Technical Assistance

The Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Technical Assistance (SAFE TA) project is designed to provide technical guidance for individuals and agencies utilizing the national protocol for sexual assault medical forensic examinations from the Department of Justice's Office of Violence Against Women. While the protocol was designed to lay the foundation for community based responses to sexual violence, the technical assistance project is an extension of that effort. As questions arise during the process of developing, implementing, refining and enhancing victim services in communities, the SAFE TA project is here to help.

The SAFE TA project combines the resources, expertise and experience of the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) who will provide the technical assistance to service providers and agencies serving victims of sexual assault. IAFN is assisted in this effort through partnerships with the Department of Justice's Office of Violence Against Women (OVW), the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR), the American Prosecutor's Research Institute (APRI), the Tribal Law and Policy Institute, the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV), and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).

SAFE TA Helpline - 877-819-SART
The SAFE TA helpline is operational Monday through Friday from 9am until 5pm EST. Messages left after hours will be returned within one business day.

Who can access SAFE TA?
SAFE TA provides technical assistance (TA) to service providers for victims of acute adolescent and adult sexual assault and to the agencies which serve them. These may include:

• Medical professionals

• Law enforcement officers

• Attorneys

• Victim advocates

• First responders

You can access TA by several ways:

• Call the SAFE TA helpline: 1-877-819-SART

• Request online TA