Crisis center needs volunteer counselors

Karen Martin-Wilkins, volunteer coordinator for the SAFE Homes Rape Crisis Coalition, rearranges a mannequin at the group’s thrift store in Spartanburg. A volunteer training course for combating domestic violence and sexual assault will begin on Oct. 3. More than 6,000 adults and

children were the victims of

domestic violence or sexual

assaults in Spartanburg,

Cherokee and Union counties

last year. Beginning Oct. 3, the

SAFE Homes-Rape Crisis

Coalition will start training volunteers

in efforts to help bring

those numbers down.

“I’ve been working here for

10 1/2 years,” said Karen

Martin-Wilkins, who serves as

the coalition’s volunteer coordinator.

“Initially, this organization

started as a kind of underground

group of concerned people

who saw that there were no

resources in our area to help

individuals who wanted to leave

a situation of domestic violence.

Beginning in 1981, the group

put together a network of

homes that could offer a safe

place to stay for victims of

abuse. SAFE stood for Shelters

Available For Emergency and

the system worked well for the

first year or so.”

In order to meet needs more effectively, the group merged with the Rape Crisis Center another organization that helped victims of sexual assault.

“At the time, many of the agencies in the state were merging these two types of centers,” Martin-Wilkins recalled.

We moved into a new office in 1995 — but we’ve outgrown that one, too. Our new building on Union street in Spartanburg has both offices and a thrift store in it. It’s 10 times as big as our old facility.”

But the increase in real estate merely highlights demand for the help the coalition gives. In 1983, the group helped just 22 victims of domestic violence. In 2004 that number was 6,122 victims from Cherokee, Spartanburg and Union counties.

“We’re always in a state of fluctuation with our volunteers,” Martin-Wilkins said.

Some of them can easily get burned out. There are college students who move away or graduate. But, some of them find that this is their calling. A lot of volunteers are apprehensive about serving on the Rape Crisis 24-hour hotline at first — and it isn’t for everyone — but some find great fulfillment.”

The training will focus on two different types of volunteers.

“Volunteer Victim Advocates are on call after office hours and on weekends,” MartinWilkins said. “They are available to go to local hospitals and be there to provide emotional support for victims during the forensic stage of the investigation and treatment. Domestic Violence Hotline volunteers, however, only respond to phone calls. They might be there to direct victims to legal support, counseling or just to be an ear to listen to them. In fact, that’s probably the key aspect of being a volunteer here, is being able, and willing, to listen.”

All prospective volunteers are invited to attend the 30-hour training for a detailed explanation of the program. Interested parties are urged to contact Martin-Wilkins at (864) 5839803.