SART Volunteer Testimonials

VSAC Sexual Assault Response Team Support Worker - Volunteer Testimonials

I’ve been a volunteer with VSAC since starting my training in February of 2023. I applied to be a volunteer because I am passionate about supporting survivors of sexualized violence. Through the training I became equipped with all the necessary tools to support someone in crisis and was able to learn with an incredibly supportive and kind group of people. I am grateful for the time I spent learning how to do this role because it was done with such inspiring and wonderful people. The training for this role not only equipped me to support survivors, but also developed skills that I use in every day life supporting friends, family, clients at work, and caring for myself at the same time. My first shifts were intimidating but the work has been so fulfilling and meaningful. There is so much support in this role and anytime I need to debrief or have a question on shift there are timely resources to help me. I highly recommend this position to anyone who is considering a career in supporting people or already works in a job supporting people. I learned so much about myself in this role and am thankful for my time with VSAC.

Training at VSAC to become a SART volunteer has been one of my greatest learning experiences. Not only they offer you many opportunities to learn about the different options survivors have following a sexual assault, but they also provide amazing guidance practicing your responses through role plays and coaching sessions, where you feel completely safe in your learning process. I have now been a SART volunteer for over a year, and it has been an extremely meaningful and rewarding role being able to provide support, information, and referrals to survivors at times of need. You really feel you are part of the community and it makes you realize the importance of contributing and being able to give back to the community.

Volunteering with VSAC has been one of the most meaningful experiences in my life. Before beginning, I was nervous that I wouldn’t be cut out for the work, but the folks conducting the training, and the training itself boosted my confidence and gave me more skills and tools than I could have anticipated to utilize when supporting survivors. I am so grateful for the opportunity to support those in need and just knowing that you played a part in a person’s healing journey is pretty incredible. I highly recommend the SART role to all those looking to make a positive impact and find immense purpose in a volunteer position.

Prior to joining the Victoria Sexual Assault Centre as a volunteer Support Worker with the Sexual Assault Response Team, I had been deeply contemplating what it means to contribute to one’s community—how could I support, uplift, and provide care to others? And in what kind of organization would it be possible to do so in a truly meaningful way? For me, this meant being part of an organization which embodies values of anti-oppression, intersectionality, and feminism. All the way through the process of joining the Sexual Assault Response Team—from the application to the interview, to the training, to volunteering—these values have been demonstrated in actionable ways. I believe that is a testament to the services VSAC offers, that the training the volunteers undergo reflects the care VSAC provides to survivors.

Throughout the SART training our Volunteer Coordinator, Riven, offered attentiveness, care, support, and gentle feedback. I particularly appreciated that zi provided interview questions prior to the interview, which allowed me to prepare in advance, and made for such an easeful and positive interview experience. I also loved that Riven asked me how I prefer to receive feedback—which I had never been asked before! To me, this is a small action which is immensely meaningful. Allowing others space to exert their agency is vital, especially in supporting survivors; by offering myself and my fellow volunteers agency Riven demonstrated a way in which this value is put into practice.

The SART training is incredibly thorough. The training materials, online modules, and readings are so well organized, informative, and thought-provoking. The training prompts personal reflection and growth, and provides volunteers the opportunity to connect as a community, and learn together—with informational, theoretical, and practical teachings. Every training session delved into vital subject areas, and I found the sessions which focused on cultural safety and supporting gender diverse survivors particularly impactful. The SART training is akin to a university level course in both it’s structure, as well as the time and energy commitment required. I appreciate how well Riven facilitated the training sessions; zi created space for everyone to feel seen and heard, and to prioritize health and safety, while still efficiently and effectively guiding us through our training.

For anyone that is considering volunteering with the Sexual Assault Response Team, I highly recommend it! Being part of SART is both personally rewarding, and, moreover, deeply meaningful community care.

~Ali T.

I started the training for SART this past Spring and it was a beautiful experience of learning from the coordinators and the community of individuals who were training.

Riven and Madison did an outstanding job at cultivating a space that was inclusive and felt safe. Organizations should take note as to how this space and those facilitating a learning environment stayed true to their ethos and held space for all peoples feelings, experiences and beliefs while also making the learning environment approachable for a variety of people with different levels of knowledge regarding systemic and internalized biases and structures.

I truly value being in an environment where it feels that everyone's voice matters and that those facilitating training are more than willing to hear feedback and make changes if there are suggestions.

The space was very intentional in listening and meeting everyone's needs and was extremely thorough to best prepare us all for being on call.

The support continues far after training and it is apparent the appreciation and care for volunteers.

This is an opportunity that is a great time commitment but is extremely worth it for the knowledge you gain and through feeling heard and seen within a community of like-minded individuals.

The training with VSAC was excellent. I’ve worked and learned alongside activists and in the social services sector for years, but never from a trauma-informed feminist and queer organization that has this true capacity to serve everyone, and center healing in every interaction.

I’m especially thankful for the people who participate in the community working groups for queer/gender-queer folks and (BIPOC) people of colour, for extending their perspectives and strength while holding multiple roles (family members, health and healing, careers, community caring); and for the workers and volunteers who work with young folks to change our culture and center consent and respect.

I began volunteering with the SART team shortly after moving to Victoria and am so glad that I did. Taking on my first shifts was definitely intimidating but I found that VSAC’S comprehensive training really had prepared me for my role. I’ve been continually impressed with how supported I’ve felt both during and after shifts, whether through a debrief with the volunteer coordinator or by connecting with a Senior SART worker during a response. I believe that the SART team does important work in our community and it has been really meaningful and educational to be involved with both VSAC and the survivors who reach out to us.

My experience doing SART training at the Victoria Sexual Assault Center has been extremely positive. There’s a huge emphasis on building self awareness and understanding one’s own capacity and strengths which is both helpful in supporting survivors and one’s own self.

The content is heavy, but it is taught in a thoughtful, patient and kind way. I really appreciate making connections with Riven, Katie and with other volunteers who are all empathetic, and emotionally intelligent people.

The support work is challenging and deeply meaningful. I’ve appreciated knowing I can always ask questions to Senior SART during shifts and rely on the support of the wonderful staff at VSAC. I’m also humbled and grateful to be a part of this opportunity.

Being part of the SART team is truly an honor for me, as it allows me to work with and for survivors of sexualized violence. Volunteering in this capacity gives meaning to my career, which I have always wanted to shape in a way that helps others. As a professional and as a person, I am committed to using my most human skills—listening and empathy—to connect with others who might find some value in what I know or have experienced.

Going through the training at VSAC has been an enriching experience as an international student. I have found it to be a safe space, full of community richness and individuals ready to help without judgment. For me, being part of the volunteer training also symbolizes an open space for questions, a place where curiosity is welcomed, and where there is always someone willing to support you. It reminds me that we are never alone when it comes to helping others.