Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)
Clove Alliance is committed to creating a world free from sexual violence. A crucial component of achieving this goal is through our Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). A SART is a coordinated group of professionals from various disciplines who work together to provide comprehensive support and services to survivors of sexual assault.
Our team members include:
- Advocates: Offer emotional support, crisis intervention, and information about available resources.
- Medical professionals: Provide forensic examinations, treatment for injuries, and prevention of sexually transmitted infections.
- Law enforcement: Investigate the crime and gather evidence.
- Prosecutors: Build cases, represent survivors in court, and work to hold offenders accountable.
- Other relevant agencies such as Probation, DCFS, Child Advocacy Center, etc.
Why is a SART essential?
- Improving coordination: A SART ensures seamless communication and collaboration among team members, reducing the burden on survivors and increasing efficiency.
- Enhancing victim-centered care: By focusing on the survivor’s needs and preferences, a SART can create a supportive and trauma-informed environment.
- Increasing access to services: A SART can help identify gaps in services and advocate for additional resources to meet the needs of survivors.
- Promoting accountability: Through collaboration and evidence-based practices, a SART can increase the likelihood of successful prosecution and offender accountability.
- Building community awareness: A SART can raise awareness about sexual assault and its impact on survivors, fostering a culture of prevention and support.
How does a SART benefit survivors?
Survivors of sexual assault face numerous challenges, including physical injuries, emotional trauma, and fear. A SART can make a profound difference in their lives by:
- Providing immediate support: Survivors receive compassionate care and crisis intervention from trained professionals.
- Facilitating access to justice: A SART can help survivors navigate the legal system and pursue justice if they choose to do so.
- Promoting healing: With access to medical care, counseling, and advocacy, survivors can begin the process of healing and recovery.
- Empowering survivors: By providing information and support, a SART can help survivors regain a sense of control and agency.
By investing in SART teams in Kankakee, Iroquois, and Ford Counties, Clove Alliance demonstrates a solid commitment to supporting survivors of sexual violence and creating a safer community for all.