By Nikki Copas, WMC Health

Oct. 20, 2026: Westchester Medical Center’s Sexual Assault and Crime Victims Advocacy (SAAVE) Program in partnership with Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins and the Westchester County Office for Women, today announced the launch of a 24/7 hotline connecting victims of crime including domestic violence and sexual assault with immediate crisis intervention, advocacy and trauma-informed support. The free, confidential hotline is available at 1-833-220-2444 in English and Spanish, with interpretation services in more than 240 languages.

“Patients and community members experiencing sexual and domestic violence need immediate access to compassionate, expert support,” said David Lubarsky, MD, Chief Executive Officer of WMCHealth. “This hotline connects victims with trained advocates 24 hours a day, wherever and whenever they need help. We extend our deepest thanks to Westchester County officials and the Office for Women for their continued partnership and investment in these life-saving resources and the victim-centered care team at SAAVE.”

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said, “We are fortunate in Westchester County to have such a strong, committed community partner in WMCHealth for victim-survivors of domestic violence. This hotline makes it possible for our residents, when they are in the most critical time of need, to get help in real time. It is another of example of how Westchester County is in the forefront of protecting those who suffer from the painful reality of domestic violence.”

SAAVE provides crisis intervention and advocacy services to victims of crime including sexual assault, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, human trafficking, harassment, and stalking. This new hotline expands on the services provided by SAAVE’s Bilingual Rape Crisis hotline, which has supported Westchester County residents with free, confidential, trauma-informed care since 2018.

“One call can connect a survivor with a trained advocate who will listen, help assess immediate needs and provide personalized support and safety planning,” said Licia Sandberg, Director of WMCHealth’s SAAVE Program. “This first-of-it-kind, county-wide hotline makes that trauma-informed assistance available around the clock to more people across Westchester County. We are grateful to Westchester County and our local partners for their support in expanding these critical services to our community members.”

SAAVE also operates the Domestic Violence High Risk Team (DVHRT) Lethality Assessment Program (LAP), a 24/7 hotline local law enforcement uses to connect victims in high-risk and potentially lethal environments with 40+ specially trained advocates. Since its creation in 2019, the LAP line has taken over 5,000 calls and provided close to one million hours of specialized safety planning with domestic violence victims.

SAAVE has become a critical safety net for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, offering trauma-informed care, emergency intervention, and a path to recovery. The program includes 30 volunteer advocates and seven staff members, who provide compassionate care to the community 365 days a year. SAAVE also provides community education, professional training, short- and long-term mental health services, crime victims compensation, and medical and legal referrals or accompaniment.