Melody Wagler, a senior at Kansas University majoring in social welfare, plans to work with victims of sexual assault. But she’s not waiting until she graduates: As a volunteer for GaDuGi SafeCenter, she is on the frontlines providing support and encouragement for men, women and children who have been affected by sexual violence.

When Melody Wagler was growing up, she had several friends who were affected by sexual violence. And she still remembers how the victims struggled to find support and healing.

“They didn’t have people they could talk to and who supported them in a way that was really helpful,” she said. “Even well-meaning people can say things that aren’t always helpful, without meaning to.”

Wagler is working to change that. As a senior at Kansas University majoring in social welfare, her career plan is to work with victims of sexual assault. But she’s not waiting until she graduates to get started. As a volunteer for GaDuGi SafeCenter, she is on the frontlines providing support and encouragement for men, women and children who have been affected by sexual violence.

Volunteer advocates are trained to help victims through every step of their experience after a sexual assault, from providing advocacy during a medical exam or police interview, to ensuring the victims have a safe place to go when they are released from care. GaDuGi provides 24-hour comprehensive services in Douglas, Franklin and Jefferson counties, does outreach and education on sexual violence in the community, and offers free individual therapy for adults and children.

During the work week, the GaDuGi staff covers the crisis line. But on nights and weekends, volunteers like Wagler take over. When she’s on call, Wagler knows to be ready for anything.

“I was on call one weekend and I got three hospital calls,” she said. “We are one of the first responders. We can stay with the victim through the exam, if that’s what they want. We really don’t offer advice. We are just there for them to support them in whatever they need.”

“Melody is wonderful. She takes a lot of hospital calls and handles it with such grace and strength,” said Jerod Konecny, victim advocate for GaDuGi. “I get a lot of positive feedback from the hospital staff on how patient she is and how well informed she is about the process.”

Konecny said GaDuGi always needs more volunteer advocates like Wagler: “Kind, caring, compassionate people who feel comfortable with being present for people in a dark time, who feel they can provide a voice when someone is too tired or traumatized to do that for themselves.”

“I got into volunteering with GaDuGi because of class volunteering requirements, but I keep doing it because of the absolutely incredible and inspiring people I meet on staff and whom GaDuGi serves,” Wagler said. “For some of these people, I get to be a support and make a bit of a difference in some of the most painful and scary moments of their lives, and that is what keeps me going and keeps me volunteering.”