Sexual Assault and Crime Victims Assistance Program at SPHP

The Sexual Assault and Crime Victims Assistance Program for Rensselaer County is committed to reducing the trauma of sexual assault, crime, and violence, as well as providing community education for its prevention. We are dedicated to creating a supportive, caring environment for victims/ survivors and their families to enhance the healing process.

In existence since 1979, The Sexual Assault and Crime Victims Assistance Program is the only agency in the county providing comprehensive, specialized services to victims of sexual violence, victims of stalking, older adults, homicide survivors, as well as other victims of crime, their family members and friends, or significant others.

What happened to you or your loved one was not your/their fault, and you do not have to go through it alone.

• Contact and Locations
• Forensic Nurse Examiner Program
• Services
• Volunteer 
• Donate your Cell Phone
• Facts About Crime
• Resources

Our services are free and confidential and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and are provided to females and males, both children and adults, without regard to race, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or physical ability.

• Short Term Counseling - A counselor will work with you (individuals, couples, families, friends, and significant others) as you begin to sort out your feelings and regain control over your life.
• Sexual Assault Support Group - We offer free support groups facilitated by Certified Sexual Assault Counselors on various topics.
• Therapy - Services of therapists are available free of charge to victims of sexual assault and crime.
• Medical Accompaniment and Advocacy - Advocates are available to meet survivors at a hospital, clinic, or private physician's office to provide emotional support and information about medical procedures.
• Legal Accompaniment and Advocacy - We provide information and support regarding the legal system, and accompaniment to police and court procedures if the crime is reported.
• Forensic Nurse Examiner Program - Health care professionals, who have undergone a specialized forensic training, coordinate efforts with law enforcement, healthcare, and sexual assault/crime victim professionals in order to provide immediate, dignified, and compassionate treatment for the victim/survivor while ensuring timely, accurate collection of forensic evidence.
• Senior Crime Victim Program - Provides assistance and support to older victims of crime: physical, sexual and emotional abuse, finical exploitation, fraud, neglect and abandonment.
• Information and Referrals - Prevention information is available to help reduce revictimization, and referrals for services not provided by our program can be made to assist you.
• Crime Victims Compensation - Victims of crime receive information and assistance with the NYS Crime Victim's Board compensations claims, and may receive monetary compensation for stolen property and lost wages, counseling, medical bills, funeral expenses, etc.
• Community and Professional Education - Speakers are available to make presentations on various topics, and we provide training for allied professionals