the common goal of creating a seamless, community-based response to the needs of sexual assault victim/survivors

The Medical/Forensic Examiner Program is an essential component of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART). Each county-based team includes local law enforcement, the District Attorney's office, SAFEs, and sexual assault support center advocates. Members of the SART share the common goal of creating a seamless, community-based response to the needs of sexual assault victim/survivors. As more is learned about the prevalence of sexual assault/abuse and the related low reporting rate, there is increased responsibility to improve the systems charged with responding to these crimes, and to provide a uniform, integrated, informed response to sexual assault. The key systems are healthcare providers, law enforcement, sexual assault centers and prosecutors. Each Medical/Forensic examiner is an integral member of the SART responding to this need.