Strategies for Success Lisa Y. Zapata LBSW, CA Technical Assistance Program Coordinator lzapata@taasa.org 512.474.7190 ext 30 512.787.2547 cellphone
Pre Test Sexual Assault Response Teams ~SART~ http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/sartkit/
Sexual Assault Response Teams Sexual Violence continues to plague our Nation and destroy lives. All members of society are vulnerable to this crime, regardless of race, age, gender or social standing. When sexual assault does occur, victims deserve competent and compassionate care. National Protocol, 2004
Office for Victims of Crime Sexual Assault Response Teams: Partnering for Success Training Video www.ojp.usdoj.gov
National Definition of a Sexual Assault Response Team The Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is a collection of professional service providers and officials that respond as a group and in a timely fashion to the various needs of sexual assault victims. Source: National Sexual Assault Response Needs Assessment - http://www.nsvrc.org/_cms/fileupload/ovc_approved_needs_assessment_report.pdf
Common Questions How do we get the community interested in developing a SART? What is the difference between a SART and a task force? What if all the members do not attend regularly? Once the protocols are written then what does the SART do next? What information or data can the SART track? Can we combine the multidisciplinary (MDTs) and SART meetings? How can we secure the funding for medical equipment for the SANE program?
Texas SARTs In Texas, the SART models are a collaboration of community partners who hold an interest or responsibility to serve victims of sexual violence. As a SART, they begin assessing the community's need for a 24 hour response team and identity the community partners to include on the team. Together the partners establish a written protocol that creates a minimum standard of care that lays the foundation to meet the emotional, legal and medical needs for all victims of sexual violence and their family/friends.
First Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program in Texas In 1978, Amarillo s community partners joined together to implement the first of three SANE programs in the nation.
Texas SARTs In Texas, the SART models are a collaboration of community partners who hold an interest or responsibility to serve victims of sexual violence. As a SART, they begin assessing the community's need for a 24 hour response team and identity the community partners to include on the team. Together the partners establish a written protocol that creates a minimum standard of care that lays the foundation to meet the emotional, legal and medical needs for all victims of sexual violence and their family/friends.
Purpose of a SART Guidelines promote consistency and coordination by and between communities agencies and departments, sexual assault programs and providers of care and services Provide a comprehensive set of recommended practice responses to sex crimes Provide guidance to communities in their effort to strengthen their responses to sex crimes Assist communities in the evaluation of their current policies and practices and in setting goals Assist communities in identifying the policy and direction of the SART
Recommended SART Members Prosecutors Law Enforcement Parole & Probation Crime Lab Professionals Crime Victim Liaisons' College Campus /Title IX Faith-based Organizations Tribal Communities Multi-cultural Community Individuals/Legislators Public Health Clinics Regulatory Agencies CPS/APS Military-SARCs Human/Domestic Trafficking Specialists Survivors of Sexual Violence Hospital Administration Direct Treatment Providers Medical Director (s) Pediatric v Adolescent/Adult Trauma Coordinators Forensic Medical Examiners Community Educators Police Dispatchers Advocacy Programs SAP/CAC Sex Crime Units Prevention Specialists Media Public Health Clinics School Campus Police
Core Members Medical Director- provides guidance for the development of protocols and is available for consultation as needed Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE)- provides medical treatment and diagnosis for the patient, collects and preserves forensic evidence, offers prophylactic measures for preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, provides resources and referrals and is available to testify Sexual Assault Advocate - provides 24/7 support, advocacy, crisis counseling, information on victim rights and case management
Roles and Responsibilities Law Enforcement representative responds to the crime, interviews the victim and investigates the incident District Attorney determines if there is sufficient evidence for prosecution and if so prosecutes the case Team members work collaboratively to achieve identified goals Each SART member develops mechanisms for interfacing other SARTs in order to provide seamless care to every victim.
Victim Centered SART SART to provide services 24 hours a day 7 days a week, in a safe and private location SART will provide convenient access to emergency medical care Procedures and protocols will be developed to allow activation of the SART by the victim from various points of entry into the system Procedures and policies will be developed for the team that clearly defines each member s role and responsibility
Victim Centered Procedures and protocols will be developed to address confidentiality issues Procedures' and protocols will be developed to address victims consent issues Procedures and protocols will be developed to address aftercare and follow up Procedures and protocols' will be reviewed by the team on a regular scheduled basis to ensure effectiveness and currency.
Develop Protocols for First Responders
Physical, Emotional and Psychological Well-Being of the Victim Physical safety of the victim is the top priority Each victim will be informed they have the right to speak with a advocate from a sexual assault program prior to beginning any treatment, evidence collection or law enforcement interviews Informed consent for all medical procedures and the collection of evidence
Victim Centered Each victim has the right to withdraw consent at any point of the medical forensic examination Each victim will receive information on aftercare for physical, medical emotional needs Each victim will receive information on the Crime Victims Compensation
Standardizing the Process At what point is the SART activated? What is the response time of the SART? Will all sexual assault victims have access to a SAFE or SANE 24/7? How will the victim obtain a medical forensic examination Is there a separate safe waiting area for the family? Is there a designated area or medical facility where exams will be provided?
Standardizing Processes How will child acute cases be handled? How will evidence be locked and secured with limited access? What steps are to be taken for victims not wanting to report to law enforcement yet want an exam? What equipment will the SAFE or SANE need to do provide the forensic medical examination? Forensic Billing vs. Medical Billing?
Developing the SART Community Meeting Letter of Intent Strategic Planning Memorandums of Understanding Program Development Advocate Agreement Hospital Agreement Community Protocol SANE Training Case Review/Peer Review Offender Registration
Collaboration Training Confidentiality Consultation Information and Referral Networking and Coalition Building Communication Incentive Grants and Recognition Public Information and Social Marketing Research and Evaluation
Case Management Data Collection Measure and Maintain Quality Assurance Direct Victim Service Providers Law Enforcement Medical Prosecution Reliability of Evidence Collection Outputs/Outcomes Client Satisfaction K-12 and Higher Educational
Technical Assistance Hospital-based v. Community based services Identifying SART Resources Resources for accredited SANE Training Mandatory Reporting Regulations Mentoring Sites Non - Stranger Attacks Non - Reporting Sexual Assaults Pediatric vs. Adolescent/Adult cases Pseudonym Forms Roles and Responsibilities of SART Members Role and Responsibilities of a SANE Program SANE Sustainability Standardized Response Times Transporting or Securing Evidence Texas Crime Victims Bill of Rights Prison Rape Elimination Act Title IX and the SAVE Act
Benefits of a SART Victim Centered Services Dispatches Team Members for Forensic Exams Increase Number of Reports to Law Enforcement Reliability of Evidence Collection Standardization Investigative Procedures Decrease Gaps in Services Disposal of Cases Increase in Victims Perception of Safety Increase in Cross - Training Opportunities Peer-Led Dialogue United We Stand Divided We fall.
National SART Toolkit Source: http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/sartkit/
Team Building
Tractor?
Accept Challenges
Enjoy the Rewards
United We Stand Divided We Fall
Questions? Post Test and Evaluations