The DOH-approved Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) program is a collaborative effort involving hospital-based SAFE programs, rape crisis centers, law enforcement, prosecutors' offices and other appropriate service agencies. These organizations provide a coordinated response to meet the needs of sexual assault survivors and also improve community response to sexual assault.
Each SAFE program is required to have specially trained examiners certified by the Department of Health and credentialed according to the individual institution's procedures to provide forensic examination to sexual assault victims in accordance with Section 2805-I of Article 28 of Public Health Law. The DOH will also re-certify sexual assault forensic examiners every three years.
Key Tenets of the SAFE program:
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.
SAFE Centers of Excellence
The Department of Health is required to designate SAFE 24-hour Centers of Excellence in urban, suburban and rural areas of the state to give as many state residents as possible ready access to SAFE programs. Applications from any general hospital licensed under Article 28 with an emergency department are considered. Hospitals with existing programs must apply for Department of Health designation as a SAFE Center of Excellence. Hospitals are required to provide a private room in or near the emergency department with access to a shower and accessible for the disabled. There are also reporting and equipment requirements for hospital programs.
Each SAFE program is required to have specially trained examiners certified by the Department of Health and credentialed according to the individual institution's procedures to provide forensic examination to sexual assault victims in accordance with Section 2805-I of Article 28 of Public Health Law. The DOH will also re-certify sexual assault forensic examiners every three years.
Key Tenets of the SAFE program:
- Provides timely, compassionate, patient-centered care in private settings that provide emotional support and reduces further trauma to the patient.
- Provides quality care to patients who report sexual assault, including evaluation, treatment, referral and follow-up.
- Ensures the quality of collection, documentation, preservation and custody of physical evidence by utilizing a trained and New York State Department of Health (DOH) - certified sexual assault forensic examiner to perform exams.
- Utilizes an interdisciplinary approach by working with rape crisis centers and other service providers, law enforcement and prosecutors' offices to effectively meet the needs of sexual assault victims and the community.
- Provides expert testimony when needed if patients choose to report crimes to law enforcement; and
- Improves and standardizes data regarding the incidence of sexual assault victims seeking treatment in hospital emergency departments.
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.
SAFE Centers of Excellence
The Department of Health is required to designate SAFE 24-hour Centers of Excellence in urban, suburban and rural areas of the state to give as many state residents as possible ready access to SAFE programs. Applications from any general hospital licensed under Article 28 with an emergency department are considered. Hospitals with existing programs must apply for Department of Health designation as a SAFE Center of Excellence. Hospitals are required to provide a private room in or near the emergency department with access to a shower and accessible for the disabled. There are also reporting and equipment requirements for hospital programs.