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sarp/sart

Sexual Assault Response Program
Initial Contact
  • Victims most often have contact with SARP for the first time through the 24-Hour Hotline, at the ER, or by referral from law enforcement/social services
  • ER/Medical Accompaniment: SARP operates ER 24-hours a day to meet with victims of sexual violence
  • 24-Hour Hotline: SARP operates a 24-Hour Hotline for victims who need support
  • After normal business hours, this line is transferred to personnel at the Domestic Violence Prevention Center (DVPC)
  • Crisis Intervention: SARP staff and volunteers are trained in suicide prevention and other crisis intervention skills
  • Notification of Reporting Options: There are three reporting options for victims of sexual violence, and SARP informs victims of each option, as well as the pros and cons of each
  • Information and Referral: At the ER, victims are provided with a packet of brochures and referrals to other community services
  • Forensic Exam Accompaniment: If a victim of sexual violence elects to have evidence collected from their body, SARP Companions will sit with them through their exam, offering support
  • Criminal Justice Advocacy: If a victim is interviewed by law enforcement, SARP Companions will accompany the victim during that process
  • Financial Assistance: If a victim's clothing is confiscated for evidentiary purposes, SARP provides new replacement clothing
  • Safety Planning: SARP Companions will discuss options for a victim to feel safe and may complete a safety plan with that victim
Case Management Services
  • Once initial services have been offered, a victim can opt to become a client and receive case management services
  • Paid Sexual Assault Victim Advocates, who are assigned clients based on the jurisdiction of offense, provide these services
  • Emotional Support: At the client's request and comfort level, SARP will make scheduled calls to the client to provide support throughout the recovery/criminal justice process
  • Information and Referral: SARP provides clients with referrals to licensed professional counselors, as well as food pantries and other financial assistance
  • SARP provides information about follow up Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD testing, locations, and offers accompaniment
  • Criminal Justice Advocacy: SARP Victim Advocates will attend follow-up investigative interviews with law enforcement and prosecutors from the Commonwealth Attorney's Office, as well as any court hearings: bond hearings, preliminary hearings, trials, and sentencing
  • Financial Assistance: SARP assists victims filing for state reimbursements for expenses related to their crime through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund
  • Support Groups: SARP offers Community Support Groups for three types of populations: adult victims, parents/caregivers of child victims, and teens
  • Personal Advocacy: SARP also provides clients with a variety of services for special needs, which may include meeting with a client and their employer if a sexual assault has influenced the workplace, assisting a client with immigration issues, or helping a client write a victim impact statement for the sentencing of an offender
By Code of Virginia, The Attorney General has mandated that a Sexual Assault Response Team, or S.A.R.T., exist in every political subdivision of the state
  • SARTs are a team of professionals who work together to ensure that ADULT victims of sexual violence receive a consistent response
  • Your local sexual assault crisis center is the Sexual Assault Response Program (SARP), the co-author of this webinar, and SARP has had a large part in implementing the SARTs in this area, as well as assisting with the development of each jurisdiction's SART protocol for response to sexual violence
  • Currently, SARTs exist in Amherst, Appomattox, Campbell County, Danville, Lynchburg, and Pittsylvania County. SARP is working with Bedford and Halifax to develop A SARP
  • CVCC is a member of the Lynchburg SART and attends meetings