MUSC Advocacy Program (MAP) at MUSC Health

MUSC Health’s 24/7 social work response for abuse, neglect, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking.

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The MUSC Advocacy Program (MAP) is MUSC Health’s 24/7 social work response program for patients, families, care team members, and students affected by child abuse or neglect, vulnerable adult abuse or neglect, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking, serving all MUSC Health Charleston hospitals and clinics.

MAP provides a coordinated, trauma-informed response that connects individuals with trained social workers who assess risk, provide crisis support, conduct psychosocial evaluations, develop safety plans, and link patients to MUSC Health and community resources. The program works closely with Forensic Nurse Examiners, child abuse specialists, law enforcement, and the Department of Social Services to support patients from initial contact through recovery and safe outcomes.

MAP also provides outreach and education to MUSC Health care team members and the broader community on recognizing the indicators of abuse and neglect and accessing available resources. To request MAP’s response, call the MUSC Health operator at 843-792-2300 and ask for the on-call MAP social worker — available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How does MAP work?

MAP provides different types of support depending on the situation. Expand each area below to learn what services are available.

MAP social workers provide safety planning, psychosocial and lethality assessments, education, brief counseling, linkage to resources, and referral to community agencies for individuals experiencing intimate partner violence. MAP coordinates directly with Forensic Nurse Examiners and the MUSC Health medical team to ensure a comprehensive response.

MAP social workers provide crisis response, psychosocial assessment, support, brief counseling, linkage with resources, coordination of services, and referrals for suspected child abuse or neglect. MAP works closely with the Child Abuse Pediatric Division, Forensic Nurse Examiners, local law enforcement, and the Department of Social Services to coordinate care and mandatory reporting.

MAP social workers provide crisis response, assessment, linkage with resources, and referrals for suspected vulnerable adult abuse or neglect. MAP coordinates with the medical team, the Department of Social Services Adult Protective Services, law enforcement agencies, and other community organizations to support the patient and facilitate safe care transitions.

MAP coordinates with Forensic Nurse Examiners and the medical team to provide safety planning, lethality assessments, education, brief counseling, linkage to resources, and referral to community agencies for victims of human trafficking. MAP social workers are trained in trauma-informed care approaches specific to trafficking survivors.

The need for MAP

Women 25% will experience intimate partner violence in her lifetime.

Children 3M+ witness intimate partner violence in their homes each year.

Children 15% experienced abuse or neglect in the past year.

Older Adults 10% (age 60+) experience some form of elder abuse.

Abuse, neglect, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking affect people across all demographics. These figures reflect the prevalence of these issues nationally and in our community — and underscore why a coordinated, 24/7 response program like MAP is a critical part of MUSC Health’s care model.

Human trafficking is a further reminder that danger often comes from within trusted circles — victims are more often trafficked by people they know than by strangers. MAP is trained to recognize indicators across all forms of abuse and trafficking and to connect patients with the support they need, regardless of the circumstances.

Community resources

SC Department of Social Services (child & vulnerable adult abuse reporting) — 888-227-3487
MUSC Crime Victims Center (therapy for abuse, neglect, and IPV victims) — 843-792-6190