SART
WHAT IS S.A.R.T.?
S.A.R.T. is the Sexual Assault Response Team. S.A.R.T. is a victim-centered approach designed to provide a multidisciplinary response to crimes of sexual violence throughout communities in Indiana. Started in California in 1990 this concept has become a model for other states in the response to victims of sex crimes. Thousands of victims have been assisted, counseled and consoled by S.A.R.T. teams. Before S.A.R.T., most victims endured the aftermath of assault by themselves, feeling frightened and alone. The S.A.R.T. team consists of a forensic nurse examiner specialized in sexual assault evidentiary examinations and medical treatment. This nurse examiner is sometimes referred to as a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner). In addition a law enforcement officer on the team conducts an investigation and provides emergency assistance; a victim advocate is there to provide emotional support, referrals and information to the victim. In Indiana the Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs) are established through the Prosecutor’s Offices in each county per statute.
Indiana Code relating to SART
IC 16-21-8-1.5 Appointment of a sexual assault response team
Sec. 1.5. If a sexual assault response team has not been established in a county, the prosecuting attorney shall appoint a sexual assault response team in that county, or the county shall join with one (1) or more other counties to create a regional team, to comply with duties assigned to sexual assault response teams under this chapter. As added by P.L.41-2007, SEC.14.
IC 16-21-8-2 County or regional sexual response team; duties
Sec. 2. (a) Each county or regional sexual assault response team shall develop a plan that establishes the protocol for sexual assault victim response and treatment, including the:
- (1) collection;
- (2) preservation;
- (3) secured storage; and
- (4) destruction; of samples.
(b) The plan under subsection (a) shall address the following regarding an alleged sexual assault victim who is at least eighteen (18) years of age and who either reports a sexual assault or elects not to report a sexual assault to law enforcement:
- (1) The method of maintaining the confidentiality of the alleged sexual assault victim regarding the chain of custody and secured storage of a sample.
- (2) The development of a victim notification form that notifies an alleged sexual assault victim of his or her rights under the law.
- (3) How a victim will receive the victim notification form.
- (4) Identification of law enforcement agencies that will be responsible to transport samples.
- (5) Agreements between medical providers and law enforcement agencies to pick up and store samples.
- (6) Maintaining samples in secured storage.
- (7) Procedures to destroy a sample following applicable statute of limitations.
As added by P.L.2-1993, SEC.4. Amended by P.L.121-2006, SEC.24; P.L.41-2007, SEC.15.
Is Your County SART Compliant?
