Sexual Assault Information

Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART)- SARTs are teams that work together all over the country . A SART is a multidisciplinary, interagency team of specially trained  providers who agree to share resources and work together when responding to  victims of sexual assault. These team members usually include victim advocates, law enforcement, forensic examiners, crime lab specialists, and prosecuting attorneys, but they can also include other professionals like dispatchers, emergency medical technicians, and public health officials. Confidentiality is the highest priority. If you have a question in regards to sexual assault, please contact your nearest Sexual assault response team. The SART will give you answers or help go in the right direction.

Contact:  Brandi Storgaard at brandi@sdnafvsa.com

Central Dakota Sexual Assault Response Team

South Dakota Rape Prevention Education Grant

Sexual Violence is a significant problem in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men in the United States have been raped at some time in their lives and nearly 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men have experienced other forms of sexual violence victimization in their lifetime (e.g., made to penetrate someone, sexual coercion, unwanted sexual contact and non-contact unwanted sexual experiences). Sexual Violence does not only affect the individual but it also affects the community. Sexual Violence Prevention requires a comprehensive, community-wide approach. The grant anticipates to:

·       Preventing first-time perpetration and victimization;

·       Reducing modifiable risk factors while enhancing protective factors associated with sexual violence perpetration and victimization;

·       Using the best available evidence when planning, implementing, and evaluating prevention programs;

·       Incorporating behavior and social change theories into prevention programs;

·       Using population-based surveillance to inform program decisions and monitor trends; and

·       Evaluating prevention efforts and using the results to improve future program plans.

If you would like more information on How to be involved with other coalitions around the state that are trying to prevent sexual violence in your community, youth development program or school.  Please contact brandi@sdnafvsa.com

For more information about Rape Prevention Education with the South Dakota Department of Health please click here

Local Shelters may provide advocates who can provide hybrids of healthy relationship programs. Some of the membership shelters have advocates that can provide this service. The advocate will come to your school. Please contact your local shelter for information.

Male Survivors

Sexual assault happens to males as well – and recent headlines surrounding the athletics departments at Penn State and UW-Madison, have brought this issue to the forefront and heightened our awareness of the long-lasting impact of sexual trauma no matter who the victim may be.

• 1 in 6 for Men – a national organization dedicated to providing support and resources for male survivors; also en español: http://1in6.org/bajo-desarrollo/
  • Myths and Facts page
  • Trainings for Professionals
• Male Survivor – Overcoming the Sexual Victimization of Boys & Men – a national organization providing resources for male survivors.
  • Male Survivor Forums (online electronic bulletin board)
• National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV) – Where We Stand report – Male Survivors

• Living Well (Australia) – a resource for men who have experienced childhood sexual abuse

Prison Rape Elimination Act

Please click here: http://doc.sd.gov/about/grants/prea.aspx

Resources

Sexual Assault Hotline- 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)

http://endsexualviolence.org/forsurvivors

Start By Believing – campaign by EVAW (Ending Violence Against Women) International

Parents for Megan’s Law and the Crime Victims Center (PFML/CVC) www.parentsformeganslaw.org – provides national Helpline community support and assistance on issues related to Megan’s Law, sex offender management and sexual assault prevention. 1-(888) 275-7365.

End Violence Against Women International  FAQ’s on Criminal Justice and Community Response to Sexual Assault: provides answers pertaining to topics such as interviewing techniques,  reluctant victims, working with advocates and joint interviews

NSVRC Protocols and Guidelines for Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART)

The Realities of Sexual Assault on Campus guide through BestColleges.com’s website provides a guide defining many different forms of sexual assault and lists practical safety measures to take. It also provides a step-by-step assistance guide and additional resources for victims recovering from sexual violence.

Youth Voices in Prevention Toolkit This toolkit provides communities with a roadmap to implement Youth VIP. This includes tools to establish Youth VIP’s organizational structure, recruit youth leaders and program participants, support youth-led activities, teach sexual and other related forms of violence prevention knowledge and skills, promote peer-to-peer knowledge sharing, and to adapt Youth VIP to specific needs of the community and its youth.

Please contact Brandi Storgaard for more information about any of the content above: brandi@sdnafvsa.com