At NYSCASA we are always looking for new ways to fufill our mission. Our programs are constantly being reviewed and revised. Below you will find brief introductions for each of our programs.

Mental Health

NYSCASA works statewide to establish and support task forces specifically aimed at improving mental health services for survivors of sexual trauma. We advocate linking mental health and Rape Crisis Program professionals with county-wide service providers.

The Building Connections Project provides cross-disciplinary training to professionals and survivor advocates. The program offers opportunities for individuals to promote survivor-centered trauma-informed resources.

DNA Initiative

NYSCASA works with the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault to increase the awareness of DNA, DNA evidence identification, collection, preservation, and how DNA can be used across multidisciplinary professions to improve case preparation and increase successful prosecutions in New York State. This grant from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services will also allow us to train and certify 290 more Sexual Assault Examiners in New York State in 2008-09.

Public Policy

The public policy program provides sexual assault advocates with a unified voice to end all forms of sexual violence. NYSCASA collaborates on the state level to analyze bills, policies and legislation for their impact on sexual assault survivors, to secure funding for Rape Crisis Programs, to improve access to criminal and civil justice systems, and to enhance the overall response to sexual violence.

New York State Victim Assistance Academy

The NYSVAA offers education and training on victim’s rights and services to crime victim service providers. The basic week-long Academy is offered annually and provides a foundation in case management, types of crimes, vulnerable populations, federal and state justice systems, mental health, and self-care.

Advanced Institutes offer one and a half days of intense study on specific topics such as Management and Supervision in Crime Victim Services.

Resource Library

NYSCASA’s extensive Resource Library gives our members access to CDs, DVDs, books, curricula and myriad other resources. NYSCASA is dedicated to finding resources that address topics of primary prevention, sexual violence and survivor advocacy from multicultural perspectives.

Support to New York’s Rape Crisis Programs

NYSCASA’s Rape Crisis Training Institutes provide quality training and education to over 75 Rape Crisis Programs in New York State. These educational institutes, funded by a grant from the Department of Health, have presented programs in “Alcohol: The Drug of Choice in Drug Facilitated Rape”, “Engaging Men in Ending Sexual Violence”, and many other topics that support the work of New York State’s Rape Crisis Programs in Ending Sexual Violence.

NYSCASA provides webinars, teleconferences, print and electronic resources, primary prevention materials, and access to our Resource Library in order to provide Rape Crisis Programs with the most current materials in the field.

Criminal Justice Collaboration Program

NYSCASA’s Criminal Justice Collaboration project includes a Legal Advocacy program and a Sexual Assault Examiners (SAE / SAFE / SANE) program. These projects provide technical assistance to Rape Crisis Programs, law enforcement, survivors, and allies surrounding the criminal justice system in an effort to ensure victim safety and to make sure  steps are taken within the criminal justice system to protect and support a Sexual Assault survivor.

It is one of the goals of The Criminal Justice Collaboration Project to foster the formation of collaborative Sexual Assault Response Teams–SARTs.

Sexual Assault Examiners
Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners

The SAE/SAFE programs are comprised of specially trained medical professionals. These professionals are available at many health care facilities in an effort to effectively provide compassionate, knowledgeable assistance to the victim of a sexual assault. These professionals will provide a forensic evidence collection exam, if desired by the victim.

NYSCASA’s SAE project provides resources, support and training to program providers.

NYSCASA also houses the New York chapter office of the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN).

Outreach

NYSCASA builds collaborations within New York State and across the nation to improve services for survivors of sexual assault and their allies. Through these interdisciplinary connections, NYSCASA also works to increase access to services for many underserved and underrepresented constituencies, including youth, people with disabilities, the elderly, the LGBT community, immigrants, and people of color.

To further Outreach goals, NYSCASA offers events, trainings, and presentations that address issues central to understanding and ending sexual violence.