Name: Kristin
Organization: Mt Sinai Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention (SAVI) Program
I began volunteering as a SAVI advocate in late 2008. Some of my close friends are survivors, and their experiences motivated me to research volunteer programs working with victims of sexual assault. Mt. Sinai’s SAVI program happened to be looking for volunteers who lived in Queens to serve as advocates, and I jumped at the chance. The Mt. Sinai SAVI program offers free and confidential counseling, referral, and support services for survivors of sexual assault. Advocates respond to cases at eight different hospitals across Manhattan and Queens. The staff at SAVI are amazing, and have been a wonderful resource for advocates.
A typical day on call usually involves me obsessively checking my phone to make sure I haven’t missed any calls. On call shifts are 8:00AM-6:00PM on weekends or holidays, and 6:00PM-8:00AM for night shifts. Even after a year of volunteering, I cannot shake a bit of nerves while awaiting a call. Once called in, I contact a car service to bring me to the hospital. Upon arrival, I check in with the contact person, usually the charge nurse, and pick up a survivor packet. I then introduce myself to the survivor, and explain my role as a volunteer advocate. I stress the fact that my job is remain with them throughout their stay (if they choose to have me there), to listen, and to answer any questions they might have. It can take time for the survivor to feel comfortable, but often small talk turns into a serious discussion involving the assault, and we are there to support the survivor in moments of anger, helplessness, and doubt. Every case is different, some survivors are happy to have some company if they have come into the ED alone, others may appreciate having an advocate there to speak with co-survivors, and to help them through the medical examination process.
The ED is an incredibly busy and often confusing place for patients, and it can be helpful for a survivor to have a constant companion. The healthcare providers are focused on providing competent medical treatment, and should police officers be called to the hospital, they are responsible for conducting an interview and investigation in a sensitive manner. As an advocate, it is my job to present the survivor with his or her rights in regards to medical care and legal options, and I often serve as a go between the doctors, nurses, law enforcement officials and the survivor. I always make sure the survivor is 100% comfortable and informed before proceeding with any medical procedure or legal actions as this is an important step in empowering the survivor and re-establishing control in an otherwise overwhelming situation.
Generally speaking, we are at the hospital for a minimum of three hours. Before the survivor is discharged, we discuss he or she would like to apply for Crime Victims Board assistance, if they are safe going home, and whether they feel comfortable having someone from SAVI contact them in regards to counseling and support services. Prior to becoming an advocate, I didn’t realize how involved and attached you would become to a survivor after only being with them for 4-8 hours. It is difficult to send a person on his or her way after being with them during such a traumatic time, but I take comfort in the fact that once my job as an advocate ends, there are SAVI counselors ready to support the survivor in the recovery process.
For anyone interested in becoming a volunteer advocate, I recommend that you research any programs in your area, and your ability to commit yourself 100% to volunteering both in terms of time commitment and emotional commitment, as it can be draining. You are there to support a stranger in an incredibly private and difficult time, and it is such a rewarding experience.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a SAVI volunteer, please call (212) 423-2140.
