The Charlotte County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) presented “Code Teal” kits to local hospitals today, in an effort to streamline the sexual assault examination process and provide additional comfort to victims.
The Charlotte County Sexual Assault Response Team is a multi-disciplinary group of professionals that work together to serve as the community network for Charlotte County raising awareness and ensuring the highest quality of assistance and compassion to victims of sexual abuse. The SART members compiled “Code Teal Kits,” which include everything that a nurse needs to conduct a sexual assault examination. The kits contain all of the items needed for the collection of evidence during an examination, and also contain a C.A.R.E. Survivor Bag. In the survivor bag are toiletries, a change of clothes, and other items of comfort for the sexual assault survivor to use during their stay in the emergency room.
“It’s important to all of us on the team that survivors of a sexual assault know that we are here for them and are dedicated to serving their needs,” stated Wendy S., Sexual Assault Program Manager for the Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies (C.A.R.E.).
The Charlotte County Sexual Assault Response Team, which includes members of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, also provides training to hospital staff on how to properly utilize the items in the kit.
Representatives from Fawcett Hospital and Bayfront Punta Gorda attended the presentation today. Kits will be delivered to all Charlotte County hospitals as well as Englewood Community Hospital and the Sarasota Memorial ER in North Port.
Katie Heck
Public Information Officer
Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office
kheck@ccso.org
Leave a Reply