The On Call Advocacy Program (OCAP) was designed to help bridge the gap in services for victims of domestic violence during non-business hours. It has now become a 24-hour a day, 7 day a week crisis response to domestic violence in the DC Metro Area. Advocates answer calls on our Response Line, and meet with victims in the community at hospitals, police stations, and other public locations to provide immediate crisis intervention services and safety planning where and when victims need it most.
Advocates also provide emotional support and information about the justice system, referrals to social service programs, access to immediate crisis shelter and access to the Emergency Temporary Protection Order Process. On Call Advocates have three options when giving their time and talents as a volunteer:
- Answering the OCAP Response Line for one shift a month;
- Being available on an as-needed basis to go out into the community and meet with victims after police have been called;
- Riding along with police once a month for an eight hour shift to provide services in person at the scene of the crime.
Forty hours of training is required for any of these options. This training is conducted after regular business hours and on weekends to accommodate those who work full-time or have other responsibilities. A ride along with MPD is also encouraged as part of the training process. Scheduling of volunteer shifts is also flexible. All volunteers are required to attend a monthly supervision and in-service meeting.