Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)
The state of New Jersey has a specific set of protocols created to serve those who have experienced sexual violence. They seek to bring trauma-informed care to those in need of support.
What is SART?
In New Jersey, a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is available 24/7 and free of charge to survivors of sexual violence. This team is comprised of the following members:
a Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE)
a Confidential Sexual Violence Advocate (CSVA)
a law enforcement professional
How SART Assists
1.
A Forensic Nurse Examiner (FNE)’s primary duty is to collect evidence for you. Survivors can go to an emergency room for a SAFE kit (evidence collection) up to five days after an assault has occurred. An FNE can be found at one of these six participating hospitals.
Clara Maas Medical Center (Belleville)
Saint Barnabas Medical Center (Livingston)
Mountainside Hospital (Montclair/Glen Ridge)
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (Newark)
St. Michaels Medical Center (Newark)
University Hospital, Rutgers (Newark)
2.
A Confidential Sexual Violence Advocate (CSVA) can be called to assist 24/7 via the SAVE hotline 1-877-733-2273.
A CSVA provides emotional support, safety planning, and resources and referrals for those who have experienced sexual violence or care about someone who has. CSVAs are available to talk via the hotline and can also accompany you to the hospital for evidence collection, police stations, and court rooms for support. Our goal is to be there for you and answer any questions you may have so you can do what is best for you.
3.
A law enforcement officer can be called if you wish to make a report about your sexually violent experience.
The officer can meet you at the hospital and take a statement there, or you can go to the police station in the town the assaults happened in at any time to make a report or press charges. In New Jersey, there is no statute of limitations on reporting. This means that while the evidence collection can only be done within 5 days after an assault occurred, you can choose to report at any time, even years later.
