We have an entire team of compassionate and highly skilled social workers at MSBI dedicated to working with victims of violence and abuse. They partner closely with our emergency department and do a great job of helping victims find the courage to speak up and giving them the support to heal. They regularly receive profoundly moving notes of gratitude from these patients. One patient recently said this about Merritt Stewart, LCSW:
“You never tried to sugarcoat my pain, and I always felt like you were in the trenches right alongside with me…Most importantly, I always felt like you had my back and you never once made any judgments.”
Click below to see photos of this team and our volunteers.
They’ve also done an incredible job of building and supporting an exceptional community of advocates who provide support, counseling, information, and advocacy to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence in the ED after hours on weekdays and all day and night on weekends. Our victim services program recruits volunteers each fall and conducts a 40-hour Department of Health approved training that prepares each advocate for this vital work. These advocates are selfless members of our caring community and role models for us all.
Just this week, a brand new group of advocates completed their training and will begin counseling.
In 2018 alone, the volunteers worked with 97 survivors of sexual assault and 47 survivors of domestic violence at MSBI. Last year, the MSBI Victim Services social workers provided 1176 therapy sessions and helped with 128 instances of criminal justice advocacy. Their impact is unbelievable.
We are blessed to have these wonderful colleagues and advocates as members of our MSBI community.
In 2018 alone, the volunteers worked with 97 survivors of sexual assault and 47 survivors of domestic violence at MSBI. Last year, the MSBI Victim Services social workers provided 1176 therapy sessions and helped with 128 instances of criminal justice advocacy. Their impact is unbelievable.
We are blessed to have these wonderful colleagues and advocates as members of our MSBI community.