Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)

Sexual assaults perpetrated on adults and children are crimes of violence. Sexual assaults are often crimes of violence, control and power. A rapist does not assault someone because of overwhelming sexual desire. They assault to humiliate and degrade in the most personal way.

If you have been sexually assaulted, you have survived a horrible ordeal. Whether committed by a stranger, spouse, intimate partner or acquaintance, that person has committed a crime. You are not alone and help is available to you. Reaching out is an important step. Immediate medical care is essential. A prompt report to local law enforcement may help provide you peace of mind and prevent future victims.

Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Placer County has a Sexual Assault Response Team which has been created to provide immediate medical care, victim advocacy and criminal justice services for victims of sexual assault in Placer County. SART is made up of committed and dedicated professionals.

Our Team Consists of Specialists

• SART Team Coordinator: We have a SART team coordinator. Her office is located in Roseville in the District Attorney’s Office.
• A Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner is a nurse or physician Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) with highly specialized training to provide a forensic evidentiary examination and medical support. When children are involved, the medical examination is done by specialized pediatric SART examiners, who have training as Doctors, Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners and/or Registered Nurses specifically trained in the examination and collection of evidence from children.
• A Victim Specialist who is there to provide crisis intervention, emotional support, referrals, and information to the victim.
• A Law Enforcement Officer who is specially trained to listen to your story and ask detailed questions that may lead to the prosecution of the perpetrator.

Sexual Assaults Perpetrated on Adults & Children Are Crimes

Rape is generally defined as forced or nonconsensual sexual intercourse. Rape may be accomplished by fear, threats of harm, and/or actual physical force. Rape may also include situations in which penetration is accomplished when the victim is unable to give consent, or prevented from resisting, due to being intoxicated, drugged, unconscious, or asleep.

Sexual assault is a broader term than rape and includes various types of unwanted touching or penetration without consent. The term “drug-facilitated sexual assault” is generally used to define situations in which victims are subjected to nonconsensual sexual acts while they are incapacitated or unconscious due to the effects of alcohol and/or drugs and are therefore, prevented from resisting and/or unable to give consent. Sexual assaults can be crimes of violence, control and power. A rapist may not assault someone because of overwhelming sexual desire. They may assault to humiliate and degrade in the most personal way.

Whether committed by a stranger, spouse, intimate partner or acquaintance, that person has committed a crime. You are not alone and help is available to you. Reaching out is an important step. Immediate medical care is essential. A prompt report to local law enforcement may help provide you peace of mind and prevent future victims.

Report Your Assault to Law Enforcement

If you have been sexually assaulted, call 911 immediately. You should not engage in any activity that may contaminate or destroy valuable evidence such as semen, saliva, hairs, etc. This includes:

• Brushing teeth or using mouthwash
• Changing clothes
• Chewing gum, candy, mints
• Eating or drinking
• Showering or bathing
• Smoking

Your clothing may need to be collected as evidence if it was worn during or immediately after the assault. You should not wash bedding, clothes, or dispose of tampons or any items worn during the assault. If there is any reason to believe you were drugged, it is extremely important to obtain a urine sample as soon as possible. Blood may also be collected. If the report is delayed, evidence may still be available.

What to Expect at the Medical-Forensic Evidentiary Examination

Each medical-forensic evidentiary examination is conducted in a safe, private room located at either Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital or Sutter Roseville Medical Center. Examiners are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to respond to requests from law enforcement to conduct medical-forensic exams. The nurse or physician Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner (SAFE) will obtain a medical and event history, complete a head-to-toe assessment looking for any signs of injury or trauma, and collect forensic evidence throughout the examination. You may be offered treatment to prevent sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy. When a child is the patient, an age-appropriate, non-threatening and sensitive exam is conducted by a SAFE with advanced pediatric training.

When your examination is complete, you will be offered information and referrals for medical, legal, and emotional follow-up both immediately and in the future. Remember, every person who is assaulted responds to and recovers from sexual assault in a unique way. There is no right or wrong way. You are not alone and help is available to you. Reaching out is an important step in your recovery.

Law enforcement authorizes and pays for the forensic evidentiary exam; however, any other medical costs will be billed to the patient who may later be reimbursed through the State of California Victims of Crime Compensation Program. California Penal Code gives sexual assault survivors the right to request their name and address not become public record.

Important to Remember

Immediate medical care is essential. A prompt report to local law enforcement may help provide you peace of mind and prevent future victims. Sexual assault is never your fault. You are not to blame for what has happened to you.

If you or someone you know needs our services, you can contact: