Although the rate of violent crime in south LOS angeles is more than twice as high as for LOS angeles as a whole, the area lacks a dedicated sexual assault response team (sart)

The Young Women's Christian Association of Greater Los Angeles, California (YWCA GLA) will establish a dedicated Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) site in the 37th Congressional District of Los Angeles to address gaps in care for survivors of sexual violence. Through a $300,000 Project Grant from the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance, YWCA GLA will coordinate immediate and long-term crisis intervention, counseling, medical care, advocacy services, and engagement with law enforcement and the criminal justice system for survivors. As part of the Congressionally Recommended Awards program (CFDA #16.753), the funding will support YWCA GLA's identification of hospital, forensic, and law enforcement partners for the new SART; training; 24/7 survivor accompaniment; and forensic exam and prosecution coordination through September 2024. Outreach and education will be centered at YWCA GLA's Rosa Parks Rape Crisis Center while its 24/7 hotline continues operating. The grant aims to establish equitable access to sexual assault services for low-income communities of color in South Los Angeles.

Without this dedicated multidisciplinary team, comprising a forensic examiner, law enforcement officer, victim advocate, and deputy district attorney, survivors must travel beyond their home community for crisis intervention/counseling, medical care, supportive services, advocacy, and criminal justice services. As survivors in south L.A. Are largely low-income people of color, this GAP in care represents a racial equity issue. The largest provider of sexual violence prevention and intervention programs in LOS angeles county, the young women christian association greater LOS angeles california (ywca GLA) seeks to address this health disparity by establishing a sart site in the 37TH congressional district and coordinating its immediate and longer-term services. Already the victim advocate for the two sarts in closest proximity to south L.A., the ywca GLA's sexual assault crisis services division is a recognized leader in the field. The organization will identify the hospital partner(s), forensic team, and law enforcement representatives; train all members; provide 24-hour survivor accompaniment to hospitals, police stations, and court; and coordinate forensic exam services and district attorney services. Its rosa parks rape crisis center will be the base of operations for outreach and sexual assault education workshops for residents and community service providers while continuing to operate a 24/7/265 rape crisis hotline.