SART

(Sexual Assault Response Team)

The purpose of SART is to meet the needs of assault victims/survivors as they progress through the health care and criminal justice systems.

The goal of SART is to create a response network that increases the effective response of all the assisting agencies to victims of sexual assault who strive to eliminate re-traumatizing the victim as they interact with the various agencies within the system. This is accomplished in large part through a combined effort developed by the community’s coordinated response to sexual assault.

The Oxford County team is comprised of sexual assault nurse examiners, sexual assault victim advocates (REACH staff member and/or advocate), law enforcement officers, prosecuting attorneys and Victim Witness Advocates (VWA).

Another equally important goal is to provide opportunities for members of each agency to have the same knowledge base about sexual assault and provide occasions for participants to build relationships that will facilitate communication and collaboration among systems and individuals working with victims.

The people and agencies involved in helping victims and survivors:

REACH’s SART Coordinator can provide –

• Compassionate, confidential support
• Someone with whom you may safely talk through your thoughts and feelings.
• Information and resources to help you work through the experience of sexual assault.
• Help arranging medical exams and support during the exams, if you decide to seek them.
• Support while you file a police report, if you decide to file one.
• Accompaniment through the court process.
• A liaison between a victim and the legal system, getting answers to questions a victim may have and providing them information about court proceedings.
• Resource information and support for friends, family and partners of individuals who have been sexually assaulted.

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners –

• Registered nurses with special training to assist victims of sexual violence.
• On-call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• Provide immediate, compassionate, culturally-sensitive health care.
• Collect medical evidence that may assist in prosecuting the assailant.

Law Enforcement Officers –

• Safeguard victims from further harm after the assault.
• Investigate the crime and collect evidence.
• Collect statements from victims and witnesses.
• Assist county attorneys in prosecuting the crime.

Oxford County District Attorney’s Office – 

• Prosecute sexual assault cases to protect the community (Sexual Assault is a Crime Against the State).
• Assists victims as cases proceed through the criminal justice system.
• Represents victims in court.