About SAFE-TI
SAFE-TI works to ensure that all survivors receive the compassionate, sensitive care that they need and deserve. The program trains healthcare professionals to provide post-assault medical and forensic care to adults, adolescents, and children. This includes a 40-hour Adult/Adolescent Course accredited by New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) and International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN), and a 40-hour Pediatric Course accredited by IAFN. SAFE-TI also provides continuing education opportunities through webinars, seminars, and a Mock Trial skills building course.
SAFE-TI is open to New York State-licensed physicians, physician assistants, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and staff of organizations committed to providing patients who have experienced sexual violence with trauma-informed care.
As each course only has 18 available seats, we prioritize training healthcare professionals currently working at an Emergency Department of a New York City hospital with an active SAFE program and at a hospital where they can receive preceptorship on-site. However, a few openings are reserved in each course for individuals who are not currently in an emergency department but are seeking to become a SAFE Exam Practitioner and are committed to providing patient-centered, trauma-informed medical care to patients that have experienced sexual assault.
How We Work With Medical Professionals
SAFE-TI delivers two courses that train medical professionals to competently perform Sexual Assault Forensic Exams (SAFE Exams), as well as continuing education opportunities:
Adult/Adolescent Course
Our 40-hour Adult/Adolescent Course is accredited by New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) and International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN). This course educates medical professionals on providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive care to adults and adolescents who have experienced sexual violence and is a pre-requisite for completing the Pediatric Course.
Sessions are delivered through a hybrid model and use a learner-paced virtual classroom. There is a pre-course work feature that opens in advance of the live-lecture portion and consists of fourteen learner-paced online modules. Completion of Pre-Course Content, Live Lectures, and a Clinical Day are required for successful award of a course certificate and 43 Contact Hours.
The first day of live lectures are held in-person and the remaining two lecture days are held on Zoom. The Clinical Day takes place at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, located in Bronx, New York. Participants should plan to be available from 8:00am to 6:00pm for all four days of the course. The Clinical Day is a special learning opportunity working with a Gynecological Teaching Associate (GTA) to practice live pelvic exams.
Professionals who work outside of New York State, or who have not completed their medical training (residents) are ineligible* for the Adult/Adolescent Course.
*Medical residents should inquire about training with the Crime Victims Treatment Center. More information can be found on their website here.
Pediatric Course
Our 40-hour Pediatric Course is accredited by IAFN and educates medical professionals on providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive care to children who have experienced sexual violence. The Pediatric course is delivered entirely online with three days of lectures on Zoom. There is no clinical day component.
Professionals who have not completed an Adult/Adolescent SAFE training, who live outside of New York State, or who have not completed their medical training (residents) are ineligible for the Pediatric Course.
Continuing Education
We also hold regular Continuing Education courses and webinars, which allow SAFE Examiners to enhance their skillset in meeting the needs of patients who have experienced sexual violence. This includes 4 seminars each year and a Mock Trial Skills-Building Course, which combines the knowledge of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office along with expert sexual assault examiners where participants learn about the legal proceedings of court testimony.
Please note: The Alliance does not help healthcare professionals connect to hospitals or find employment opportunities as a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner.
Our Impact
“SAFE Training has been instrumental in helping our nurses to better connect with patients, a crucial aspect of their role in providing care at RUMC. At RUMC, the training equips our ED nurses with the necessary tools and knowledge to approach care. Our ultimate goal is not just to increase the number of certified nurses but to ensure that each one of them can confidently and competently provide the care our patients need.”
– Isa-ngozi Shoneyin, MSN, WHNP, SANE-A, SANE-P, NYSAFE-P, Forensic Nurse Care Coordinator, Emergency Department, Richmond University Medical Center
“I think in the amount of time given and the amount of work/teaching/learning that was accomplished in that allotted time, I would be hard pressed to say anything could be improved. This class was tailored to adult learners with busy schedules and took into consideration our various work/life responsibilities. The topics presented were well rounded, applicable and contained elements important to the role. Kudos to the course organizers. I am truly grateful to have been chosen to participate.”
– Paris Ayana Dattilo
“Not only has the program equipped these nurses with the essential knowledge and skills needed to be effective Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners, but it has also fostered greater empathy, enabling them to serve as more compassionate and understanding providers for this vulnerable population.”
– Vanita Morris MSN, RN, NE-BC, CEN, TCRN, Nurse Manager, Emergency Department & CPU, NYU Langone Health, NYU Langone Hospital – Long Island
Get Involved
To learn more about SAFE-TI or to request training, please contact our SAFE-TI Coordinator Carolyn El Serafi, LMSW. 
Upcoming Training Dates:
Adult/Adolescent SAFE Courses
- July 15th-17th; 23rd
- November 4th-6th
Join the waitlist for our 2025 Adult SAFE Course Series.
Pediatric SAFE Course
- June 10th-12th
- October 7th-9th
Join the waitlist for our 2025 Pediatric SAFE Course Series
Webinars
- September 9th: Implicit Bias & Developing Culturally Responsive Patient Care
- December 9th: Non-Fatal Strangulation: Symptoms, Health Impacts, and Effective Care
