SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE SERVICES

SARS is not only comprised of the sexual assault response service but to the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) team, California Department of Health College Sexual Assault Prevention team (CDPH) and to the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).  Each program has their own niche yet is firm in the same foundation of the prevention of sexual assault.  Each program works closely with Antelope Valley Hospital Forensic Services team, has a 24 hour 7 days a week hotline, participate in community education and offer 1-1 crisis counseling.

SARS works with clients of all ages who have been victims of sexual or physical violence.  SARS volunteers and staff respond to the Antelope Valley Hospital, Palmdale Regional Medical Center or Kaiser Permanente 24 hours 7 days a week to assist victims of sexual and physical violence. A trained SARS advocate responds to the victim and stays with the victim from entry to the emergency room through recovery. When a sexual assault kit is approved by the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department the advocate will stay with the victim until the forensic exam is completed. The advocate provides emotional support, resources, and referrals, ensuring the victim’s rights are not violated, follow-ups and one on one counseling. Advocates respond to approximately 300 emergency room calls each year.

CDPH works primarily with Antelope Valley College and SOAR High School students and employees.  CDPH works with the administration to review campus policy and procedures ensure compliance with Title IX, Cleary Act, and VAWA and to help ensure the information is trauma-informed.  The mission is to change the campus culture from rape accepting culture to zero tolerance culture with active bystander intervention.  Each year students and faculty participate in education presentation on bystander intervention, healthy relationships and attend an original theater performance with talk about on healthy relationships.

SART works with other community programs and law enforcement to conduct case review, policy and procedures for responding to call of sexual and physical violence.  This team meets quarterly. The team facilitates educational classes on sexual assault prevention and is part of the Antelope Valley Human Trafficking task force. 

PREA works closely with California State Prison Lancaster on ending sexual assault within the prison system. Responding to the prison for sexual assault calls, offering 1-1 crisis counseling, and facilitating support groups.  PREA also works with the investigation team on creating trauma-informed material for inmates and participates in the CDCR new employee training.