The Lieutenant Governor and First Lady Were Joined by Secretary of Health Laura Herrera Scott and Secretary of Human Services Rafael López to Highlight Services for Survivors of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking
BALTIMORE, MD – Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller, First Lady Dawn Moore, Secretary of Health Laura Herrera Scott, and Secretary of Human Services Rafael López visited the Greater Baltimore Medical Center yesterday to highlight the critical work of the
Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) and Domestic Violence (DV) program. The SAFE program at GBMC provides comprehensive care to survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking free of cost to patients.
“The SAFE facility at GBMC is the region's most comprehensive sexual assault and domestic violence center, offering round-the-clock care for survivors and their children,"
said Lt. Gov. Miller. “The Moore-Miller administration has made funding programs that provide support to survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence a priority in our budget, and we are grateful for the partnership of programs like SAFE at GMBC, which provides quality and comprehensive care to Marylanders free of charge."
The Sexual Assault Forensic Examination and Domestic Violence Program at GBMC employs a staff of Forensic Nurse Examiners specially trained to care for victims of sexual assault, rape, child abuse, domestic/intimate partner violence. The program treats victims of all ages in a confidential setting and provides support for survivors from the hospital to the courtroom, such as pro bono representation and advocacy.
“I want to thank the healthcare workers at GBMC and the SAFE program for being a model on how to respond to a crisis with compassion, providing Marylanders the care they deserve," said
First Lady Moore. “The work being done at GBMC is critical for survivors and I am proud to support this program in Maryland."
“We support the important work that the healthcare workers at GBMC are doing to help survivors of sexual assault, domestic and other forms of violence in our society,"
said Secretary of Health Herrera Scott.
The Moore-Miller Administration's FY 24 Budget includes significant funding in resources for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, including $3.5 million for the Rape Kit Testing Grant Fund, which provides funding for sexual assault forensic examinations. The budget also provides $8.3 million in general funds for a variety of community-based programs for women, including include domestic violence programs, rape crisis centers, crime victim's services, and services for homeless women and children.
“Survivors of sexual assault deserve and expect access to world class medical care and services. GBMC's state of the art facilities continue to be an asset to the Baltimore County community. We thank GBMC's partnership with Baltimore County and our Child Advocacy Center,"
said Department of Human Services Secretary Rafael López.
Anyone who needs the services of the sexual assault or domestic violence programs should call for help at (443) 849-3323, particularly if they are injured. Learn more about the GBMC
Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) and DV programs.