Stories

Trauma-informed care and healing space for survivors of sexual assault

In the aftermath of a sexual assault, sensitive and effective evaluation, treatment and support require a highly trained, multi-disciplinary team and dedicated space. Until recently, the closest location for this specialized care was a 50-mile trek down the Cajon Pass. To offer this vital service close to home, Providence St. Mary Medical Center is establishing a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and creating a trauma-informed approach delivered in a specialized environment.

Through SART, Providence St. Mary is working alongside law enforcement, community-based victim advocates, prosecutors, mental health services and others to improve the coordination of services needed for those who courageously come forward. By bringing together these experts, SART provides a supportive progression through medical, legal, mental health and other essential touchpoints.

You can make a difference

Providence St. Mary is investing in resources to empower survivors, and donor support is essential for the initial launch and ongoing funding. With your help, we will better serve the High Desert and surrounding cities. Fundraising priority highlights include:

• Sexual assault response facility (SARF): We are repurposing existing space to create specially designated private facilities on our campus to address survivors’ unique forensic and medical needs during emergency treatment.
• Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Certification: We are enhancing education and training to certify our caregivers in forensic nursing, including culturally sensitive, developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed and patient-specific evaluation and treatment.
• Trauma-informed educational training: Our caregivers will attend national conferences and symposiums led by board-certified specialists focusing on responding to survivors while emphasizing their physical, psychological and emotional safety.

If you would like to help or want more information, please contact the Providence St. Mary Medical Center Foundation at 760-946-8841 or stmaryfoundation@providence.org.