We partner with UPMC Chautauqua in Jamestown, NY, Olean General Hospital in Olean, NY, and Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville, NY to have SAFE centers in the emergency departments of each hospital.
We have a collaborative approach that involves our SAFE providers, rape crisis centers, law enforcement, prosecutors' offices, victim advocacy organizations and other appropriate service agencies. This allows us to provide a coordinated response to meet the needs of sexual assault survivors and also improve community response to sexual assault.
We have a collaborative approach that involves our SAFE providers, rape crisis centers, law enforcement, prosecutors' offices, victim advocacy organizations and other appropriate service agencies. This allows us to provide a coordinated response to meet the needs of sexual assault survivors and also improve community response to sexual assault.
What is a SAFE/FRE?
A Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) is a medical exam to collect & preserve DNA evidence from a sexual assault. These are also often referred to as a Forensic Rape Exam (FRE) or a Rape Kit. Trained medical providers at our SAFE Centers conduct these exams & can treat injuries as well as prescribe medications to prevent pregnancies or STI’s. This exam & relevant medical care can be billed to the Office of Victim Services at no cost to you.
We encourage people who have been sexually assaulted to visit one of our SAFE centers as soon as possible within 96 hours from the assault. We also suggest you do not shower, bathe, eat, or drink until the exam can be completed. However, even if you do one or several of these activities, you are still eligible for the exam.
We encourage people who have been sexually assaulted to visit one of our SAFE centers as soon as possible within 96 hours from the assault. We also suggest you do not shower, bathe, eat, or drink until the exam can be completed. However, even if you do one or several of these activities, you are still eligible for the exam.
What should I expect?
During the exam, you can expect the process to generally follow this outline. However, you are allowed to pause or skip steps at any point.
Injuries That Need Immediate Attention – Injuries that need immediate attention will be taken care of first.
History – You will be asked about your medical history, such as current medications or preexisting conditions. You also will be asked some questions which may seem personal, such as your recent sexual activity and details about the assault. This will help your SAFE provider identify where evidence could be located.
Full Body Examination – Based on the details you gave your provider; this may not be an entire body examination & instead focus on relevant areas. You are allowed to decline any portion of this examination. This examination may include examining & taking samples of areas such as the mouth, nose, vagina, or anus. With your permission, your SAFE provider may take photos of the injured areas for evidence or collect your clothes for further DNA collection.
Follow Up – Your provider may prescribe medications to prevent pregnancies or STI’s. You also may be scheduled for a follow-up appointment if necessary. In addition to this, you will receive information about reporting options.
Injuries That Need Immediate Attention – Injuries that need immediate attention will be taken care of first.
History – You will be asked about your medical history, such as current medications or preexisting conditions. You also will be asked some questions which may seem personal, such as your recent sexual activity and details about the assault. This will help your SAFE provider identify where evidence could be located.
Full Body Examination – Based on the details you gave your provider; this may not be an entire body examination & instead focus on relevant areas. You are allowed to decline any portion of this examination. This examination may include examining & taking samples of areas such as the mouth, nose, vagina, or anus. With your permission, your SAFE provider may take photos of the injured areas for evidence or collect your clothes for further DNA collection.
Follow Up – Your provider may prescribe medications to prevent pregnancies or STI’s. You also may be scheduled for a follow-up appointment if necessary. In addition to this, you will receive information about reporting options.
Program Goals
- Provide timely, compassionate, patient-centered care in private settings
- Provide emotional support and works to reduce further trauma to the patient.
- Provide quality care to sexual assault survivors, including evaluation, treatment, referral, and follow-up.
- Ensure quality of collection, documentation, preservation, and custody of physical evidence
- Utilize an interdisciplinary approach by working many disciplines to effectively meet the needs of sexual assault survivors and the community
- Provide expert testimony when needed, if patients choose to report crimes to law enforcement
SAFE Centers
At our SAFE centers, our providers treat sexual assault survivors with dignity and compassion. Each have received specialized medical training to help survivors receive the best care possible.
SAFE Provider Training
In accordance with the SAFE standards established by the DOH, a forty hour didactic and clinical training course must be provided to individual examiners through a training program approved by the New York State Department of Health. Training programs must meet set requirements and enter into a formal agreement with the Department. At least one faculty member must be an active DOH-certified SAFE examiner. For further details about the requirements and training needed to become a SAFE Provider, click here.
Our Victim Advocacy Partners
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Each sexual assault survivor receives a victim advocate to help them through the process and to better understand the system. The Salvation Army serves survivors in Chautauqua County and Connecting Communities in Action serves survivors in Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties.
