other nonacute medical concerns; and follow-up as needed to provide additional healing, treatment, or collection of evidence. This exam is referred to as the “forensic medical examination” under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Sexual assault response team (SART) also called a sexual assault response and resource team (SARRT): A SART/SARRT is a multidisciplinary team that provides specialized immediate response to victims of recent 25 Drawn from the American College of Emergency Physicians’ Evaluation and Management of the Sexually Assaulted or Sexually Abused Patient, 1999, Overview, p. 7. 18 sexual assault. The team typically includes health care personnel, law enforcement representatives, victim advocates, prosecutors (usually available on-call to consult with first responders, although some may be more actively involved at this stage), and forensic lab personnel (typically available to consult with examiners, law enforcement, or prosecutors, but not actively involved at this stage). However, SART/SARRT components vary by community. The term “SARRT” (written with two “R”s) stands for “Sexual Assault Response and Resource Team.” This term is used for communities that involve a wider array of agencies and disciplines in their collaborative effort. A SARRT (with two “R”s) will thus involve all of the first responders who are typically included in a SART (with one “R”), but it may also include professionals who coordinate services for victims beyond the immediate response (e.g., representatives from mental health, public health, substance abuse treatment, and other social services). Many of these SARRTs meet monthly and often engage in systems review to ensure that the best victim-centered services are being provided in their communities. Suspected sex offender: A suspected sex offender is an individual suspected of committing a sexual assault. In this document, the suspected sex offender is typically referred to as a “suspect.” When litigation is discussed, the suspected sex offender may be referred to as a “defendant.” When talking more broadly about sex offenders, they may be referred to as “sex offenders,” “assailants,” or “perpetrators.” Victim: A sexual assault victim is someone who has been sexually assaulted. In this document, a victim can be a female or male; a person whose gender identity may not conform to his or her sex, or may be someone who doesn’t identify as either male or female; either adult or adolescent. There may be instances where individuals, such as unconscious persons or persons with cognitive disabilities, do not actually disclose that they have been assaulted, but others suspect that this may be this case and may be lawfully able to seek help for them. The term “survivor” is used in this document when referring to victims who are involved in long-term healing or have healed from sexual assault. It is important to note that because this document addresses a multidisciplinary response, the term “victim” is not used in a strictly criminal justice context. The use of “victim” simply acknowledges that persons who disclose they have been sexually assaulted should have access to certain services and interventions designed to help them be safe, recover, and seek justice. The term “patient” is also used when discussing the role of medical providers. Victim service provider/advocate: A victim service provider/sexual assault victim advocate (also referred to as “victim advocate” and “advocate”) may offer victims and their significant others a range of services during, and following, the exam process. These services may include support, crisis intervention, information and referrals, interpretation or translation, and advocacy to ensure those victims’ interests are represented, their wishes respected, and their rights upheld. In addition, advocates and other victim service providers may provide follow-up services, such as support groups, counseling, accompaniment to related appointments, and legal advocacy (civil, criminal, and immigration) to help meet the needs of victims, their families, and friends. A number of agencies may offer some or all of the services described above, including community-based sexual assault victim advocacy programs,26 criminal justice system victim-witness offices, patient advocate programs at health care facilities, campus or military victim service programs, tribal social services, adult protective services, and others. Where they exist, community-based sexual assault victim advocacy programs are typically best positioned to provide these specific services. Community-based advocacy programs may use paid and/or volunteer advocates to provide services 24 hours a day, every day of the year. It is important to know that information victims share with government-based service providers usually becomes part of the criminal justice record, while community-based advocates typically can provide some level of confidential communication for victims. In addition, community-based advocates commonly receive education specific to the medical forensic exam process and sexual assault issues in general. Victim-centered: A “victim-centered” approach as used in this protocol recognizes that sexual assault victims are central participants in the medical forensic exam process, and they deserve timely, compassionate, respectful, and appropriate care. Victims have