New Statewide SART Advisory Committee

New Statewide SART Advisory Committee Forming to Address Policy Issues and Forensic Exams for Non-Reporting Victims

FCASV is partnering with the Office of the Attorney General to convene a statewide SART (sexual assault response team) advisory committee to address policy issues at the state level. The SART will build on the efforts of the workgroup of multidisciplinary professionals that wrote the Guidelines for Forensic Examinations for Sexual Assault Victims Not Reporting to Law Enforcement. The committee will make recommendations for how communities can implement new statutory requirements and suggest new legislation and policies that will benefit sexual assault victims and the agencies that serve them.

The SART advisory committee will be made up of representatives from a broad range of disciplines and entities whose work brings them into contact with victims of sexual violence. Invited professions include members of sheriffs’ offices, police departments, the courts, rape crisis programs, the Department of Corrections, hospital administrations, law enforcement associations, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement crime labs, state attorneys’ offices, sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) programs, universities, disability agencies and survivor organizations.

One issue the advisory committee will take up is how to increase availability of forensic exams for non-reporting sexual assault victims. According to a questionnaire answered by rape crisis program staff, law enforcement victim advocates and SANE program coordinators, most communities in Florida have instituted procedures for how to provide the exams, assure victim confidentiality and securely store evidence. Nearly every community is holding evidence for at least 90 days, others for a year or longer, and some will hold the kits indefinitely. Some counties, however, do not offer exams for non-reporting victims.
The number of exams provided across the state varies widely, even among communities with comparable population sizes. Some large counties have only performed a handful of exams for non-reporting victims whereas counties with much smaller populations have provided services to as many if not more non-reporting victims. The percentage of victims who change their status from non-reporting to reporting to law enforcement after the exam differs greatly as well.

Many respondents to the questionnaire recount that true collaboration among their SART members makes a positive difference in implementing victim-friendly policies for the non-reporting forensic exams. One respondent stated, “We have not encountered any obstacles as of yet. We treat non-reporting victims the same as reporting victims in that we provide crisis counseling, conduct the forensic examination, collect evidence, provide STD testing, issue prophylactic medications in office, and provide follow-up contact and additional STD testing at three months post-exposure.”

Some respondents answered that improved communication and cooperation among front-line staff at police departments, hospital emergency rooms and doctors’ offices would greatly benefit victims considering the option of a forensic exam. Others commented that emergency room personnel are unaware that they can treat non-reporting victims. One sexual violence program wrote, “We have determined recently that we need to do additional training with emergency room staff and their attorneys regarding the appropriate reporting laws. Some still feel that they are mandated to report adult sexual violence victims who come to the emergency room.” Unless the victim meets the definition of vulnerable adult, or has a gunshot wound, medical personnel are not required to alert law enforcement.

Everyone agrees on the need to better inform the public that rape victims may seek a forensic medical exam without filing a police report. The SART advisory committee will address this issue and work with local SARTs to compile recommendations and strategies that communities can use to promote forensic exams for non-reporting victims.