Become a Medical Advocate Volunteer

I had never felt so alone in my life, but there you were with me every step of the way.

Medical advocates meet survivors at the hospital, and once there provide comfort by sharing knowledge, offering empowering support, helping survivors talk with medical staff, and ensuring the survivor has next steps and referrals. Medical advocates provide in-person, compassionate, and knowledgeable support to survivors and their families in hospital emergency departments 24 hours a day during sexual assault exam and evidence collection kits.

A group of people in white coats stand in a brightly lit hospital corridor, with one person looking thoughtfully out the window, reflecting on the essential services provided by the Boston hospital's rape crisis center.

We are currently seeking hotline volunteers of all genders. Bilingual in English and Spanish a plus. This volunteer position requires our 40-hour training. All medical advocate volunteers must be vaccinated to participate. See upcoming training dates here.

Medical advocacy volunteer requirements and details

  • Complete of 40-hour rape crisis counselor training and a buddy shift after graduation from training.
  • Attend mandatory peer supervision meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month, 6:30–8:00pm.
  • Sign up for at least one shift per week. Shifts are five to eight hours in length, and you must carry a cell phone so that you can be notified to go to the hospital. You may not get called to go to the hospital every week.
  • A valid driver’s license and access to a car are not necessary. You must, however, be able to make it to a designated SANE hospital in our service area within 45 minutes of receiving a page.
  • Cases average about four hours, so you need flexibility in availability around your shift. You may be called at the end of your shift and then be at the hospital for several hours past when your shift ended.
  • The Medical Advocacy program is currently seeking volunteers of all gender identities.