual assault including systems and services.
- Volunteer must be able to attend at the hospital within 20-40 minutes when on call.
- Be available for on-call shifts in the Comox Valley for one full week and one full weekend bimonthly.
- On-call shifts:
Monday – Friday: 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm (Evenings)
Saturday – Sunday: 8:00 am – 10:00 pm (14/hr) - Commitment for one whole year
- Training commitment of 30 hours over 8 weeks.
Please Apply
Please apply by emailing the SAS Coordinator at SAS@cvts.ca, or through the VSART Application form below.
Thank you – Sexual Assault Services Coordinator
Resource Links
- Crisis Lines
- Contact SAS
- Victim Services
- Counselling for Survivors of Abuse and Violence
- Legal Supports
- Mental Health Services
- Local Support Services
- Food and Financial Support
- Health/Sexual Health
- Additional Resources
- Lilli House Transition House Crisis Line: 250-338-1227
- Comox Valley Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 778-225-0039
- Vancouver Island Crisis Line: 1-888-494-3888
- Suicide Hotline: 1-800-784-2433
- Suicide Crisis Hotline text or call: 988
- VictimLink BC: 1-800-563-0808
- KUU-US Crisis Services: 1-800-588-8717
- Coordinator’s Line: 250-650-5488
- Coordinator’s Email: SAS@cvts.ca
- RCMP Victim Services (PBVS): 250-334-5979
- Community-Based Victim Services (CBVS): 250-338-7575
- Sexual Assault Services (SAS): 250-650-5488
- Specialized Women’s Counselling (STV): 250-897-0511
- Forensic Nursing Exam Comox Valley Hospital: 101 Lerwick Rd, Courtenay
- PEACE Counselling (Children and youth): 250-897-0511
- Sexual Abuse Intervention Counselling (Children and youth): 250-338-7575
- BC Society for Male Survivors of Sexual Assault and Abuse: 1-604-682-6482 ($Counselling and Victim Services) Vancouver
- Victoria Men’s Therapy Clinic: 250-381-6367 ($Counselling and Victim Services) Victoria
- STOP - Educational Communication Program for Men
- Legal Aid BC/Family LawLINE: 1-866-577-2525
- Wachiay Family Law & Poverty Law Advocacy: 250-338-7793
- Family Justice Centre and Mediation: 250-897-7556
- Rise Women’s Legal Centre: 1-236-317-9000
- Access Pro Bono Line: 1-877-762-6664
- Family Duty Counsel: Courthouse on Wednesdays @ 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Intimate Image Protection Services: 1-236-468-4381
- STAND Informed (Legal advice for sexual assault and intimate image
protection): 1-604-673-3143
- Foundry (Ages 12-24 Sexual Health and Counselling): 250-338-7341
- VLM Multicultural Family Support Services Society (Counselling/information in 22 languages) 1-604-436-1025
- Island Health - Mental Health: 250-331-8524
- First Nations Health Authority (Counselling/Wellness): 1-855-550-5454
- Trans Lifeline: 1-877-330-6366
- Immigrant Welcome Centre: 250-338-6359
- Comox Military Family Services: 250-339-8290
- Sasamans Society Indigenous Family Services: 250-914-2212
- Salvation Army Pidcock Shelter: 250-338-2532 - 1580 Fitzgerald Ave, Courtenay,
- Wachiay (Women’s Circle & Self Defence Classes): 250-338-7793
- Peer Assisted Care Team (crisis support team): 250-681-4878
- Family Justice Centre: 250-897-7556
- Ministry of Social Development (Income Assistance): 1-866-866-0800
- Comox Valley Food Bank: 1255 McPhee Ave, Courtenay
- CVTS Housing Support: 250-897-0511
- Wachiay Housing Support: 250-338-7793
- Comox Valley Hospital: 101 Lerwick Rd, Courtenay
- Public Health: 961 England Ave
- OPT Sexual Health: Tuesdays 5:00 pm -8:00 pm - 961 England Ave
- Nursing Centre: 250-331-8502
- Foundry: 250-338-7341 - 575 10th St, Courtenay
- Rosewall Women’s Clinic: 778-225-9738

