Committed to Education, Support, and Prevention at Georgia Southern University
The Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) at Georgia Southern University is dedicated to raising awareness about sexual assault, enhancing campus safety, and coordinating effective responses for survivors within the Georgia Southern community. Through education, awareness campaigns, and community partnerships, SART aims to reduce the incidence and stigma surrounding sexual violence.
SART is committed to continually updating services for survivors and ensuring that all students understand: you are not alone.
Key Functions of SART
The Sexual Assault Response Team performs a range of functions that support prevention, response, and education, including:
- Programming Development and Implementation
- Coordination of Response Services & Protocols
- Training
- Curriculum Development
- Consultation
- Community Engagement
- Fundraising
- Research
- Participation in Local Judicial Circuit SARTs
Statewide & National Impact
SART has contributed significantly to sexual assault awareness programming at the national level. The team has been recognized at professional conferences and by prominent activists for its leadership and impact.
- In 2007, SART founded the Georgia College Sexual Assault Association Network to help coordinate statewide legislative reform for sexual violence.
- In 2008, SART received the Gold Excellence Award from NASPA for outstanding health and wellness programming.
History of SART
Founded in 1997, SART ensures a coordinated, consistent response to sexual assault cases on campus. Its mission has grown to include prevention efforts and risk-reduction programs for key campus populations, including:
- First-Year Experience students
- Greek organizations
- Athletic teams
- Residence halls
- Local law enforcement and legal professionals
SART was instrumental in refining sexual assault policies within Georgia Southern’s Student Conduct Code, helping to clarify definitions and consequences of sexual misconduct.
In 2002, two former outreach groups, ASAP and SAFE, merged to form SAPA (Sexual Assault Prevention Advocates)—recognized as an official student organization in 2004. In 2010, SAPA rebranded as Sexual Assault Student Educators (SASE) to better reflect their educational mission.
Expanding Outreach & Community Impact
SART’s influence has extended beyond the university to the broader region. When the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit developed a tri-county sexual assault response protocol, SART’s campus model served as the foundation.
To address the lack of local crisis services, SART collaborated with residents to help establish the Statesboro Regional Sexual Assault Center (SR-SAC). Since its inception, SART’s chair has served as an active board member. SR-SAC now operates as the official sexual violence response agency of the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit, with its own executive director, administrative office, and community board.
Join the Sexual Assault Response Team
SART is a multidisciplinary team that includes members from on-campus departments and off-campus organizations. Participation is voluntary and open to all Georgia Southern faculty and staff across the Statesboro, Armstrong, and Liberty campuses.
How to Join
- Time commitment is flexible—some members simply join the Google group while others engage in programming and planning.
- Virtual meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m.
- To join, faculty and staff may submit a request via the button below.
SART Calendar
Current Departmental & Organizational Members
- Academic Success Center
- Advisement
- Athletics
- Campus Recreation & Intramurals
- Counseling Center
- Dean of Students Office
- Department of Health Sciences & Kinesiology
- Department of Psychology
- Equal Opportunity & Title IX
- Fraternity & Sorority Life
- Health Services
- Housing
- Inclusive Excellence
- Leadership & Community Engagement
- Military Resource Center
- Office of Multicultural Affairs
- Office of Student Activities
- Parker College of Business
- Mary’s Place: Advocacy, Prevention & Sexual Assault Center of the Coastal Empire
- Sexual Assault Student Educators
- Student Accessibility Resource Center
- TRIO Student Support Services
- Student Wellness & Health Promotion
- The Teal House: Statesboro Regional Sexual Assault and Child Advocacy Center
- University Police Department
- Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies