I volunteer on the crisis line with my local sexual assault response center, Hearts of Hope. As one of the only male volunteers, I was asked by their coordinator to write a short article about why I chose to do it and my experiences thus far. This is what I wrote. If you are interested in helping out, whether you're male or female, contact the center in your area (I'm sure there is one). It's incredibly rewarding. Thanks.
For any new advocate, the first shift on the crisis line is
nerve-wracking. For me, it was probably
a little more so, being one of the only male volunteers working the line. I was terrified that I would be unable to
help, that the person on the line wouldn’t want to deal with me, because I was
a man. But, when it comes to it, most
people, when they call the line, are looking for help from anywhere they can
get it and saying that I couldn’t be that because I was a guy was just a lame
excuse not to step up and do what needed to be done. I should know, as it was mine for a few
months before I volunteered.
So I did and it’s been incredibly rewarding. As a male volunteer, regulations prevent me
from being an escort, but working the line is just as vital to the
process. Most men know someone who’s
been the victim of assault and, because we’re told by society we’re meant to be
the protectors, many of us end up feeling frustrated and angry with no outlet. While that helplessness is terrible, the
energy can be channeled into something positive. Volunteer.
Increase awareness. Take a stand
against sexual assault and do what you can to help the victims. Very rarely have the words, “Man up,” been so
fitting.
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