APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Must reside in the Ottawa- Carleton area.
• Must consent to a security clearance investigation and personal reference check.
• Must become familiar with the procedures of VASOC and successfully complete the required in-depth and ongoing training.
• Must be willing to sign an oath of confidentiality which requires a volunteer not to disclose or give to any unauthorized person any information or document that has come into their knowledge or possession while working as a VASOC volunteer.
• Must be prepared to volunteer a minimum of 24 hours per month and to attend regularly scheduled meetings and training events.

VICTIM ASSISTANCE VOLUNTEER POSITION SUMMARY

Direct service Responsibilities:

• Respond immediately to requests for victim assistance from police and/or fire services by attending on site or at an alternate safe premise. (On occasion, crisis assistance may be done by telephone).
• Provide emotional support and companionship including answering questions and providing information that will help to lessen the impact of the crisis for the victim.
• Provide practical assistance as needed. This may include transportation and/or accompanying victims to emergency services(e.g. a shelter or hospital), making phone calls upon request or alternate arrangements as required, Helping to secure premises, and other similar tasks.
• Identify longer - term needs by responding to victim's concerns, and supply the victim with appropriate options and referrals to services in the community that will assist the victim in assessing resources for further assistance.
• Report activity to VASOC Coordinator, Assistant, or Volunteer Relief Supervisor upon completion of a service call.
• Complete client contact form and submit it to the VASOC office by the next working day.
• Participate in the evaluation of the service call and provide relevant information to the VASOC Coordinator for client follow up.

Personal Safety

• VASOC volunteers do not compromise their personal safety under any circumstances.
• VASOC volunteers are trained to assess safety issues of service calls in cooperation with police, fire services and the on-call supervisor.
• VASOC volunteers always work in teams of two.
• VASOC volunteers never attend at a service call alone.
• VASOC volunteers always report to the on-call supervisor prior to leaving for a service call and upon completion of a call.
• VASOC volunteers use only first names when undertaking their assigned VASOC functions and never divulge personal identifying information.

Confidentiality

Volunteer Conduct