Suspected Abuse Response Team (SART)
The Suspected Abuse Response Team (SART) helps people who experience sexual assault, child abuse, or neglect by providing immediate and compassionate medical exams. Forensic medical exams are available with or without law enforcement involved.
What is the process?
Call for help
Begin by calling law enforcement, or if you aren't sure you want law enforcement involved, contact Lumina Alliance at 805-545-8888 (a 24-hour crisis and information line available to all survivors of assault or abuse, as well as their friends and loved ones).
For suspected abuse of children, immediately call law enforcement.
For general questions, call the SART office during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) at 805-781-4878.
Who is eligible?
SART is available to anyone, and responds to requests from law enforcement, Child Welfare Services, or Lumina Alliance.
When and where is this service offered?
SART is available at any time at the SART office in San Luis Obispo. Directions to our office are provided privately for discretion.
What is a forensic medical exam?
Specially trained nurses conduct forensic medical exams at the SART office, a calm and private setting. When a child is the patient, an age-appropriate exam is conducted by a pediatrician. Patients may have a counselor, advocate or other support persons present, if desired. (We can also connect you with advocates as needed.)
The patient is always in control of the process and may decline to proceed with any part of the examination. An adult forensic medical exam is comprehensive and includes:
- A medical history and description of the assault
- A complete head-to-toe assessment for signs of injury or trauma
- Collecting photographic and forensic evidence
- Treatment to prevent sexually transmitted diseases
- Referrals for follow-up medical treatment or counseling, as needed
Our goal is to ensure that people who experience abuse receive compassionate care and professional treatment that will support their emotional, mental and physical health to the fullest extent possible.
