Volunteer
Since the first woman answered the Rape Crisis Line in 1973, the volunteers at the RVAP have been the heart and soul of the organization. Our volunteers are dedicated to making our community a safer and more supportive place.
The Rape Victim Advocacy Program is continually seeking motivated individuals who will volunteer their time, talents and skills.
Page Contents
Advocate | Indirect Service | Advisory Board
Advocate
Advocates provide direct services through offering support, information and referrals on our 24-hour local and statewide crisis lines and/or by providing in-person medical advocacy and support for recent sexual assault victim/survivors. This year, volunteers and staff will respond to an estimated 650 new victims.Learn more...
Indirect Service
Rape Victim Advocacy Program volunteers are the backbone of the agency. Through community outreach and organizing, they combat the societal attitudes that tolerate sexual violence.
Here are some of the ways community members volunteer for RVAP providing indirect service:
- Educate youth and adults about sexual
- Conduct research and literature searches on specific projects
- Assist RVAP staff in setting up and staffing information tables
- Assisting with RVAP marketing needs
- Plan a fundraiser
- Write editorials
- Distribute posters and brochures
- Participate in a community event
- Assist with planning and execution of Sexual Assault Awareness Month
- Lend your expertise to train RVAP volunteers on related topics
- Contact law makers regarding issues and legislation that impact sexual assault victims and the centers that offer services to sexual assault victims
- Assist with periodic displays of the “Clothesline Project”
- Update and maintain the RVAP library
- Apply to join the Advisory Board
Advisory Board
Advisory Board Members act in a variety of ways utilizing individual and collective experiences and skills to advance RVAP's Mission... Learn more...
Men's Anti-Violence Council
The Men’s Anti-Violence Council (MAC) is a volunteer group at The University of Iowa. It provides an opportunity for men to be an active part of the solution regarding violence prevention. MAC teaches bystanders how to intervene safely and helpfully when faced with a difficult, inappropriate or offensive situation. Bystanders often remain silent if they don't know what to do or say. MAC's focus is on making positive changes. Everyone has a voice and influence in their community. MAC members do not want their silence to be interpreted as agreement or acceptance. We send a message about what is appropriate by speaking up, taking action, and modeling healthy behaviors. As men, we have strength and we have a voice. Positive changes do not happen when good people remain silent. What are your actions saying about your views on violence? It's easy to say that you don't agree with violence or harassment without actually doing anything about the problem. However, MAC members engage in activities in an attempt to prevent violence from happening in the first place.
MAC provides the opportunity to discuss numerous issues related to masculinity and violence prevention. We discuss masculinity, gender roles, violence prevention, domestic violence, stalking and sexual assault. Besides facilitating discussions, we also take action. We facilitate workshops, film discussions, fundraisers, rallies, and other programs about masculinity, mentoring, harassment, bystander intervention skills, bullying, violence, and technology and stalking. MAC also serves as a resource with a library of books and films about these issues and a website. MAC members have presented workshops and programming to over 1,700 students and community members. We collaborate with numerous campus and community groups to ensure that our community and campus is an environment where everyone is safe and respected. Click here for more information on MAC or to find out how to be a volunteer.
