training institute

The Alliance’s signature training program Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Training Institute (SAFETI) is the largest New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH)-certified training program for licensed emergency department and medical professionals in New York State. SAFETI is a training program based in New York City that is open to all licensed doctors, registered nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. The SAFE Training Institute trains staff of organizations aiming to improve their services for survivors of sexual assault. We are the only organization to offer a pediatrics course in NYC. The Alliance also develops and provides tailored trainings for a variety of human service organizations who wish to address the issue of sexual violence.

Examples of requested trainings:

• Vicarious Trauma and Self-Care
• The Neurobiology of Trauma
• Trauma-Informed Care
• Sexual Violence and Acute Care Treatment

Become a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner: 40-hour Adult/Adolescent Course
The objectives of this course address the development of skillful assessment techniques, thorough understanding of the dynamics of rape and intimate partner violence, and the mechanics of injury which provide a solid foundation for working with survivors. This course combines the knowledge and expertise of a nationally and internationally recognized faculty with a variety of educational methods to give participants the maximum opportunity for professional growth in this advanced practice role. Learn more by clicking the link above.

Upon completion of all course requirements, course participants will be able to use the Certificate of Completion for certification purposes as SAFENY with NYS DOH.

SAFE TeleSAFE / Telemedicine Seminar

Free monthly sexual assault forensic examiner (SAFE) expert seminar series.

This seminar, Nancy Harris, NP, will present on this innovative telemedicine program designed to provide comprehensive care twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, to victims of sexual assault or abuse who are taken to hospitals that do not have their own SAFE program or lack capacity. This presenter will discuss:

• What TeleSAFE is and how it works
• The program’s history and unprecedented growth in 2023
• TeleSAFE in hospitals with no SAFE nurses
• How TeleSAFE complements an existing SAFE program
• How to bring TeleSAFE to your community

There will be a Q&A at the end of the training.

The Alliance’s trainings and technical assistance initiative support the efforts of rape crisis programs, practitioners, schools, community organizations and non-traditional partners, including bars, nightlife establishments, transportation services, in sexual violence prevention and response. Having served as a formal  New York State Center of Excellence in Sexual Assault Prevention (COEs), we use a well-formed technical assistance methodology and have the successful track record required to guide thoughtful prevention programs in multiple settings.   Our Training and Technical Assistance staff works closely with programs on an individual level to provide customized training,  policy and programming advice, needs assessments, and educational opportunities. We also work regionally and at state level to increase the representation of the needs and rights of survivors, the programs that serve them, and the communities most affected by sexual violence through technical assistance, training and advocacy.   We provide educational resources, such as toolkits and webinars, designed to increase skills and knowledge of survivors, providers, policymakers and the general public about trends and needs related to innovative programs and best practices in sexual violence prevention and response.

Examples of requested training topics:

• Consent
• Sexual Violence Prevention on College Campuses
• Bystander Engagement
• Preventing Sexual Violence in Nightlife Spaces
• Engaging Men in Sexual Violence Prevention

OutSmartNYC began in 2008 as a multi-disciplinary citywide effort and has evolved into a grassroots collective of hospitality operators, staff, patrons, and educators, organizing to prevent and end sexual violence in New York City’s nightlife industry. The goal is to combat sexual violence in nightlife spaces and promote a fun, sex-positive nightlife culture where both patrons and staff of any establishment feel safe to connect in positive, exciting and healthy ways. A dedicated membership of nightlife staff, stakeholders and advocates work tirelessly to accomplish this goal through community outreach and engagement, membership recruitment, and training nightlife establishments across NYC. Members of this initiative include The Alliance, Crime Victims Treatment Center, and Mount Sinai Beth Israel.

OutSmartNYC’s goals are to:

• Promote coalition building
• Provide community education
• Participate in policy education and change

To learn more about OutSmartNYC and to request a training, visit the OutSmartNYC website and scroll down:

The Alliance’s prevention and community mobilization programs encompass the work we do to develop sustainable community-based interventions to prevent sexual violence. This includes building the capacity of individuals, organizations, and institutions to analyze the impact of sexual violence and providing them with the skills to develop interventions that best fit the needs of their community.

The Alliance was among the organizations whose voices informed the writing and passage of New York State’s Enough is Enough legislation, which provides guidelines to institutions of higher education statewide in their treatment of the problem of sexual violence. As a part of this effort, the Alliance launched the Campus Training Institute (CTI), a training program designed to meet the requirements of critical federal and state legislations while helping colleges and universities address sexual violence among students, staff and faculty from an intersectional and trauma-informed perspective.We assist schools with their onboarding and ongoing educational training efforts on a wide range of topics including the causes and effects of sexual violence, consent, and bystander engagement.

Examples of requested trainings:

• Title IX Coordinator Training
• Causes and Effects of Sexual Violence
• Bystander Intervention
• Engaging Greek Life and Athletics
• Sex, Sexuality, and Consent Communication

Our Training Coordinator, Crystal Ward, is offering 3 new trainings with more to come shortly! If you’re interested in having Crystal train your organization or program, contact her at crystal@svfreenyc.org.

• Sexual Assault 101, April 6 –
  Why take Sexual Assault 101 training? Sexual violence is a public health problem that impacts lifelong health, opportunity and wellbeing. Sexual Violence impacts every community and affects people of all genders, sexual orientations, and ages. Community based organizations are charged with the responsibility to meet the needs of their neighborhoods. Whether it is a co-worker or client, it is important for all organizations to be educated and equipped with information to recognize, make referrals, or provide appropriate intervention when sexual violence does occur.The training covers: What is sexual assault? The myths, consent, and who are the victims and offenders? The different types of sexual assault; The psychological and physical symptoms of trauma; Rape culture and victim blaming; Why some victims choose not to report the assault; Objectification of women; Attributions influenced by biases; and the link between pornography and sexual violence, what do the studies say?

• Understanding & Effectively Communicating with Survivors of Trauma (for CBOs), April 20 –
  The training cover topics such as the basic of what trauma is In addition, you’ll be learning about the effects of trauma, how to be trauma-informed, vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, burnout, how to maintain professional boundaries and the importance of self-care. This workshop trains Community Based Organizations on how not only to be trauma-informed, but also trauma-responsive, trauma-sensitive and trauma-aware.

• Understanding Commercial Sexual Exploitation OF Children (CSEC), May 11 –
  The training covers questions like: What is the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children? How does a child become a victim? Who are the offenders? We’ll discuss the emotional, psychological, social, physical, and spiritual impact of CSEC. We’ll also explore the potential indicators of trafficking and exploitation, the statistics, trauma bonding, and the role the media plays in their selective reporting.

Interested in a specialized training tailored to the needs of your organization or community? Complete the training request form, below, with detailed information and we will respond to your request quickly!