(Posted 2026 February)
Meet Sophie Truax, Hotline Volunteer
Tell us a little about yourself. What is your professional background?
My name is Sophie, and I am 23 years old. I just recently graduated from George Mason University in May 2025 with a degree in criminology.
How long have you been volunteering? What led to your initial desire to volunteer and serve others?
I began volunteering in June 2025. I initially wanted to volunteer because I wanted to get involved in my community and knew I also wanted to help people who were in tough situations in their lives.
What interested you in volunteering with Fairfax County’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Services?
I was interested in volunteering with DSVS because throughout college I took classes about victims of domestic violence and found it to be something where I was interested in helping. I also wanted to know what it was like to work with victims of domestic violence.
What is the most challenging part of volunteering? How did you overcome this challenge?
For me, the most challenging part of volunteering is removing my own opinions and what I think is the “right” thing to do for someone. I overcame this challenge by realizing someone is not always calling the Hotline to look for advice. By separating my opinions from what they are looking for, I’m able to better help the person calling the hotline.
What’s the best part of volunteering? Share your most memorable experience.
The best part of volunteering is being able to connect with people during training. During the Sexual Violence Tier One training, I was able to meet a group of Inova FACT forensic nurses. In getting to know them, I learned a lot about what they do and the services they provide. A couple of weeks after that, the first Hotline call I took was from a nurse from the FACT Department and made me feel a little more comfortable and familiar with the information I needed to get from them.
What has been your favorite training? What did you like about it? What did you learn?
My favorite training was Domestic Violence Tier One. This training was really heavy in the information we had to take in. I liked the range of things we learned, and also all of the presenters who came in were very knowledgeable about their respective topics. I learned how important it is to take care of yourself after a hard call or situation.
What are your three greatest strengths? How have you been able to display and use these strengths when serving others?
I would say my three greatest strengths would be listening, problem-solving, and maintaining calm under pressure. I have been able to demonstrate these strengths by listening during a Hotline call and wanting to provide the best options so the person on the other end of the phone is able to properly plan for their specific situation.
What advice do you have for people who may be thinking about becoming a DSVS volunteer?
If you’re thinking about becoming a volunteer, do it! It is a very rewarding opportunity and has also given me the chance to learn so much about the resources provided in the community. There are also so many resources available for volunteers themselves to be able to ask questions and take care of themselves.
What do you wish you could do more of as a volunteer?
One thing I wish I could do more of is connect with the volunteers who are part of DSVS. I want to be able to talk to other Hotline volunteers about their experiences and how they handle difficult situations.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
Some of my hobbies include running, reading and being outside. I also really enjoy sitting down and watching a movie in the evening after work.
This article posting is part of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services' Volunteer Voices monthly newsletter for current and potential volunteers. If you're not already a volunteer, learn how to get involved. Find out about upcoming trainings, volunteer trainings, happenings around the DSVS office and information about articles, books, media recommendations and more.
Learn more about the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS).