... a volunteer for a local organization with maybe three employees, and a continually changing roster of community supporters who go through a series of classes to learn how to offer support for victims who call the Sexual Assault Hotline. The supporting volunteers are required to take twenty four hours of training before they can be placed on a roster that takes calls day and night, through an answering service. Or go to the hospital when a victim is taken to the ER for an exam and interview with public safety to provide a friendly face, supporting the traumatized victim and provide information to help with understanding of medical and police procedures.
All this to report I had more calls on transferred from the hotline today than I have had since the first of the year. Generally on the calendar for two days each month, taking calls funneled through a commercial service to avoid giving out personal numbers. Responding to people with concerns or interest dialing the hotline number, patched through to who ever is on call for a twelve hour shift. I usually take two Tuesdays. I might get one call a month during those two twelve hours I am on the list to take calls from people looking for counseling, or information, or support, or wanting to know how to go about reporting an assault.
I got four calls this afternoon in about thirty minutes. Either very lucky or Very Unlucky. Two of the calls were from the same person. She wanted help with going someplace to pick up some personal items, and needed transportation. I knew that funds are available to help victims with travel, so asked her for a phone number -which she refused to give. She said she was homeless, and could not provide a number or location. Meaning she was at the local shelter and did not want anyone to be privy to the address or the number she was calling from. I had to wonder how she expected us to send a taxi if she would not tell anyone where she was or how to get in touch.
Looking back, I am guessing that the need for transportation was only a very small part of the problems she is facing. She offered the number for Aunt Viola, but that failed to work out well enough for the Center to meet her needs. It is a sad situation - I can't imagine the stress of being homeless, not having a dependably safe spot in your life to call home, even on a temporary basis. Making me really thankful for a house, a home, all the mod.cons. that go with homeownership, electricity, water on demand, HVAC.
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