This practitioner focused report of findings from a national research project on Sexual Assault Response Team functioning and effectiveness. The full version of the technical research report to the National Institute of Justice is available online.Scientific publications of the data in peer-reviewed journals with full methodological details are also available. Publish Date May 2015

The 2014 Fall & Winter edition of The Resource celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act. Vice President Joe Biden recently deemed VAWA his “proudest legislative achievement.” In an article inside this issue, a legal advocate gives an inside look at what it was like to work on the second iteration of...

This document, written by Hallie Martynuik, provides infomation on steps to created an institution based SART as well as lessons learned.   Publish Date 2012

This study examined the structure and functioning of U.S. SARTs, patterns of SART implementation and how these patterns relate to SARTs perceived effectiveness at improving victim and legal outcomes. Publish Date September 2013

This booklet by the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA) includes basic information about the period immediately after the victimization. For example, ‘Who can help me?’ ‘Do I have to tell the police what happened to me?’ and ‘How will my family and my friends react?’. There are also lists of resources in Texas In...

Este folleto por la Asociación de Tejas Contra el Asalto Sexual (en inglés, TAASA) incluye información básica sobre el periodo inmediatamente después de la victimización. Por ejemplo, ‘¿Quién me puede ayudar?’ ‘¿Tengo que dar parte a la policía de lo que me sucedio?’ y ‘¿Como reaccionaran mis familiares y mis amigos?’. También hay listas de...

I recently had the opportunity to take part in a training with our partner organization, the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN). We traveled to the Western region of the US and provided guidance to communities on developing a sexual assault forensic exam protocol. I’ve done this on previous occasions, and it is always a...

A collection of resources that provides a grounding for the most relevant information available online about and for rural communities as they build more effective responses to sexual violence. Publish Date 2011

This research report discusses the outcomes of a study conducted to understand the help-seeking patterns of behavior among teens who experienced sexual assault and reported it.  The study found patterns in reporting, including reports that were voluntary, reports that were involuntary, and reports prompted by the circumstances of the assault.  The research suggests that teens...

This NIJ special report outlines the issue of untested sexual assault kits that remain in law enforcement custody and evidence rooms and the impact that these kits have on communities and sexual assault response.  The report addresses victim notification and protocol when a kit is sent for testing and appropriate follow up. Read this special report....