A local response team dedicated to assisting victims of sexual assault has received national recognition for the third straight year.

The Story County Sexual Assault Response Team – known as SART – was highlighted as an example of a successful community collaboration by the Urban Institute, a non-profit group that evaluates programs receiving federal funding, in a report presented to the National Institute of Justice in December.

“SART is a county-wide, multi-disciplinary team that collaborates to improve the response to sexual assault,” said Julie Harders, SART coordinator. “It is very important for us to remain focused on the needs and desires of the survivor.

“The idea behind this is completely survivor-centered – who they want to meet with and what resources they want to take advantage of.”

Programs across the country that receive funding through federal grants are evaluated to make sure the money is spent as it was intended, Harders said. Through this process, SART was selected as an exemplary program.

SART, which was organized in 1998, coordinates nine local agencies to help sexual assault victims, she said.

“All members of the team receive special training,” Harders said. “The requirements vary depending on the disciplines. There is advanced training and shadowing and on-going training through our monthly meetings.”

A police officer, a nurse and an advocate – who provides short-term crisis counseling – respond immediately to a victim’s call, Harders said.

Any information provided to the advocate is kept confidential, she said, and the victim is free to choose the course of action he or she wishes to take.

Ames Police Chief and former Department of Public Safety Director Loras Jaeger said the nine participating agencies are the Ames Police Department, Story County Sheriff’s Office, ISU DPS, Mary Greeley Medical Center, ISU Student Health Center, Planned Parenthood, ISU Student Counseling Services, Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support (ACCESS) and the Story County Attorney’s Office.

“[SART] is meeting and, in my estimation, exceeding, the expectations we set when the program began,” Jaeger said. “I have been impressed with the outcome of this team approach . I am enthusiastic to see it continue.”

SART can be contacted through any of the participating agencies or at Sexual Assault Support Services at 232-2303.