Sexual Assault Response Team

Townsville region's Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is a partnership between hospital staff, specialist sexual assault support workers and counsellors, investigators, and lawyers to support all people (14 years and older) who have experienced sexual assault, recently or in the past.

SART is available 24-hours a day and provides an immediate, personalised and holistic response to help a person who has been sexually assaulted or raped to make informed choices that meet their individual needs.

What is sexual assault?

Sexual assault is a crime and can happen to anyone. It is defined as any sexual activity that a person has not consented to and includes any sexual behaviour that makes a person feel uncomfortable, pressured or scared. Sexual assault does not always involve physical harm. 

There are other words that can be used to describe someone’s experience of sexual assault, such as sexual violence or rape.

[feature-block]

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call 000 at any time. If it is an emergency, you can attend your local police station or present to a hospital emergency department.

Sexual Assault Support Service: 4775 7555

Townsville University Hospital: 4433 1111

Sexual Crimes Unit: 4759 9743 

[/feature-block]

What we do

SART provides free and confidential services, including 

• Immediate trauma and violence-informed emotional and social support
• Information and advocacy about rights and options
• Medical support for general and sexual health needs
• Forensic medical examinations 
• Follow-up support and referrals
• Ongoing and longer-term counselling
• Support through the criminal justice process and in court
• Outreach response and support

Who we are

SART includes

• Medical and allied health staff as well as forensic examiners from the Townsville Hospital and Health Service
• Support workers and counsellors from the Sexual Assault Support Service
• Investigators from the Sexual Crimes Unit of the Queensland Police Service 
• Lawyers from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

Townsville Sexual Assault Support Service

The Sexual Assault Support Service provides immediate and ongoing, specialist support and counselling for people who have experienced sexual assault.

[expand]

This support is personalised to meet an individual's choices and needs, no matter what decisions they make. 

The service prioritises the safety, rights, and choices of individuals to support them to make informed decisions about what to do after a sexual assault.

Ongoing support is available through all steps of this personal journey.

Contact the Townsville Sexual Assault Support Service: 4775 7555

[/expand]

Townsville Hospital and Health Service

The Townsville Hospital and Health Service provides medical care when a person presents to an emergency department or health service after sexual assault.

[expand]

Medical professionals at the hospital will assess injuries and discuss medical concerns like sexually transmitted infections or the risk of pregnancy.

If the sexual assault is recent, a forensic examination can be arranged with consent. A forensic examination can be conducted with or without police involvement. This is to collect evidence and document any injuries. Specialised nurses or medical officers conduct these examinations with support from a Sexual Assault Support Service worker. 

[/expand]

Queensland Police Service - Sexual Crimes Unit 

Investigators from the Sexual Crimes Unit can advise people who have been sexually assaulted of their rights and choices and can begin the process of a criminal investigation.

[expand]

Reporting sexual assault to police is a personal decision. The Sexual Assault Support Service provides support during this process.

[/expand]

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is responsible for the prosecution of sexual crimes in the Queensland court system.

[expand]

If a sexual assault is reported to police, the matter may go to court. As part of SART, lawyers work closely with the Sexual Assault Support Service worker to ensure people are informed and supported through the court process.

[/expand]

Contact us

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault you can call 000 at any time. If it is an emergency you can attend your local police station or present to a hospital emergency department.

Sexual Assault Support Service:  4775 7555

Townsville University Hospital: 4433 1111

Sexual Crimes Unit: 4759 9743