Lt. Gov. Miller And First Lady Dawn Moore Tour Towson's Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Program, Highlight Increased Funding To Help Survivors

TOWSON - On Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller and Maryland's first lady, Dawn Moore, toured the Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) Program at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center in Towson.

Both the Lt. Gov. and the first lady were impressed with the quality of care at the facility.

"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," Miller said.

"The work being done at GBMC is critical for survivors, and I am proud to support this program in Maryland," Moore added.

The program uses a team of specially trained nurse examiners to care for sexual assault survivors. Nurses at SAFE perform detailed medical-forensic examinations and documentation and collect forensic evidence to be submitted to the Baltimore County Police Department Crime Lab.

GBMC has run the program for over 15 years, and its services are free day and night.

The visit was used to highlight increased funding for resources for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence. The Moore-Miller Administration's FY 24 Budget includes $3.5 million for the Rape Kit Testing Grant Fund and $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.

"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," Miller said.

Maryland Secretary of Health, Herrera Scott, said that SAFE's state-of-the-art facilities continue to be an asset to the Baltimore County community and that the State government looks forward to supporting the program in the future.

Anyone who needs the services of the sexual assault or domestic violence programs should call for help at (443) 849-3323, particularly if injured. You can learn more about the GBMC Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE) and DV programs here.