RCC: Get Involved - Volenteering

Thinking of becoming a crisis centre volunteer?

This work is not for everyone, but for those who do it, it is very fulfilling and it is a great way to serve the community. We are always looking for ladies to train for this important work and help us at the crisis centre.

Rape Crisis Helderberg presents a volunteer training course on an annual basis. Occationally the training might not happen due to circumstances.

In 1994 the first training of volunteers took place at Rape Crisis Helderberg. Much of our success is due to the kind volunteers who selflessly help us with our crisis centre. The training is for our crisis centre volunteers who are on call in shifts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help any member of the community who is raped.

The training has been described as:

"...the rape crisis course examines and addresses some deep and often extremely traumatic issues for women...it is a very intensive, emotionally exhausting training course that will result in a much enhanced understanding of the need for and benefits of Rape Crisis Counseling...the course examines a number of serious topics surrounding the trauma and grief associated with sexual assault...the rape crisis trainees in this program will learn to put aside their own issues, avoid judgment, and listen to the concerns of the women they will be assisting. Women are extremely sensitive and mistrustful following a rape. It is crucial that an assaulted woman recover her power. To this end, counselors will make them feel welcome, offer them a bath and clean clothing, coffee or tea. Making these simple decisions is an important first step in reclaiming one’s dignity and spirit. With commitment and persistence, a counselor can make a tremendous difference in the life of an assaulted woman. From the first small steps of recovering a sense of self to a complete rebuilding of a better life, rape crisis counselors cannot give up on the women to whom they are entrusted."
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The presenters are professional psychologists, social workers, a public prosecutor and the police. Some lecturers offer their services free of charge, while others need to be reimbursed. Volunteers receive advanced training on merit pertinent to the intervention.

Once trained the volunteer accompanies an experienced crisis counselor for a number of cases until the volunteer and the Rape Crisis Management believe the volunteer is ready to do a case on their own.

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After being raped, even if you do not open a case please: Get evidence collected within 24 hours and no later than 72 hours (the police will take you to the rape crisis centre or hospital) Get anti-retrovirals & emergency contraception within 72 hours (anti-retrovirals are free to rape victims at government hospitals) Get antibiotic medication to prevent other sexually transmitted infections Get counselling from a person trained in rape trauma counselling - it is never too late
You can get all of the above free at our office at Helderberg Hospital, Somerset West Call 083 484 9409 (24 hours a day) or 021-852 5620 (office hours) or write to help@crisiscentre.org.za. You do not have to go through this alone.
RAPE TRAUMA SYNDROME is a recognised response to rape and sexual abuse and it includes a variety of problems including various long-term consequences, the symptoms are similar to Post Traumatic Stress. Although many rape survivors suffer from the symptoms of Rape Trauma Syndrome, not all survivors respond to rape in the same way. It is important to treat each rape survivor as an individual and to try and understand what the rape means to that particular person. Coping with being raped may also be more difficult if family, friends and colleagues are not supportive and/or blame the survivor. After the shock has passed, some survivors try to act as if nothing has happened. This is their way of trying to block out the rape, because they feel that they won't be able to cope if they let themselves remember what happened to them. However, if a rape survivor is going to recover well from the impact of a rape, s/he must let her/himself remember the rape and feel whatever s/he is feeling inside. When s/he does start remembering and feeling, s/he will also start suffering from symptoms, but these usually improve gradually over time. It often helps a survivor to have counselling if s/he is experiencing symptoms that upset her/him. The effects of rape are long term. Rape survivors never forget being raped, but many learn how to deal with the memory. Studies have shown that the symptoms suffered by a rape survivor three months after a rape usually continue over the next three to four years, although they do seem to improve over time. Sadly South Africa holds the for the highest rapes world-wide. Interpol estimates that over 1 million women are raped each year in South Africa.
We want to help you to "PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER AGAIN".