The effectiveness of a Midwestern sexual assault response team in initial response to sexual assault victims

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the initial response of a Midwestern sexual assault response team (SART) to sexual assault victims. Sexual assault response teams were developed to provide more coordinated care to the victims of sexual assault and are comprised of community agencies, including law enforcement, advocacy, sexual assault nurse examiners (SANE), and human services. Neuman's System Model was used as a framework for this study, with specific focus on secondary intervention as it related to the initial response of the SART to victims of sexual assault. This theory supports the efforts of SART to provide holistic care to victims of sexual assault, and to assist them in moving towards a state of health. Descriptive data from a convenience sample (n = 81) was utilized in this pilot study. An investigator-developed tool was utilized to collect quantitative, descriptive data. Agency personnel involved in SART from law enforcement, human services, advocacy, and SANE collected this retrospective data. Findings revealed demographic similarities between the convenience sample and national samples. Results indicated that most victims consented to law enforcement involvement and follow-up with victim advocacy. Further data collection is needed to fully evaluate the effectiveness of the initial response of the SART.