SOVRI Helpline: 888-613-1613

The Support for Victims of Rape and Incest (SOVRI) Helpline is dedicated to providing culturally sensitive support and outreach to the Orthodox Jewish community on issues related to sexual abuse. All calls are confidential and anonymous. We do not use caller ID.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are we?

The helpline is open Monday-Thursday, 9:30 am-5:30 pm and Friday, 9:30 am-1:30 pm. The phone number is 888-613-1613. We are under the auspices of the Victim Services Program of Mount Sinai Beth Israel Department of Social Work. SOVRI was founded in 1982 by a survivor, who understood the helpline was necessary to assist those in the Orthodox community suffering from sexual abuse. It was reestablished in 2008 at Mount Sinai Beth Israel by two Orthodox social workers.

Who calls the helpline?

We receive calls from men, women, teenagers, and children who have survived any type of sexual abuse, rape, molestation, sexual harassment, emotional abuse, or domestic violence. We have received calls from individuals representing every type of religious background, from many different countries and communities around the world.

Who can benefit from calling the SOVRI Helpline?

We encourage anyone who has experienced any form of sexual abuse to call the SOVRI Helpline. We also urge anyone who suspects that someone they know may be or has been a victim to call for support and information. The SOVRI Helpline is also available to anyone with questions regarding sexual abuse.

Who answers the phone?

Our trained volunteers answer the helpline. Our volunteers have successfully completed a 40-hour training program modeled after the New York State Department of Health Rape Crisis Intervention program. The training focuses on the dynamics of sexual abuse in the secular and Orthodox communities, childhood sexual abuse and incest, health care and legal protocols, post-traumatic stress disorder, sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, suicide assessment, and provision of appropriate resources and referrals. All of our volunteers are Orthodox women. All volunteers are supervised by licensed clinical social workers who know about trauma and have extensive experience in dealing with these issues.

What happens if I call?

You will be connected with a trained volunteer who will listen to you, support you, and help you navigate your current needs. She will also be able to provide you with necessary resources to further assist you. There is no limit on the number of times you can contact the SOVRI Helpline.

When can I call?

The helpline is open Monday-Thursday, 9:30 am-5:30 pm and Friday, 9:30 am-1:30 pm. If you call outside those hours, you have the option of leaving your first name and telephone number and a volunteer counselor will return your call as soon as possible. In your message, please let us know a safe time to call you back.

How you can Help

To learn more about becoming a trained SOVRI volunteer, please call 212-420-2883. To make a donation to SOVRI Program, please use this link