Lead Sexual Assault Advocate

YWC; Terre Town (IN); On-site; USD 32,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

YWCA Greater Lafayette is seeking a Lead Sexual Assault Advocate to provide direct support to survivors and coordinate our 24-hour sexual assault response program in Lafayette, Indiana. You will combine hands-on advocacy with the coordination needed to ensure timely services.

The role involves crisis intervention, crisis hotline coverage, accompaniment to hospitals, court support, and ongoing case management while collaborating with hospitals, law enforcement, and community partners.

Qualifications

• Experience in advocacy, crisis intervention, case management, or supportive services for trauma/violence survivors.
• Understanding trauma-informed care and survivor-centered advocacy.
• Ability to respond calmly, maintain confidentiality, and uphold professional boundaries.
• Strong communication, organizational, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently, adapt to changing priorities, and collaborate with partners.

Responsibilities

• Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, safety planning, and referrals via hotline and in person.
• Accompany survivors to hospitals and support during forensic exams.
• Explain reporting options, rights, and resources; provide court accompaniment.
• Deliver ongoing case management; connect survivors with counseling, housing, healthcare, and financial assistance.
• Facilitate survivor support groups for healing and connection.
• Coordinate hotline coverage and advocate schedules for 24/7 access.
• Build partnerships with hospitals, law enforcement, prosecutors, and community orgs.
• Support outreach, staff training, and volunteer coordination.
• Maintain confidential client records and assist with data/reporting.

Skills

Advocacy

Crisis intervention

Case management

Trauma-informed care

Communication

Organization

Documentation

Confidentiality

Professional boundaries

Independence

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Excel

Job description

YWCA Greater Lafayette | Lafayette, Indiana
Pay: $23–$24 per hour

Help survivors find support, regain control, and move forward.

YWCA Greater Lafayette is seeking a Lead Sexual Assault Advocate to provide direct support to survivors and coordinate our 24-hour sexual assault response program. This role combines hands-on advocacy with the coordination needed to ensure survivors have access to compassionate, timely services.

If you have experience supporting people through crisis, strong organizational skills, and a commitment to respecting survivors’ choices, we encourage you to apply.

About the Role

As part of our Domestic Violence Intervention and Prevention Program, you will help survivors navigate medical care, reporting options, court proceedings, and community resources. You will also coordinate advocate coverage, maintain community partnerships, and support the daily operations of our rape crisis center.

This position reports to the Community Services Manager.

What You’ll Do

Provide crisis intervention, emotional support, safety planning, and referrals through our hotline and in person.

Accompany survivors to hospitals and provide support before, during, and after forensic medical examinations.

Help survivors understand their reporting options, rights, and available resources, including providing court accompaniment.

Provide ongoing case management and connect survivors with counseling, housing, healthcare, financial assistance, and other services.

Facilitate support groups that offer survivors opportunities for healing and connection.

Coordinate hotline coverage and advocate schedules to maintain access to services around the clock.

Build relationships with hospitals, law enforcement, prosecutors, and community organizations to improve services for survivors.

Support outreach, community education, and training for staff, interns, and volunteers.

Maintain confidential client records and assist with program data, grant reporting, and service improvement.

What We’re Looking For

Experience in advocacy, crisis intervention, case management, or supportive services for people affected by trauma or violence.

An understanding of trauma informed care and advocacy that respects each survivor’s decisions, needs, and goals.

The ability to respond calmly to difficult situations while maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Strong communication, organization, and documentation skills.

The ability to work independently, manage changing priorities, and collaborate with community partners.

Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.

Your own transportation.

A bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, human services, criminal justice, counseling, nonprofit management, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent experience in victim services or human services may be considered.

Helpful experience includes:

Sexual assault advocacy, medical advocacy, court advocacy, or crisis hotline services.

Work in a rape crisis center, domestic violence program, healthcare setting, or related organization.

Coordinating advocates, volunteers, schedules, or community programs.

Facilitating support groups or providing community education.

Knowledge of victim services grant requirements and rape crisis center standards.

Completion of sexual assault advocate training through ICESAHT or a comparable program.

What to Expect

This position supports a 24-hour crisis response program and requires occasional evening, weekend, and emergency response availability. The work includes supporting people through stressful and sensitive situations, balancing direct services with program responsibilities, and protecting client confidentiality.

The selected candidate must complete a criminal background check and fingerprint check and obtain 10 continuing education units annually.

Why This Role Matters

Survivors deserve access to support when they need it and the freedom to make informed decisions about what comes next. Your work will help ensure that someone is available to listen, explain options, and provide advocacy throughout that process. You will also help strengthen the community response so survivors receive more consistent, coordinated care.

About YWCA Greater Lafayette

YWCA Greater Lafayette is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

YWCA Greater Lafayette is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer committed to a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.