Understanding how sexual violence happens on a local level, and designing then implementing changes to enhance strengths and close gaps in the response can lead to greater victim/survivor engagement in the legal process, improved criminal justice outcomes, and other tangible benefits. Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs) are a strategy for systems change. SARTs develop protocols, revise policies, and institute practices that center the victim experience and hold offenders accountable. Measuring the impact of these changes allows SARTs to continually improve how they respond so that all victims/survivors receive consistent, competent, and culturally-specific services.
SVJI offers technical assistance, training, and resources to existing and new-forming SARTs across Minnesota. We use a three-phase model of change to support SARTs in assessing their current response, making improvements to the response, and measuring their impact. SVJI has a number of tools and resources on topics such as team dynamics, protocol development, innovative practice, and victim/survivor engagement, to aid your community in making systems change.
We provide in-depth support to 12 Minnesota SMARTeams (Sexual Assault Multidisciplinary Action Response Teams) that receive funding from the Office of Justice Programs. We host trainings, develop tools, offer opportunities for networking and resource-sharing, build connections, and provide consultation to help SMART Site Coordinators enhance leadership skills, equitably engage team members, and facilitate a collaborative systems change process.
