Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)

SART is an acronym for SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE TEAM. The SART is a survivor-sensitive program designed to provide a team approach to responding to sexual assaults in our community. Before the development of the SART, most survivors endured the aftermath of assault alone, feeling frightened, frustrated and confused. The SART consists of a specially trained nurse examiner who provides an evidentiary examination and medical support, a law enforcement officer who conducts an investigation and provides emergency assistance, and a counselor advocate who is there to provide emotional support, referrals and information to help the survivor. Additional members of the SART might include additional health care providers, detectives, law enforcement forensic scientists, and prosecuting attorneys.

When appropriate, the counselor advocate will also offer support to the survivor’s significant others, family and friends. All members of the SART seek to work together to provide the highest level of care for survivors. Members of the SART collaborate often through participation in mutual trainings, meetings, and conferences hosted by various agencies, including Peace Over Violence.