Description of the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center
The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) is a non-profit organization serving the needs of survivors of sexual assault, their friends and family, and the general community. We are located in Central Square, Cambridge. The Center provides a 24-hour hotline, medical and legal advocacy, short-term individual and group counseling, case management, referrals, community education and prevention services, professional training, and consultation. All services are free, confidential, available to adults and adolescents of all genders, and offered in multiple languages.
Description of the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center Legal Advocacy & Immigration Legal Services Program
BARCC’s Legal Advocacy Program provides brief consultations, advocacy and legal referrals to sexual assault survivors. A legal advocate’s assistance to a survivor may range from a brief consultation on civil and criminal justice issues to comprehensive support and advocacy for criminal justice, employment, safety, and education issues. The program also offers immigration services – this branch of the program provides assistance to sexual assault survivors through filing U & T visas and VAWA self-petitions, as well as providing immigration consultations. The immigration program operates independently; however this program works closely with the advocates and attorneys in the Legal Advocacy Program. The legal program operates during normal business hours.
Description of the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center Legal Advocacy Internship
BARCC Legal Advocacy Interns conduct initial phone intakes and screen cases for all legal issues related to sexual violence. Interns are assigned cases to monitor and are expected to provide the necessary advocacy for their clients. Please note, interns will receive a stipend. Advocacy responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Research legal issues and draft internal legal memorandums
• Provide brief consultations, referrals and advocacy services to clients
• Provide accompaniment to police stations, District Attorney interviews and/or other system proceedings
• Compile appropriate legal and social service referrals
• Develop individual projects with staff
• Mandatory attendance of 40 hour state certified Rape Crisis Counselor training;
In addition to training, regular supervision by an attorney will be provided.
Qualifications
Candidates must be law students and/or graduate students with criminal justice or legal educational background. All interns must be available to work full time during the summer months and/or at least 10 hours per week during the academic year.
If interested, please submit a cover letter, resume, and volunteer application (available at http://barcc.org/join/volunteer-intern/intern/apply) to volunteer@barcc.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. For comprehensive information on the services available at the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, please go to www.barcc.org.