For more than a decade, Center for Safety & Change’s Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Program has set the standard for sexual assault services in Rockland County. The SAFE Program provides specially trained nurses who offer prompt, compassionate and non-judgmental care and forensic examination to those reporting sexual assault and rape at our hospitals.
The Center launched the SAFE Program at Nyack Hospital in 2003, followed by Good Samaritan Hospital in 2004. Since 2016, the Center annually performs more than 57 SAFE exams at our area hospitals, which averages one per week.
The Services Provided Through Our SAFE Program Include:
Our Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners and Volunteer Rape Crisis Counselors Are Available 24 Hours a Day
SAFE examiners provide critical comfort to sexual assault victims and rape crisis counselors provide emotional support during a time of crisis. Our amazing team of volunteer rape crisis counselors come from diverse backgrounds and are at all different points in their lives, from college students to full-time professionals to retirees. Although diverse, they share a common mission rooted in a deep compassion for victims and survivors of sexual violence and dedication to serve. Volunteer rape crisis counselors staff the Center’s 24-hour hotline and meet victims and survivors at our local area hospitals – no matter the time – during night, weekend and holiday shifts.
How to Become a Certified Rape Crisis Counselor
In order to become certified, rape crisis counselors must go through an application and interview process, complete a comprehensive 40-plus hour training program delivered by Center staff and pass a final exam. The training program covers domestic violence, sexual violence, human trafficking, the legal system, crisis intervention, medical aspects of sexual assault, counseling techniques, cultural competency and diversity, anti-oppression work, post-traumatic stress disorder and other reactions to trauma.
Following certification, counselors come together once a month for a meeting facilitated by Center staff to discuss calls or cases and receive additional training. The Center asks that all volunteer rape crisis counselors commit to a minimum one-year service. Many continue to serve for five, ten, even 15 years or longer.
We deeply appreciate all our volunteer rape crisis counselors for their commitment to our mission in supporting survivors. We simply could not do it without them.