Newsletter: Winter 2002: Commitment to Care

Over 30 people attended the Fall Sexual Assault Examiner (SAE) training of the Forensic Healthcare Program, making it one of the largest recent trainings. In a time of city-wide and nation-wide crisis, it is inspiring that this sizeable group of people were willing to take the extra steps necessary to attend the five-day program and become Sexual Assault Examiners.

The helping spirit that has been so apparent in the last few months was very much in evidence as NYC Special Victims Detectives made a valiant attempt to be present even while working double shifts to respond to the WTC. Ultimately, they were not able to come but their level of investment to the SAE training was clear and should be recognized.

This same commitment to Sexual Assault Examiner training was made by Mary Eustace and the Westchester County Medical ExaminerÕs office, who graciously agreed to fill in for the NYC Medical ExaminerÕs office. While unable to attend, the NYC Medical ExaminerÕs office called in the days after the attack to express their continued support for the program, and regrets that they could not be there.

While many felt the strain of the times, the commitment to providing care for victims of sexual assault remained strong. This was made clear by those that assisted with finding additional space to accommodate everyone more comfortably, those that presented information in the training, and those who, despite having to endure long delayed trips into the city, came each day anyway.

The training was a success in all significant aspects. On behalf of the Forensic Healthcare Program, sincere thanks are sent to all who assisted in and attended the training. Their commitment demonstrates the vitality and value of this program. And, as calls continue to come into the Forensic Healthcare Program for technical assistance, that assessment continues to be reaffirmed.

Ms. Towns is the former Director of the Forensic Healthcare Program at The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault. [[2] more]

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[1]: http://www.nycagainstrape.org/home/nycaasa/stage.nycagainstrape.org/newsletter_author_2.html
[2]: http://www.nycagainstrape.org/home/nycaasa/stage.nycagainstrape.org/newsletter_author_2.html
[3]: http://www.nycagainstrape.org/home/nycaasa/stage.nycagainstrape.org/newsletter_article_103.html
[4]: http://www.nycagainstrape.org/home/nycaasa/stage.nycagainstrape.org/newsletter_article_102.html

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