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Santa Clara Valley Healthcare/SART reports committee activities; committee asks about South County access and law‑enforcement suspect exams
Summary
Representatives from Santa Clara Valley Healthcare reported SART committee training, outreach and a low‑volume suspect‑exam program; the committee asked SART to continue building South County CAC access and coordination with Gilroy Police.
Representatives from Santa Clara Valley Healthcare presented a summary of Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) committee activities on June 26. Gigi Gill (Regional Medical Center nurse executive and SAFE program director) and Anna Anton (nurse manager, SAFE Plus) said the SART committee continues training, outreach to colleges and community groups, and coordination with other county and nonprofit partners.
SART activities and partnerships: Staff said SAFE Plus and SART engage in training and outreach at colleges and health fairs, provide forensic and medical advocacy coordination and work with law enforcement, advocacy groups and hospital partners on improving access and quality of care. The committee highlighted work with Evergreen and San Jose State and staff said they will attempt additional outreach to Gavilan College in Gilroy.
Suspect‑exam rollout and South County access: Committee members asked about a recently launched suspect exam service (evidence collection and photography for detained suspects within an early post‑assault window). SART staff said suspect exams are low‑volume, are performed when law enforcement requests them and that the program generally requires a warrant where necessary to ensure cooperation. The committee also asked about interim arrangements while a South County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) is being stood up; SART staff said they are participating in South County planning and noted that interim transportation and referral pathways have been arranged to allow survivors to access services at San Jose facilities when needed.
Action: The committee voted to receive the report. Vice Chairperson Young and Chairperson Arenas voted yes; motion carried.
What’s next: SART staff said they will continue to participate in South County CAC planning, strengthen relationships with Gilroy PD and other partners, and return with updates as the South County capacity is formalized.
