New Orleans Sexual Assault Response Team (SART)
Mission Statement
To provide a multi-disciplinary collaborative response to sexual assault that expands the scope of victim-centered services, holds offenders accountable, and reaches all communities in New Orleans.
Values and Commitments
Victim-Centered: SART members recognize the power and autonomy of victims of sexual assault, and commit to supporting victims in making their own choices regarding what services to access and how to respond to their assaults. Each SART member’s role is to make victims aware of their choices, be honest and realistic about the possible outcome of choices, and to understand and honor each victim’s experience without judgment. By committing to a victim-centered approach SART members understand the need to customize responses to meet victims’ specific needs and to promote a compassionate and sensitive delivery of services in order to prevent re-victimization.
Consistent Responses: SART members recognize that each discipline involved in responding to sexual assault has a role in supporting victims, and that working together as a team will help to ensure that services are consistent. This approach will improve the criminal justice system response, promote effective and consistent forensic evidence collection and increase opportunities for prosecution.
Collaboration: SART members commit to understanding and respecting the roles and responsibilities of each member of the team, and to acting with integrity and honesty in dealings with each other. Each SART member is accountable to the Mission Statement and to implementing the Strategic Plan through collaborative problem-solving, communication and completion of tasks appropriate to each team member. SART members believe working together as a team will provide the most effective systemic responses for supporting victims and holding offenders accountable.
Communication: SART members commit to listening to one another’s concerns and opinions and recognize that open, respectful communication is necessary for positive, constructive problem-solving and is vital to the success of the SART. SART members commit to resolving differences and conflicts directly with each other, and to engage in ethical communication that values honesty and active listening.
Community Awareness: SART members commit to working together to increase community understanding of the dynamics and realities of sexual assault through education and outreach. Through increased visibility of the SART team and awareness of services and supports for victims, more victims will understand the options available to support them and the community will recognize that every victim deserves to be treated with respect and dignity.
Trauma Stewardship: SART members recognize the possible negative effects of working with victims of sexual assault, and commit to promoting a culture of trauma stewardship. This involves mitigating vicarious trauma through support of each other through team work, and celebrating the victories and achievements of the SART.
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