Sexual Assault, Abuse and Victims Empowerment Program (SAAVE)

Sexual Assault, Abuse and Victims Empowerment Program

Crisis Intervention and Counseling Services for Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Intimate Partner Violence, Human Trafficking and Trauma Victims

Free, confidential.

Hotline in English and Spanish:
833.220.2444
24 hours a day, seven days a week

The Sexual Assault, Abuse and Victims Empowerment Program (SAAVE), provided by Westchester Medical Center, flagship of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth), offers comprehensive services for victims and significant others and are provided regardless of age, race, class, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or physical ability.

SAAVE is committed to:

• Supporting and empowering victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, human trafficking, harassment, stalking and traumas through free, confidential advocacy and counseling.

• Collaborating with local service providers to develop and strengthen services for victims.

• Engaging in violence-prevention education and outreach to eradicate victimization and assist community and healthcare providers in identifying and responding to victims to enhance the healing process and prevent re-victimization. 

The support of the lower Hudson Valley is critical as SAAVE assists victims.

A range of free assistance is provided through the Sexual Assault, Abuse and Victims Empowerment Program (SAAVE) at Westchester Medical Center.

Crisis Intervention
Sexual Assault, Abuse and Victims Empowerment Program (SAAVE) Advocates are always available to listen and offer information to equip those in need with resources to make informed choices about his/her/their health and safety.

Safety Planning
Advocates help victims create personalized, practical plans to prepare to act if in danger.

Short- and Long-Term Counseling
Referrals for customized counseling and mental-health assistance help victims work through psychological, physical and emotional effects of their situation -- and regain power and control over his/her/their lives.

Medical Accompaniment and Referrals
Advocates are available to meet victims for medical appointments at hospitals, clinics and private physicians’ offices to provide emotional support and assist as victims identify, understand and respond to his/her/their health needs.

Legal Accompaniment and Referrals
Advocacy and information are provided to help victims navigate the legal system. Advocates are available to offer emotional support and accompany victims to police departments, appointments with law enforcement, attorneys and court appearances.

Westchester County’s Domestic Violence High Risk Team
Westchester Medical Center’s SAAVE Team staffs Westchester County’s Domestic Violence High Risk 24/7 hotline for Law Enforcement. When Law Enforcement respond to domestic violence calls and, utilizing a screening tool, a victim screens in at “high danger,” our advocates provide crisis intervention, safety planning and access to domestic violence service providers for all victims.

Support and Empowerment Groups
Referrals to support groups are available. These safe, compassionate environments facilitate healing and help victims regain power and control over their lives.

Accompaniment to Westchester Medical Center’s Forensic Acute-Care Team
FACT is a group of highly skilled, compassionate nurses and physicians available 24/7 to offer medical and/or forensic care. The team collects forensic evidence for patients after recent sexual assault or abuse. Advocates are available to accompany victims through this exam process and offer comprehensive supportive services and care.

The Sexual Assault, Abuse and Victims Empowerment Program
Free, confidential.

Hotline in English and Spanish:
833.220.2444
24 hours a day, seven days a week
 

Crime Victims’ Compensation
Advocates will assist victims who may be eligible to receive compensation for loss after victimization through the New York State Office of Victim Services for costs related to lost wages, counseling, medical bills and loss of essential personal property.

Information and Referrals
Advocates connect those in need with supportive programs and social services. These may include shelters and public-benefit programs provided through the Sexual Assault, Abuse and Victims Empowerment Program’s numerous community partners.

The Sexual Assault, Abuse and Victims Empowerment Program
Free, confidential.

Hotline in English and Spanish:
833.220.2444
24 hours a day, seven days a week

Educating the community about strategies to prevent and respond to sexual assault, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, human trafficking and abuse is an important component of the Sexual Assault, Abuse and Victims Empowerment Program (SAAVE).

Safety and Prevention

SAAVE is committed to education and prevention training. Dedicated staff members are available to conduct presentations and workshops for social service agencies, hospitals, criminal-justice systems, medical providers, educators, school districts, colleges and universities, youth groups and others.

Best Practices for Sexual-Assault Response

While SAAVE works to eradicate crimes of sexual violence, the program also seeks to train professionals and first responders to better understand issues such as the neurobiology of trauma. This will result in a trauma-informed and victim-centered approach in the criminal justice system and mental health community, and strengthen supportive services.

To learn more about training, please call 914.493.3650 or email the SAAVE Team at SAAVE@WMCHealth.org.

The Sexual Assault, Abuse and Victims Empowerment Program
Free, confidential.

Hotline in English and Spanish:
833.220.2444
24 hours a day, seven days a week
 

Thank you for your selfless interest in volunteering for the Sexual Assault, Abuse and Victims Empowerment Program (SAAVE). We welcome your commitment to helping others cope with a traumatic period in their lives. Training is provided, and a one-year commitment is requested. Please call 914.493.3650 or email SAAVE@WMCHealth.org for details and to volunteer.

Volunteers participate in a free 30+ hour training program, per New York State Department of Health regulations.

Duties for volunteers include any of the following:

• Shifts on the SAAVE Crisis hotline. May be done from volunteer’s home.

•  Shifts on the Lethality Assessment Hotline for Law Enforcement/Domestic Violence Victims. May be done from volunteer’s home.

• Shifts to accompany victims in person through Forensic Exams at the Westchester Medical Center.

• Ongoing bi-weekly trainings.

Eligibility for volunteers: 

• Age 18 or older.

• Bilingual English/Spanish speakers are particularly welcome.

• A form of transportation is helpful if volunteering to meet victims for accompaniment.

• Services are provided in Westchester County. Volunteers are not required to reside in the county unless they are handling in person accompaniment for victims through forensic exams.

Thank you for your support!

The Sexual Assault, Abuse and Victims Empowerment Program
Free, confidential.

Hotline in English and Spanish:
833.220.2444
24 hours a day, seven days a week

Bienvenidos al programa de Asaltos sexuales, Abusos, y Empoderamiento de victimas de WMCHealth.

Por favor de hacer clic abajo para más información.

• Sobre Nosotros (About Us)

• Servicios De Soporte Gratuitos (Free Support Services)

• Educación Comunitaria (Community Education)

• Voluntarios Bienvenidos (Volunteers Welcome)