The Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) program is designed to provide emotional support and advocacy to sexual assault victims during the hospital “rape exam”, questioning by law enforcement and beyond. WRC serves the north coastal area. It represents an effective cooperative effort between Palomar/Pomerado Hospital – North County’s designated rape trauma medical center, social service agencies, and law enforcement.
If you need to speak to a case manager please call our crisis hotline number.
Sexual Assault Victim Advocates provide accompaniment to forensic exams as well as information, support, and referrals to other resources. Survivors can call and speak to WRC’s crisis hotline and advocates will empower them with information and referrals to programs that address their current needs. The criminal justice system is a complex one and advocates can assist completion of paperwork and accompany survivors to court dates. All services are free and confidential.
❝I can’t explain why the issue of sexual assault is so important to me, but it is. Of course, I, like so many others, think it is abhorrent, but thinking and feeling are insufficient responses–I want to act. I am saddened whenever I get the call from WRC to respond to a SART–saddened only because of the realization that someone may likely be having one of the worst days of their life. However, I am honored that I can be a part of the response to help that person start the painful work of recovery. I chose to be a SART volunteer to help make a positive difference in the lives of sexual assault victims in my community and am proud to work among the wonderful WRC volunteers and staff, as well as the dedicated sexual assault nurse examiners of San Diego County.❞
John B.
WRC SART Advocate
As a part of the Center’s 24-hour crisis line operation, response personnel are “on call” at all times of the day and night. When a sexual assault occurs in north coastal San Diego County, the hospital staff contacts the Center’s crisis line to advise that a victim is in transit to the medical center requesting an advocate response. Upon receiving such a request, a WRC advocate (staff or volunteer) responds immediately to the hospital facility. When the victim arrives at the hospital, each collaborative participant has a clearly defined role with the combined focus being to assist the victim. Hospital personnel conduct the evidence gathering “rape exam”, law enforcement officers interview the victim to elicit specific details about the assault and the perpetrator and Women’s Resource Center personnel provide support, crisis intervention services and advocacy for the victim.
Sexual Assault is a very traumatic experience and the process of the evidentiary collection is very exhausting emotionally. To provide additional support to those who may need it WRC provides the survivor with the option of staying at Alternative confidential locations for an evening. After that they will meet with a case manager and further screening may be required if the survivor would like to stay for the full 28 days. There are many reasons a survivor may not feel safe returning to their home and the case manager and a counselor will assist survivors in navigating those issues.
