SAFE Services in NYC Today

What is a "SAFE Center of Excellence"?

Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART)

In October 2000, Governor Pataki signed the Sexual Assault Reform Act (SARA) requiring the 24-hour availability of Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFEs) at hospitals designated as SAFE Centers of Excellence. To actualize this requirement in New York City, the Health and Hospital Corporation (HHC) and the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice Center established partnerships called Sexual Assault Response Team (SARTs).

SARTs are composed of rape crisis counselors and specially trained forensic examiners who have undergone intensive training approved by the New York State Department of Health. SART staff are trained to identify, collect and package forensic evidence, accurately document injuries, and attend to the emotional needs of rape victims. SARTs respond within an hour to every sexual assault victim who arrives at a SAFE Center of Excellence in the borough that a particular SART serves. SARTs ensure the 24-hour availability of sexual assault forensic examiners so that rape victims receive prompt and high quality medical, counseling, and forensic services.

For more information on technical assistance provided by HFSP, contact Sultan Torshkhoev, the Alliance's Health and Forensic Services Project Director, at storshkhoev@nycagainstrape.org.