Evansville, IN – Prosecuting Attorney Diana Moers announces her office now facilitates the regional Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) for Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey, and Gibson counties. Prior to the change, Albion Fellows Bacon Center had successfully led the regional SART for years. Prosecutor Moers discussed statutory requirements with the SART partners that dictate the county Prosecutor shall establish the SART and took steps to assume leadership of the SART and enhance its effectiveness.
The Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey, and Gibson County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) consists of representatives from Prosecution, Law Enforcement, Indiana State Police Forensics Lab, Advocacy Services, Medical Services and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (“SANE”) Nurses, SANE Training Services, Universities, and more partners. Each discipline works together to effectively carry out the newly established Mission Statement:
The mission of the Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey, and Gibson County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is to utilize each member discipline to ensure a victim-centered, effective response to sexual assault in Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey, and Gibson counties by establishing and abiding by the sexual assault response protocols, analyzing trends in sex crimes, assessing services available to victims, encouraging members to stay up-to-date on trainings and best-practices, and overall advocacy for victims of sexual assault.
“My goal is to work with this great team of trained professionals to increase public awareness of available resources in the region for victims of sex crimes, increase communication between each discipline who works to respond to sexual assault reports and serve victims, and conduct regular case reviews to identify gaps and increase effectiveness in response protocol going forward. Victims of sexual assault can rest assured we will assist them and get them the resources they need to make it through whatever situation they have encountered—they are not alone,” states Prosecutor Moers.
If you are a victim of sexual assault:
- Call 911. An officer will respond and make a report;
- Go to the Emergency Room for treatment if there is a sexual assault of any kind, if there are injuries or other physical or mental health concerns. You will be seen by specially trained medical staff;
- An officer or the hospital can connect you with an advocate if you choose, or you may contact a local advocacy center directly. Advocates will walk with you through the investigation and legal procedures.
