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Only 15 of Tennessee’s 95 counties comply with the law requiring a sexual assault response team – Tennessee Lookout


A year after a law was passed in Tennessee to establish sexual assault response teams, only 15 out of 95 counties have complied, leaving many victims without the support they need. The law, enacted in 2023, required each law enforcement agency to create multidisciplinary response teams comprised of professionals from various fields. However, lack of funding and accountability has hindered the implementation of these teams, leading to poorer outcomes for victims.

Jennifer Escue, executive director for the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, highlighted the disparities in the distribution of these teams across the state. In some areas, the collaboration between law enforcement and advocates has been lacking, resulting in delays in prosecuting perpetrators and providing support to survivors.

Senator Becky Massey, who sponsored the bill, acknowledged the need for more accountability and funding for the SART teams. She expressed willingness to work with advocates to address these issues in the upcoming legislative session.

Advocates like Rachel Freeman, president and CEO of the Sexual Assault Center in Nashville, are pushing for a similar funding model to child protective teams and domestic violence councils, which receive state funding for their coordination efforts. By implementing stronger accountability measures and providing adequate funding, advocates hope to improve the response to sexual assault cases in Tennessee and ensure that all counties have access to trained support teams.

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Photo credit tennesseelookout.com

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