SCHENECTADY, NY (09/15/2010)(readMedia)-- Want to make a difference in your community? Sexual Assault Support Services of Schenectady County new volunteer training begins soon. Find out if serving as a volunteer counselor is right for you.

Learn the psychological aspects of sexual assault/abuse, effective counseling techniques, and how to help survivors of sexual assault begin the healing journey.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at hospital emergency room (ER) sexual assault evidence collection. Get an insider's view of the criminal justice system (court), which prosecutes sexual assault perpetrators.

When the comprehensive training program is completed, volunteer counselors help staff the Hotline. As a volunteer you are not sitting at a call center waiting for the phone to ring. You will receive a crisis hotline pager for use when you are "on call." This gives you flexibility to go about your busy personal schedule, yet ensures quick response to hotline calls.

Interested in serving as a Sexual Assault Support Services team member? Contact Janine Pustolka at j.pustolka@ppmhchoices.org or 518.374.5353, ext. 216.