Student volunteers are needed to help stamp out acquaintance rape at NIU.

NIU Counselor Barb Zuber said the Counseling and Student Development Center is looking for volunteers for a new Sexual Assault prevention program planned for the fall.

Zuber said the purpose of the task force is to educate NIU and the community about the causes and prevention of acquaintance rape, including providing available services for victims.

Students interested in volunteering can attend a meeting April 17 at 5:30 p.m. in the University Resources for Women building.

The meeting will cover general information about purposes of the program and how students can be a part of it, Zuber said.

Zuber said after a six-week training course, volunteers will run two or three workshops a semester. Students will spend two hours a week in the course and might be able to get internship credit.

Before volunteering, students are required to complete forms, undergo a screening process and commit themselves to working as a team, Zuber said.

Zuber said many students also might use the volunteer experience to brighten resumes.

Men are especially encouraged to volunteer. “It’s great if fraternities got involved,” Zuber said.

Although they are looking for both committed and non-committed volunteers now, major planning will be done during the summer, Zuber said.