SAVI

Every hour 75 women in the United States will be raped.......

This is why an organization called SAVI (Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention) is so important. They offer support, advice, options, counseling, and advocates to women and men at their most vulnerable.

Today, we "graduated" as advocates after 40 hours of intense training. We are on the front lines of all sexual assault and Intimate Partner Violence cases that are admitted to New York City area hospitals. It is an incredible human responsibility to help others at at such a raw and vunlnerable time in their lives. We were educated in legal, medical, emotional, technical, psychological, and physical issues that arise in the survivor's life. We have to be mindful of the minute details of both ourselves and the survivors, which can include tone of voice, facial expressions, vocabulary, and physical movements. Every step we take and word we speak can have a dramatic impact on the survivor, which is why this training has been so grueling. We also have to give our full support to the survivor, knowing they will most likely drop charges & return to their abusers.

Here are some unsettling facts:

*1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys will experience sexual assault in their lifetime
*more than 80% of rapes are committed by someone the survivor knows
*alcohol is the leading drug that is involved in Sexual Assault cases
*until 1993, it was impossible to rape your wife. She was your property. There was no such thing as martial rape.
*the traditional wedding vows were stated in the trade of women as property to a male
*on average it takes 7 tries before a survivor leaves their abuser
*victims of domestic violence are 80% more likely to be murdered by their lover in the 6 months following their escape

If you would like more information please email us or check out the following link:
http://www.mountsinai.org/patient-care/service-areas/community-medicine/areas-of-care/sexual-assault-and-violence-intervention-program

If you or someone you know is struggling with trauma following a sexual attack:Safe Horizon's Rape, Sexual Assault & Incest Hotline 212.227.3000
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence: Safe Horizon's Domestic Violence Hotline 800.621.HOPE (4673)
*all phone calls can be both anonymous and confidential*

Tonight we celebrate Halloween and our graduation with prosecco and candy corn. We hope everyone has a safe night!