Policy Analysis of SB 1123: Sexual Assault Response Team Statewide Coordinator

Publication Date

Spring 4-15-2025

Presentation Length

15 minutes

College

College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Department

Social Work, Department of

Student Level

Undergraduate

SPARK Category

Research

Faculty Advisor

Dr. Jennifer Crowell Thompson

WELL Core Type

Intellectual Wellness

SPARK Session

Social Justice & the 114th TN General Assembly; Policy Impact Presentations

Presentation Type

Talk/Oral

Summary

Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART) were first introduced in Tennessee in 2023 through Tennessee Title 38 and were intended to be fully implemented by 2024. However, this did not happen and as a result, strengthening of SART policies has been a focus of the Tennessee General Assembly. Senate Bill 1123 advocates for creating a statewide coordinator for the Sexual Assault Response Teams in Tennessee. Sexual assault is a widespread and incredibly pertinent social welfare issue that social workers encounter across a wide spectrum. Senate Bill 1123 has an initiative towards ensuring that there are teams equipped with the proper resources to be competent in identifying, intervening, reporting, and advocating for sexual assault prevention and response within a variety of workplaces. Having a sexual assault response coordinator would help improve the efficacy of the existing SART teams and verify that proper training is in place. The addition of this position makes it more feasible for the SART teams to be properly organized so that the initiative towards advocating for sexual assault prevention, identification, and rehabilitation is enforced. The SART coordinator will be an employee of the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence and will be obligated to work closely with the executive director to create sexual assault training programs, oversee the SART teams, ensure that laws are upheld, and provide necessary resources. To make the impact that this law seeks, there is a need for grants from the Department of Finance and Administration and the Office of Criminal Justice Programs. Currently, only 15 of the 95 counties in Tennessee comply with the SART team law, which is why implementing Senate Bill 1123 is crucial for addressing sexual assault in the state.

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