One in four students has been or knows someone who has been assaulted, and of this number, 80 to 85 percent are assaulted by someone they know.

Patricia Harvey, coordinator for the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), said many women experience sexual assault.

“One in three women are assaulted in their life,” Harvey said. “We hope these people come forward.”

SART responds to a sexual assault victim’s needs by encouraging advocacy, law and justice and medical agencies to work together.

Story County is the first area in Iowa to receive funding for SART, which was provided by a $40,330 federal grant for Violence Against Women that is distributed by the Governor’s Alliance Against Substance Abuse.

The program also received an additional $13,443 in matching support grants, which were managed by the Department of Public Safety.

According to a press release, the goals of SART include increasing the skills of professionals and responding to the needs of victims.

Another goal of SART is to add services that reach underrepresented ethnic, cultural and language minorities, which make up 25 percent of Story County.

“Many weren’t aware of their rights or who to go to,” Harvey said. “SART is all about helping victims become survivors.”

Agencies involved in SART include DPS, Ames Police Department, Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support (ACCESS), ISU Student Health Center and Planned Parenthood.

“With SART, all the different components work together and understand each other,” said Julie DeVall McElroy, executive director of ACCESS.

ACCESS provides advocacy for victims by letting them know their choices, and by extending emotional support.

SART’s 24-hour sexual assault hotline is 296-6397.