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Article
Volunteer and User Evaluation of the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline
Evaluation and Program Planning
  • Sarah Bowen
  • Neharika Chawla
  • Susan E. Collins
  • Katie Witkiewitz
  • Sharon Hsu
  • Joel Grow
  • Seema Clifasefi
  • Michelle Garner, University of Washington Tacoma
  • Anne Douglass
Publication Date
8-1-2011
Document Type
Article
Abstract

PURPOSE: The National Sexual Assault Online Hotline (NSAOH) is a new model for delivery of rape and sexual assault crisis services through a secure, confidential chat-based online hotline. This paper presents a program evaluation drawn from volunteer counselor and user perceptions and experiences during the second year of operation of the NSAOH. METHOD: Outcome data are presented from 731 session evaluations submitted by 94 volunteers and session evaluations from 4609 user sessions collected between June 1, 2008 and May 30, 2009. Evaluation includes ratings of usefulness, topics discussed, length of sessions, services provided, and session difficulties. RESULTS: The results indicate that the model is viable and useful, and the majority of volunteers and users are satisfied. Volunteer knowledge and skills are strongly associated with satisfaction with the hotline. Nevertheless, one-fifth of volunteers rate their session as not useful and users rate 8.2% of volunteers low in knowledge and skills. DISCUSSION: NSAOH is reaching many who have not previously sought services or did not resolve issues through other means. Findings suggest the importance of preparing volunteers in both crisis intervention and a wide variety of long-term issues related to sexual assault. Recommendations for program development, evaluation, and further research are presented.

DOI
10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2010.09.002
Publisher Policy
pre-print, post-print
Disciplines
Citation Information
Sarah Bowen, Neharika Chawla, Susan E. Collins, Katie Witkiewitz, et al.. "Volunteer and User Evaluation of the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline" Evaluation and Program Planning Vol. 34 Iss. 3 (2011) p. 266 - 272
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/michelle_garner/13/