Violence Prevention & Intervention Volunteer Training Program/Crisis Line Volunteer

Violence Prevention & Intervention Volunteer Training Program
Next Training Dates:
Fall 2024 - Sept 6, 2024 to Nov 22, 2024
APPLY via https://www.bwss.org/take-action/workers-activists/training/volunteer-training-program/

Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) offers the life-changing Violence Prevention and Intervention Volunteer Training Program three times per year (Winter, Spring and Fall). Sessions are held every Friday from 10 am-4 pm.
This Program is offered to women, femmes, and transfeminine people who want to obtain the necessary skills to contribute to ending gender-based violence.
BWSS follows a popular education model for our highly-recognized training. We work from a feminist, anti-oppression perspective and recognize the importance of working from a decolonizing and intersectional framework. We provide skills-based training grounded in a strong theoretical framework for understanding sexualized, intimate partner, gender-based violence, and systemic oppression. Participants in training gain skills in crisis intervention, peer counselling, safety assessment, safety planning, advocacy, referrals, group facilitation, and public education.
After completing the training, weekly Crisis & Intake Line volunteer shifts are required to be filled. If you are working, attending school, and/or have other commitments, you will have to adjust your schedule to accommodate a weekly volunteer shift. (There will be some additional opportunities for you to volunteer during evenings and weekends in other programs).

We require a minimum of a 9-month commitment from volunteers in several areas. Volunteers are required to fulfill a nine-month volunteer commitment with a minimum of 1 shift per week on the Crisis & Intake lines, in addition to shifts/hours allocated to court accompaniments, interpretation, support group co-facilitation, participation in events, and ongoing education. Volunteer start their practicum on the Crisis and Intake Line nearing the end of the training, including 2 shadow shifts.

Through this inclusive, intensive training, participants will acquire knowledge and skills related to:

Theoretical framework of violence against girls, women, femmes, transfeminine and 2SLGBTQI+ survivors of gender-based violence
Trauma-informed crisis intervention
Safety assessment, lethality assessment, and safety planning
Group facilitation
Introduction to criminal, family, and immigration law
Feminist, intersectional, and decolonizing practices
Impacts of colonization, assimilation, and residential schools
Understanding the spectrum of gender-based violence

Participation
The training is facilitated as much as possible from a popular education model requiring a high level of participation from everyone. Training is provided online and at the BWSS office in Vancouver. Participation is expected in both large-group and small-group settings.
All those who volunteer with BWSS to provide crisis support and direct services are first required to complete the volunteer training.

Participation is also required in terms of attendance. Only one session can be missed. If you know in advance that you may have to miss more than one session, we recommend that you apply for the next training session.

Violence Prevention and Education Program
BWSS believes that ending gender-based violence requires not only providing crisis and support services but also engaging in violence prevention work. This includes delivering workshops and presentations in a variety of community settings. BWSS also participates in events, information fairs, festivals, and community activities to promote our programs and services and to educate the public about violence against women and girls. BWSS is committed to social activism and we have a presence at many related events and rallies. These hours can be used to attend such events, provide outreach and education, and work on special projects. Volunteers are required to contribute 20 hours of their volunteer commitment in this area.

Ongoing Training
Once the 12-week training is complete, volunteers are required to participate in ongoing training to continue building practical knowledge and skills. Volunteer commitment can be completed by attending monthly Volunteer Networking Meetings, BWSS training opportunities, or working on special projects as needed. The allotment of these hours will be agreed upon with the Crisis Line and Intake Coordinator during training based on the needs of BWSS and the particular needs and expertise of volunteers.

Interviews
We receive more applications for the training than we can accommodate and we need to ensure participant’s readiness and suitability for the training and volunteer work. After we receive applications, we will take some time to review them. Please be advised that only shortlisted applicants will be called for interviews which are a required part of our screening process.

Apply online via BWSS website.