What is SART?

(L-R): Melanie Clark, M.Ed., LPC, Assistant Director of Professional Services at The Wellspring Counseling & Family Development Center; Teri O’Neal, MD, FAAFP Associate Professor of Clinical Family Medicine and Residency Program Director, Coroner, LSUHSC-Shreveport/Monroe Family Medicine Residency, Ochsner LSU Health System Monroe Medical Center, Ouachita Parish, West Monroe, LA; Patti McFadden, Ph.D, RN, SANE, Associate Professor of Nursing, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, Louisiana Tech University, Ouachita Parish Coroner’s Office; and Ismail Amin NREMT-P, Community Training Center Trainer, District Fire Chief Ochsner LSU Monroe Medical Center, Ouachita Parish Fire Department.

What is the SART?

The Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is a team of people from the following five disciplines: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) and other medical personnel, law enforcement, advocacy, counseling and prosecution. They work together to respond immediately to the needs of sexual assault victims in Ouachita Parish. The group also provides a coordinated community response to sexual assault by working together to coordinate their efforts to better serve those coping with the aftermath of a sexual assault as well as to more effectively collect evidence and prosecute offenders.

How SART Sets Us Apart:

The benefit of a SART approach to responding to sexual assault is based on three facts. First, that sexual assault is a problem that affects the entire community. Second, that the physical and emotional well being of a sexual assault survivor is important to the community. And third, that it’s important to the community that professionals who care for sexual assault survivors and prosecute attackers get social training to learn how to properly collect forensic evidence. This ensures a higher reporting and conviction rate of offenders. The SART concept also allows for more coordinated handling of the various tasks that are a part of responding.

How a SART Team helps following an assault:

As soon as an assault is reported, a police officer is sent to the scene. At the same time a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) nurse and a Sexual Assault Volunteer Advocate (SAVA) are called to a quiet, comfortable and private location where a forensic medical exam will be performed to document any injuries and collect any material that might serve as evidence in the event the survivor chooses to prosecute the perpetrator. When the survivor arrives, he or she is examined, and evidence is collected. The nurse who conducts the exam is available to testify in court if the survivor chooses to prosecute the perpetrator. The SAVA provides support throughout the exam as well as offering information about confidential aftercare resources. The police ensure the survivor’s safety and then conduct a thorough investigation of the crime. The survivor is treated with dignity and respect throughout. The appropriate authorities receive evidence that has been collected in a consistent, professional and objective manner. A team member may accompany and support the survivor during medical and legal proceedings.

How a SART Team helps following an assault:

As soon as an assault is reported, a police officer is sent to the scene. At the same time a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) nurse and a Sexual Assault Volunteer Advocate (SAVA) are called to a quiet, comfortable and private location where a forensic medical exam will be performed to document any injuries and collect any material that might serve as evidence in the event the survivor chooses to prosecute the perpetrator. When the survivor arrives, he or she is examined, and evidence is collected. The nurse who conducts the exam is available to testify in court if the survivor chooses to prosecute the perpetrator. The SAVA provides support throughout the exam as well as offering information about confidential aftercare resources. The police ensure the survivor’s safety and then conduct a thorough investigation of the crime. The survivor is treated with dignity and respect throughout. The appropriate authorities receive evidence that has been collected in a consistent, professional and objective manner. A team member may accompany and support the survivor during medical and legal proceedings.

To find out more about SART, contact any SART member agency:

Sexual Assault Response Team – Ouachita Member Agencies:

St. Francis Medical Center
The Wellspring Counseling and Family Development Center
Family Justice Center – Ouachita

Family Justice Center Partner Agencies:

4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office
4th Judicial District Courts/Probation and Parole
Children’s Coalition for Northeast Louisiana
First Baptist Church of Monroe, LA
Glenwood Regional Medical Center
Legal Services of North Louisiana
Louisiana Delta Community College
Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services
University Health
Monroe City Schools
Monroe and West Monroe City Police Depts.
Morehouse/Ouachita Parish District Attorney’s Office
Ochsner LSU Health — Monroe Medical Center
Ouachita Parish Coroner’s Office/SART
Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office
Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Domestic Violence Unit
Ouachita Parish Police Jury
Office of Community Services
Primary Health Services Center
Seeker Springs
St. Francis Medical Center
The Wellspring Alliance for Families
University of Louisiana at Monroe
Youth Empowerment Program