Crisis Intervention Training at Luther College
Every January we are fortunate to partner with the Luther College social work course, “Crisis Intervention”, and provide our Victim Counselor Training. This collaboration came about as a way to offer the participants firsthand experience with crisis intervention, through volunteering with a victim service agency. While not all participants may pursue this volunteer opportunity, it is also a great way to provide them with knowledge about the dynamics of domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as information on how to respond to friends and loved ones who may be struggling. With both of these issues being highly relevant on college campuses, we hope that this training will encourage more positive bystander intervention and referrals to the appropriate victim service agency.
Helping Services’ Domestic Abuse Resource Center and Riverview Center, the sexual assault advocacy agency for our service area, partner together to bring this 30 hour training to Luther College. The Volunteer Coordinator from each agency takes part in coordinating the training, recruiting guest speakers, and providing interactive crisis intervention activities. This year we were able to bring in a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, an investigator from the Decorah Police Department, the Stewards of Children training, the Luther College Title IX Coordinator, Luther Head of Security, and a human trafficking specialist. All of these guest speakers were able to present on the aspects of the training that they are experts, and give the students the opportunity to ask follow up questions.
While this training may be presented on campus to the “Crisis Intervention” course, it is also open to community members who would like to participate. This is our 17th year offering this training, and we hope that this collaboration between agencies and Luther continues for many years to come. If you are interested in participating in this training, or others of this type, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Brittany McIntyre at 563-380-4976 or bmcintyre@helpingservices.org.
