Sexual Assault & Crime Victims Assistance Program at Samaritan Hospital to Expand
The Sexual Assault & Crime Victims Assistance Program (SACVAP) for Rensselaer County at Samaritan Hospital has announced it will expand its services with the addition of several new services sites located at Troy Housing Authority (THA) apartment complexes.
The SACVAP provides comprehensive, specialized services to victims or survivors of crime – including rape, sexual assault, child molestation, elder abuse or exploitation. The program offers short-term counseling, long-term therapy, support groups, accompaniment and advocacy to victims and their families and friends, as well as education, prevention, and crisis care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All services are free and confidential.
“Crimes happen every day – to women and men of any age, physical ability, class, race, or background, and often, victims do not seek help, or even know support services exist,” said Norman E. Dascher, Jr., chief executive officer of Samaritan and St. Mary’s hospitals, and vice president of Acute Care – Troy, St. Peter’s Health Partners. “We are the only program in Rensselaer County to provide specialized services to help victims of crime and violence. It is our role as care providers and part of our mission as the region’s leading health system, to help reach underserved populations in the community.”
“This partnership will bring a wide range of important services right into our neighborhoods,” said Troy Housing Authority Executive Secretary Daniel P. Crawley. “By making these programs easily accessible, more victims and survivors will be able to receive the support they need, and more of our residents and neighbors will be better educated in crime prevention.”
The expansion will add three new branch offices to THA apartment locations in an effort to enhance access to services, and meet the needs of underserved populations. Services will now be available at:
- Arnold Fallon Apartments on River Street – Tuesdays 9 am – 12 pm
- Griswold Heights on Project Road – Tuesdays 1 – 5 pm
- Corliss Park on Corliss Park Road – Thursdays 10 am – 2 pm
“We are pleased to work in collaboration with the Troy Housing Authority to bring our services to these new locations,” said Lindsey Crusan, director of SACVAP. “Crimes, and sexual violence especially, can be very traumatic for the survivor and their friends and family members. We are confident that by offering convenient and easy access on-site, we will be better able to reach all those who may need our services but were unable to access them through our other locations.”
The SACVAP already has satellite offices or off-site services operating at the following locations:
- Troy Police Department
- Rensselaer County Courthouse
- Rensselaer County Probation Office
- The Sage Colleges
- Hudson Valley Community College
- YWCA of the Greater Capital Region
The Sexual Assault and Crime Victims Assistance at Samaritan Hospital is affiliated with St. Peter’s Health Partners – the region’s largest health system. For more information on SACVAP services or locations, please call 271-3639. SACVAP also offers a 24-hour hotline for individuals in need, please call (518) 271-3257.
