The Crime Victims Resource Center has been providing services to crime victims in Mower County since 1977. All services are provided free of charge, and an advocate is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide skilled, non-judgmental care and support services to anyone experiencing various types of crime, including victims of sexual assault and domestic assault, as well as general crimes like burglary and stalking.

You can make a difference for crime victims in Mower County by becoming a volunteer advocate. Advocates receive training so they can appropriately assist crime victims who call the CVRC crisis line for support, information and referrals. It is volunteer advocates who allow CVRC to provide 24-hour assistance to victims of crime by answering the crisis line via a cell phone after hours and on weekends and holidays when the office is closed.

Q: As a volunteer for CVRC would I ever be in an unsafe situation?

A: Absolutely not! It is a very important policy of CVRC that neither staff advocates nor volunteer advocates ever go into a dangerous situation.

Q: I do not have a degree in psychology or social work — how do I know what to say to a person in crisis?

A: The training CVRC provides prospective volunteers gives them the tools and knowledge they need so that they can be an effective volunteer advocate. And a staff person is always available as their backup to answer their questions.

Q: What is the most important skill a CVRC volunteer should have?

A: The ability to listen is the most important skill a victim advocate can have. What people in crisis need is for someone to really listen to them and assure them that they eventually will be okay.

For more information please call CVRC at 507 437-6680.

Lana Hollerud

Victim advocate, the Crime Victims Resource Center

434-1891