SART
(Sexual Assault Response Team)
Among the specialized services of the Outreach Program are the Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) and the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). Professionally trained staff and volunteers make up the Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center ’s Outreach Team.
In addition to support counseling, the Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center provides confidential advocates to accompany survivors of sexual assault to hospitals, police stations, and court when requested by the survivor. All confidential advocates, whether paid staff or volunteers, have completed the forty-hour training mandated by the State of New Jersey. These confidential advocates provide professional services to the survivors and their significant others.
If the following are true: the survivor is 13 years of age or older, the assault has happened within the last 5 days and the survivor wants evidence gathered, she/he may call the Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center’s hotline or report directly to a hospital and ask to have the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) activated. Once activation has occurred, the survivor will be met at the hospital by a confidential advocate, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), and a member of law enforcement. While at the hospital the survivor may meet individually and confidentially with the advocate, have evidence collected by the SANE, and report the crime to law enforcement. The survivor may choose the SART services she/he would like to receive. SART offers the survivor a client-centered approach where the survivor can begin to regain control. If SART criteria do not apply, the survivor may contact the Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Crisis Center to discuss other options and support services.
If you want to speak to an advocate just ask for one.
