From left: Amanda Burden, Training and Outreach Supervisor, SAVI, volunteer Latoya Bennett, and Silva Sergenian, MA, Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Program and Volunteer Coordinator.
At an informational table in Guggenheim Pavilion, Mount Sinai’s Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Program (SAVI) in April educated visitors about the community outreach and educational programming it provides. For more than 30 years, SAVI has offered free, confidential therapy and advocacy to survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence (IPV). Recent funding from the New York State Department of Health has expanded SAVI’s capacity to offer free workshops at community centers, schools, higher educational institutions, corporations, and organizations to increase awareness and strengthen best practices concerning prevention of sexual assault and IPV. SAVI has more than 150 active volunteers on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, who support survivors’ medical and police reporting options in the emergency room. The gender-inclusive volunteer program is currently recruiting through the end of September. Those interested should email savi@mssm.edu.