MERCER COUNTY Response team will aid victims of sexual assault

The new unit is expected to increase prosecution of suspects.
MERCER, Pa. -- Law enforcement, health care specialists and a victim's advocacy group have joined together to form a Mercer County Sexual Assault Response Team.
The goal is to provide comprehensive and high quality care for victims of sexual assault through a multidisciplinary team approach.
The effort is expected to result in an increase in prosecution of those who commit sexual assaults, a crime that officials have said often goes unreported.
The team approach links Alternatives for Women: Advocacy, Resources and Education with the three local hospitals, the Mercer County district attorney's office and law enforcement officers.
Advocate
AWARE will provide a sexual assault advocate whose responsibilities will include assisting the victim in getting the necessary care and information from the other team members.
The advocate is also charged with providing emotional support, assistance and information to the victim and can be present during the law enforcement interview and the forensic examination.
Providing information about counseling services and accompanying the victim to follow-up medical and court proceedings are also part of the advocate's duties.
Other specialists
Each of the three hospitals, Sharon Regional Health System, UPMC Horizon (with facilities in Farrell and Greenville) and United Community Hospital in Grove City will provide a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner to the team.
The nurse examiner is a registered nurse who is trained to collect forensic evidence and to testify, if necessary, in sexual assault cases.
The law enforcement officer who investigates the crime will be expected to interview the victim in conjunction with the nurse examiner's interview. That officer will also be given the sealed forensics evidence kit by the nurse examiner so the chain of evidence can be maintained.
Finally, a prosecutor from the district attorney's office will work with law enforcement officers to gather evidence and determine if there is sufficient cause for an arrest.