Our History

What began as a small, grassroots program in 1977, has become the largest and most comprehensive hospital-based victim treatment center in New York State. Since our inception we have been at the forefront of medical and forensic care for victims of violence helping to develop standards of care in hospitals for sexual assault, treatment protocols, evidence collection, and after-care support services.

CVTC was instrumental in the development of the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) Program, which ensured trained advocates became an integral part of the treatment that survivors received in the emergency room. St. Luke's-Roosevelt was one of the first hospitals in New York City to implement the SAFE Program in 1997 and is considered a Center of Excellence.

CVTC was also the first in New York City to address the problem of male sexual assault by recruiting and training male rape crisis advocates.