Commonly Asked SART Questions
Are SART services free?
Yes! All our services are free.
Are SART Advocates confidential?
We have strict confidentiality policies. Your privacy and safety are our biggest priorities. We will keep anything you tell us confidential. We will not share your information with anyone outside of SARSSM unless you give us written permission. There are some exceptions to our confidentiality, including our role as mandated reporters. You can learn more about that here.
If I work with SART, will I have to report my assault to the police?
No. SART Advocates can walk you through filing a police report if you want to file one. We will never pressure you to file a police report or report for you. We understand that there are lots of reasons why people may not want to file a report. We trust you to make decisions that are best for you. SART Advocates will never speak to the police about your case without your permission.
If I work with SART, will I be required to go to the hospital to get an exam?
No. Our advocates can explain your medical care options. You can choose which services you would like to receive if you go to the hospital. We can send one of our advocates to meet you there to support you.
Is my SART Advocate a survivor?
Our SART Advocates do this work because they believe in supporting survivors. Advocates focus their time and energy on meeting their client’s needs rather than sharing their experiences.
I feel most comfortable working with a SART Advocate with the same gender as me. Can I make that request?
We are proud to serve clients of all gender identities, including women, men, transgender, and nonbinary survivors. You can ask to work with a SART Advocate who shares your identity. We will do our best to accommodate you. We cannot guarantee certain staff availability.
Can my SART Advocate offer legal advice?
No. Our SART Advocates cannot offer legal advice. They can make referrals for free legal services, help you through court processes, and support you in court.
Are SART Advocates trained, licensed mental health professionals?
No. SART Advocates are trained in providing specialized advocacy services for survivors. They are not qualified to provide mental health care or crisis support. They can refer clients to local mental health services.
When is my SART Advocate available? Can I reach them by calling the 24-hour sexual assault helpline?
SART Advocates cannot be reached through our 24-hour helpline. Clients have their SART Advocate’s contact information. They may not be able to respond right away. SART Advocates can also schedule regular times to check in with their clients.
SART Advocates are available Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm. They cannot respond outside of those hours. You can call our 24-hour helpline at 1-800-871-7741 if you need help outside of SART Advocates’ work hours. We always have helpful and compassionate advocates available to speak to clients.
Can SART support me if I don’t speak English?
Yes! Some of our SART Advocates can speak to clients in their shared language. We can also use a phone-based or in-person interpreter. Clients do not pay for the interpreter.
We also work closely with the Immigrant Resource Center of Maine. They provide culturally sensitive services. We are happy to refer clients to them.
Can SART help me if I am deaf or hard of hearing?
Yes! SART Advocates support clients who use TTY through Maine Relay. They also use texting, email, and other non-verbal communication with clients. For in-person services, SART Advocates work with Pine Tree Society interpreters. Clients do not pay for the interpreter.
Can SART support me if I have a disability?
Yes! SART Advocates have experience working with survivors with intellectual and physical disabilities. Many have specialized training in the needs of survivors with disabilities. Our office has elevators, a ramp at the entry, and a shared accessible bathroom.
How long can a client work with SART?
SART Advocates support clients while clients are working with systems. When a client’s system needs are resolved, SART Advocates will make a plan with the survivor to connect them to other supports if needed. A client can choose to end their work with SART at any point and for any reason.
Can SART Advocates choose to discontinue services?
Yes. SART Advocates cannot work with clients on issues that aren’t related to sexual violence. SART Advocates may find that a client would be better served by other services and can refer them if needed. SART Advocates can discontinue services if clients misuse SART or if they are inappropriate with the SART Advocate.
Where can I submit positive feedback, a concern, or a complaint about my SART work?
You can contact us if you have a concern or complaint about SARSSM staff or services. You can also contact us if you believe that you have been discriminated against. Here is how to contact us:
To view SARSSM's policy and process for responding to complaints from the public, please click here.
Yes! All our services are free.
Are SART Advocates confidential?
We have strict confidentiality policies. Your privacy and safety are our biggest priorities. We will keep anything you tell us confidential. We will not share your information with anyone outside of SARSSM unless you give us written permission. There are some exceptions to our confidentiality, including our role as mandated reporters. You can learn more about that here.
If I work with SART, will I have to report my assault to the police?
No. SART Advocates can walk you through filing a police report if you want to file one. We will never pressure you to file a police report or report for you. We understand that there are lots of reasons why people may not want to file a report. We trust you to make decisions that are best for you. SART Advocates will never speak to the police about your case without your permission.
If I work with SART, will I be required to go to the hospital to get an exam?
No. Our advocates can explain your medical care options. You can choose which services you would like to receive if you go to the hospital. We can send one of our advocates to meet you there to support you.
Is my SART Advocate a survivor?
Our SART Advocates do this work because they believe in supporting survivors. Advocates focus their time and energy on meeting their client’s needs rather than sharing their experiences.
I feel most comfortable working with a SART Advocate with the same gender as me. Can I make that request?
We are proud to serve clients of all gender identities, including women, men, transgender, and nonbinary survivors. You can ask to work with a SART Advocate who shares your identity. We will do our best to accommodate you. We cannot guarantee certain staff availability.
Can my SART Advocate offer legal advice?
No. Our SART Advocates cannot offer legal advice. They can make referrals for free legal services, help you through court processes, and support you in court.
Are SART Advocates trained, licensed mental health professionals?
No. SART Advocates are trained in providing specialized advocacy services for survivors. They are not qualified to provide mental health care or crisis support. They can refer clients to local mental health services.
When is my SART Advocate available? Can I reach them by calling the 24-hour sexual assault helpline?
SART Advocates cannot be reached through our 24-hour helpline. Clients have their SART Advocate’s contact information. They may not be able to respond right away. SART Advocates can also schedule regular times to check in with their clients.
SART Advocates are available Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm. They cannot respond outside of those hours. You can call our 24-hour helpline at 1-800-871-7741 if you need help outside of SART Advocates’ work hours. We always have helpful and compassionate advocates available to speak to clients.
Can SART support me if I don’t speak English?
Yes! Some of our SART Advocates can speak to clients in their shared language. We can also use a phone-based or in-person interpreter. Clients do not pay for the interpreter.
We also work closely with the Immigrant Resource Center of Maine. They provide culturally sensitive services. We are happy to refer clients to them.
Can SART help me if I am deaf or hard of hearing?
Yes! SART Advocates support clients who use TTY through Maine Relay. They also use texting, email, and other non-verbal communication with clients. For in-person services, SART Advocates work with Pine Tree Society interpreters. Clients do not pay for the interpreter.
Can SART support me if I have a disability?
Yes! SART Advocates have experience working with survivors with intellectual and physical disabilities. Many have specialized training in the needs of survivors with disabilities. Our office has elevators, a ramp at the entry, and a shared accessible bathroom.
How long can a client work with SART?
SART Advocates support clients while clients are working with systems. When a client’s system needs are resolved, SART Advocates will make a plan with the survivor to connect them to other supports if needed. A client can choose to end their work with SART at any point and for any reason.
Can SART Advocates choose to discontinue services?
Yes. SART Advocates cannot work with clients on issues that aren’t related to sexual violence. SART Advocates may find that a client would be better served by other services and can refer them if needed. SART Advocates can discontinue services if clients misuse SART or if they are inappropriate with the SART Advocate.
Where can I submit positive feedback, a concern, or a complaint about my SART work?
You can contact us if you have a concern or complaint about SARSSM staff or services. You can also contact us if you believe that you have been discriminated against. Here is how to contact us:
- Call our Executive Director, Gina Capra at 207-828-1035, ext. 100.
- Email Gina.
- Write to Gina at P.O. Box 1371, Portland, ME 04104.
To view SARSSM's policy and process for responding to complaints from the public, please click here.
