County Seeks Volunteers For Abused Persons Programs

mh/abuse.pr 97-286 Contact: Shelley Lipton or
Hannah Sassoon, (301) 986-5885

COUNTY SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
FOR ABUSED PERSONS PROGRAM For Immediate Release: September 16, 1997

The Abused Persons Program of Montgomery County's Department of Health and
Human Services is seeking volunteers to work with victims of domestic violence who are
seeking legal remedies for protection.
Volunteers are being recruited to serve in any of the following areas:
o Court Companions -- who accompany clients to civil and criminal court proceedings
and offer support and information to victims throughout the legal process; and
o Victim Assistants -- who work in the court house providing information and help to
domestic violence victims seeking protective orders;
Volunteers are required to attend a 25-hour course to learn about the program, the
court system and domestic violence laws. Training is conducted at the Bethesda offices of
the Abused Persons Program, with site visits to the courts.
In addition, court companion volunteers must be available "on-call" one day a week
for morning or afternoon court sessions. Volunteers are expected to serve for at least one
year.
Interested citizens and bilingual persons are encouraged to apply. Applications will be
accepted through November 1. To apply, or for more information, call the Abused Person
Program at 301-986-5885, weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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