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How Did SARTs Evolve?
A glimpse into the history of SARTs offers a portrait of passionate individuals, agencies, and coalitions who called for a fundamental rethinking of how sexual assault victims were treated, the way evidence was collected, and how cases were managed. The histories reveal how survivors of sexual violence and community leaders (advocates, law enforcement officers, forensic laboratory scientists, health care professionals, and prosecutors) bridged boundaries and developed integrated systems that were victim centered and legally sound. Their stories are about foresight, tenacity, planning, training, and creativity. Moreover, their stories demonstrate that positive social change often follows on the heels of multidisciplinary collaborations.
Read this section to find out about criminal and civil justice reforms related to sexual violence, SART history by decade, and the potential of SARTs in the future.
Several federal agencies help support and develop SARTs, including the following:
- Office on Violence Against Women.
- Office for Victims of Crime.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- National Institute of Justice.
These agencies fund research on evidence-based practices, support the development of multidisciplinary training guidelines, fund agencies to provide customized technical assistance, and promote the distribution of materials to help inform and establish SARTs throughout the Nation.
