ASHLAND — On a Tuesday morning in April, representatives from Ashland’s domestic violence shelter, area law enforcement and other area organizations gathered as the county’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).
Since 2018, the multidisciplinary team has met regularly to keep each other informed and better work together in how they respond to sexual assault in Ashland County.
“We look to collaborate to make sure we are providing trauma-informed response. We want to improve the care and not leave any gaps in service after someone has experienced sexual assault,” program director Rebecca Jentes said.
In April, a portion of the team met in-person, while others joined via a video-call. The team typically meets four times a year.
Members of team are expected to provide leadership and direction to domestic and sexual violence services in Ashland County. The group includes various community stakeholders, such as victim advocates, law enforcement, attorneys, the prosecutor’s office, health and medical professionals, educational professionals and other social service agencies.
This coordinated response aims to ensure victims are provided access to timely intervention, support, safety planning and resources.
“It’s nice to we can work well together. We stay on the same page, and it makes it easier because we can streamline the process,” Jentes said.
The team structure also helps the shelter to prepare victims.
“We can say, here’s who you will need to talk to,” Jentes said.
Anyone who has experienced sexual assault may reach out to Safe Haven’s 24-hour hotline at 419-289-8085 or visit safehavenofashland.org.
“We just want them to know they’re not alone, and we’ll help them through this process,” Jentes said. “However they choose to walk through it, we walk with them.”
