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The team that makes up the Sexual Assault Services of Northwest New Mexico, clockwise from top left, Eleana Butler, Mary Kunkel, Leah Elkins, Dorie Murphy, Melanie Redhouse, Kathy Barrett and Cheryl Coleman. Elkins, the advocate coordinator, works closely with volunteers Kunkel, Murphy and Redhouse.
Editor's note: This story is part of an ongoing series intended to promote volunteerism in our community. There are more than 100 programs in need of volunteers. For more information, see the Volunteer! link at daily-times.com.

FARMINGTON — For victims of sexual abuse, reporting the crime and seeking help can be an arduous first step.

In the Farmington area, the listening ear on the other end of the telephone or the hand that's squeezing back most likely is a volunteer.

Volunteer advocates working through Sexual Assault Services of Northwest New Mexico comfort rape victims, better known as survivors, through long and uncomfortable medical examinations necessary to collect needed evidence if criminal charges might apply.

But going beyond the medical exam room, advocates also refer survivors to other services that are available, such as counseling or other healing measures.

"The rape crisis advocate is truly the survivors' other set of eyes and ears, and is solely there to make sure they're OK, that their needs are being met and that they really understand all of their choices," said Eleana Butler, director of the sexual assault services center.

Sexual Assault Services of Northwest New Mexico is the county's only rape crisis response agency, which also operates a local rape crisis hotline.

Through the center, victims can be examined for injury or evidence from a sexual assault and receive guidance on what to do next. All services are free, and

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victims can remain anonymous. On average, more than 10 instances of sexual abuse are reported in the Farmington office each month. Whether criminal charges are filed is at the discretion of the victim.

Nurses must maintain a level of unbiased professionalism in completing rape examinations to ensure a fair and accurate test for court records, but rape survivors often need much more emotional support, which an advocate can provide, Butler said.

While the exam is important, Butler said, "There's so much more in terms of that emotional healing that needs to be addressed and followed up with."

The office currently has eight active volunteer advocates, with seven more in training, who alternate on-call shifts to ensure if a rape is reported, a volunteer can arrive quickly to support that person. But more are needed.

"I understand being a victim because I am a survivor myself. I was there and in my day, there wasn't such a thing as counseling. You just didn't talk about it to anybody," said Dorie Murphy, a volunteer advocate. "I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to do something that mattered."

Although some volunteers have personal experience with rape, anyone can help.

Volunteer Mary Kunkel said aiding survivors is rewarding, knowing that the experience of a rape, without some help, can leave lasting emotional scars on its victims.

"I have seen first-hand the results and the devastation from this for many, many years and (helping) has become a passion of mine," she said.

Volunteers are expected to complete a 40-hour training program offered twice a year before they can work with victims one on one.

The sexual assault services center, at 622 W. Maple St., is seeking other volunteers to aid with office work to ensure that the center stays open when the professional staff has meetings that otherwise require the doors be shut to potential victims.

"They have all sorts of different reasons," Butler said of the center's volunteers. "They want to give back to the community and they're just particularly called to sexual assault victims they really feel that they want to be that support person."