24/7 Hotline: (833)TEL-SAFE
Where We Started and Where We're Going
Mission, Vision, Values
TeleSAFE was launched in 2018 as an innovative response to a critical statewide need: ensuring timely, trauma‑informed, expert sexual assault forensic care for survivors across New York—particularly in rural and underserved regions where hospitals often lack access to trained Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFEs). From the beginning, the program was designed to strengthen and fortify local expertise: supporting medical providers, fortifying existing services, and tailoring to each community's needs. Above all, TeleSAFE exists to support survivors and the professionals who know their community best.
The program was co-founded by Nancy Harris, NP‑C, NYSAFE, SANE‑A, SANE‑P, a nationally recognized SAFE nurse and leader in sexual assault forensic practice, and Joe Vukovic, M.D. Their combined leadership, clinical expertise, and deep commitment to survivor‑centered care shaped the program’s beginning.
Early development was made possible through pilot funding from the New York State Department of Health (DOH), supported by Senator Kemp Hannon and Legislative Bill S 6947. Following a successful pilot, TeleSAFE expanded significantly with support from the New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS) through federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funds. Today, TeleSAFE serves nearly every region in New York State, accessible at no cost to all New York hospitals. The program adapts support to the needs of each hospital and community, always centering survivor care.
OUR MISSION
Promote healthy communities by advancing SAFE care together through community-centered support and partnership.
OUR VISON
A resilient future where every community and clinician is empowered; and every person has access to expert care to support their healing journey.
OUR CORE VALUES
- Compassion Is Radical
- Community Knows Best
- Partnership Multiplies Impact
- Healing Is Our Foundational Goal
- Growth Is a Journey
Meet Our Team
Leadership
Christine Kirk
Executive Director
Christine joined TeleSAFE in 2020 and brings nearly two decades of leadership experience to her role, with a career defined by a commitment to service and building a future where everyone has an equal opportunity to thrive. Her background spans the public, private, non-profit, and start-up sectors, providing her with a unique perspective on addressing complex challenges and driving systemic change.
As Executive Director, she successfully led the program through restructuring, expansion, and implementation, ultimately establishing it as a national leader in remote sexual assault examination support. She has a proven ability to build strong partnerships and navigate complex systems, improving patient access to care and outcomes.
Christine’s expertise includes strategic design, finance, and operations, and she has a unique talent for using data and thoughtful design to drive program development and innovation. Christine is also deeply invested in colleague development, fostering a culture of growth, and leading with humility, dignity, and compassion to create a more equitable world.
Tina Bates
BSN, RN, CCRN, SANE-A, SANE-P, NYSAFE, EMT
Nurse Supervisor
Tina is an experienced forensic nurse leader, educator, and clinician with nearly two decades of nursing experience and over ten years specializing in medical forensic care for survivors of violence. She has been a part of the TeleSAFE team since its beginning, and in her current role, provides clinical leadership and quality assurance for forensic nursing services delivered across New York State.
Tina has extensive expertise in adult, adolescent, and pediatric sexual assault examinations, strangulation assessment, trauma‑informed care, forensic documentation, evidence collection, and multidisciplinary collaboration within healthcare and legal systems. She has provided hundreds of medical forensic exams and has worked closely with multidisciplinary teams to ensure survivor‑centered, ethical, and evidence‑based care. Her practice is grounded in advocacy, clinical excellence, and a steadfast commitment to supporting survivors with dignity, compassion, and expertise.
In addition to her clinical work, Tina is a seasoned nurse educator and has developed, delivered, and maintained IAFN‑approved SANE training programs, competency labs, and continuing education for nurses, advanced practice providers, and physicians. She is a frequent presenter at regional and statewide conferences and is deeply committed to prevention education, community outreach, and professional development within forensic nursing.
Christi Waldron
Director of Partnership Development
Christi comes to TeleSAFE with nearly two decades of experience in the fields of healthcare and victim services. Her career has been dedicated to ensuring survivors have access to quality care after an assault. Christi began her work in 2005 as a counselor/advocate, later managing and overseeing partnerships that directly impact survivors of sexual violence. Christi has collaborated with hospitals, law enforcement, correctional facilities, colleges, and K-12 institutions to ensure compliance with industry best practices to improve outcomes for survivors.
Prior to joining TeleSAFE, Christi’s work included coordinating statewide trainings with the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NYSCASA) to optimize collaborations between advocacy centers and college campuses, among other types of organizations. Additionally, Christi has presented at national conferences on the importance of taking a multi-disciplinary team approach to building partnerships that best serve survivors. Christi believes TeleSAFE will help to expand access to quality care and bridge the gaps so that sexual assault survivors do not fall through the cracks.
Forensic Examiners
TeleSAFE’s team of experienced forensic examiner provides high-quality, trauma-informed services to sexual assault survivors across New York State. Our nurses have an average of 15 years’ experience practicing as forensic examiners. Each nurse is:
A Registered Nurse or Nurse Practitioner in New York State
Hired with a minimum of three years’ experience in the field of forensic nursing
New York State Department of Health NYSAFE-certified
Adult, adolescent, and pediatric trained
Committed to collaborating with fellow NYS providers through the forensic exam process
Partners and Sponsors
St. Peter’s Crime Victim Services operates TeleSAFE, which receives operational support funding through several grants, including but not limited to funding provided through the New York State Office of Victim Services, awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
Employment Opportunities
TeleSAFE is always recruiting for experienced and licensed NYSAFE examiners to join our team.
If you are an experienced and licensed NY SAFE interested in joining this innovative program to help survivors, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out to us using this form.