A 40-hour Sexual Assault Advocacy Training begins tonight at Mountain West Medical Center. The first class will meet from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., and will continue at the same time tomorrow evening and again on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Nov. 8 and 9 class will meet from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., and on Nov. 10, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The course will also meet on Nov. 15 and 16, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Participants who complete the training will be able to volunteer as victim advocates by manning the county's crisis line, meeting with victims and going to court with victims.

The training is given by the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

Training will cover general information on rape, and information dealing with victims from all walks of life, from child victims to adult survivors.

In Utah, one in three women will experience some form of sexual violence in their lifetime; one in eight will be raped. Child molestation is the most common form of sexual violence.

"By learning and understanding what a victim goes through, an advocate can be there for the victim to help them process the event," said Tooele County Victim Advocate Betsy Leishman.

The training will also help volunteers set aside any bias or prejudice they may have in working with victims of a different race or sexual orientation, she said.

The training will cover understanding the local resources that are currently available in Tooele County, and also what is needed.

The next training session will be in February.

The cost for the training is $50, but there are scholarships available.

For more information contact Betsy at 241-0337.