YWCA established the St. Louis Regional Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) in 1989 with the mission of providing 24-hour crisis response services to survivors of sexual assault at area hospitals.

Five years later, a coalition of 20 service providers came together to expand and improve services for survivors in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County.

Today, SART responds to survivors of sexual and domestic violence, providing support to help survivors navigate reporting, the health care system, obtaining essential resources (such as safety planning, counseling, housing, transportation, and childcare), and the justice system—if the survivor chooses to pursue that option.

SART partners include YWCA advocates, law enforcement, EMS, hospitals, SANE nurses, human services agencies, and prosecuting attorneys who train together and commit to continuous improvement to return power and provide support to survivors.

Often, YWCA is the first call when a survivor presents at a hospital or police station. Our advocate’s role is to ensure the survivor understands the process, is able to ask questions, is heard, and that their power of choice—at every step—is restored.

Advocates remain available to provide emotional support, explain options, connect survivors to resources, and help them navigate systems at their own pace.

What the Process Can Look Like

Every survivor’s journey is different, and YWCA honors that. The steps below represent common points of support—survivors are always in control of what happens next.