Creating a Community Coordinated Response (CCR) and Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) in American Samoa

A Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and Community Coordinated Response (CCR) is made up of multidisciplinary team of professionals who partner to provide interagency coordinated response for sexual assault and domestic violence to meet the needs of victims, survivors and promote perpetrator accountability.

In July 2020, the Alliance held its first SART and CCR meeting with partners from, Tafuna Health Clinic, Department of Human Social Services, Attorney General’s Office, American Samoa Coalition against Domestic & Sexual Violence, and community advocates (i.e.  SOPHIAS, Mana Health, etc).  During our first meeting the group created a calendar for regular meetings to be held the third Thursday of every month.  Since then we have established a leadership structure, where the Alliance was designated to facilitate the meetings with support from partners.  The team identified strengths and gaps in local system as we discussed and research local data. 

In October of 2019 the group developed the following mission statement, “Working together to educate and promote awareness regarding domestic and sexual assault to improve support for victims in American Samoa.”  In January 2020 the group brainstormed on the work, about the victims, and the opportunities we would like to see happen to strengthen local response to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.  Many in the group stated, “I want to make a difference and see violence end.”  In order to do this, it is crucial the to build capacity, and everyone plays a role.
Over the next few months the SART CCR team will begin to prioritize areas for action by developing specific, measurable, attainable reachable, goals in a timely manner.  Please follow us as we continue to report SART/CCR meeting updates.