If you or someone you know suspects a sexual assault has taken place, please call our crisis hotline. 706-774-5200 | YOU ARE NOT ALONE! - If you or someone you know suspects a sexual assault has taken place, please call our crisis hotline. 706-774-5200 | YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
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Survivor Advocacy

At SARC, we understand that there is no way to fully prepare oneself for the trauma and violence of sexual assault. When an assault occurs, it may be difficult to fully comprehend what has happened or know what to do next. Our advocates approach each case with  culturally competent, trauma-informed sensitivity and attention, and they are trained to educate, support, and walk survivors through their post-assault needs.

24/7 Crisis Hotline

When a survivor calls the SARC crisis line, they will be immediately connected with an advocate. The advocate is trained to coordinate the crisis by meeting the survivor at the hospital, scheduling an exam at the center, or scheduling an interview with law enforcement. If a survivor is not yet ready to report or receive care, the advocate may simply listen to them, support them, and review their options with them.

This is a confidential, non-judgmental space that any survivor of sexual assault may use, no matter how long ago the assault happened.

What an Advocate Does

There are many kinds of professionals who respond to a sexual assault with different goals in mind. With so many things happening in a short time, it can be difficult to keep track of it all, especially right after an intensely emotional and invasive experience like sexual assault.

The advocate’s goal is to help the survivor make sense of each step in the process. The advocate is likely one of the first people to make contact with the survivor so that they can educate the survivor and review their options with them. Every survivor of sexual assault has the right to an advocate, whether at the hospital or in the center. At SARC, our advocates are trained to:

  • Provide education to survivors and their loved ones so they can make informed decisions about their care
    • Advocates will NOT make decisions for you
  • Act as a liaison between medical staff, law enforcement officers, and other service agencies
  • Accompany survivors during their forensic medical exams, if the survivor wishes
  • Accompany survivors during their law enforcement interviews, if the survivor wishes
  • Accompany survivors during court, if the survivor wishes
  • Protect survivors’ rights as the victim of a violent crime
  • Be a comforting, confidential, and respectful support person
  • Follow up with survivors to confirm appointments and give further assistance
  • Refer survivors and their loved ones to other support agencies (such as GA Legal Services Program, Safe Homes of Augusta, or counseling)
survivor advocacy
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Your Rights in Georgia

The State of Georgia has its own Crime Victims Bill of Rights which details the rights that every victim of the specified crimes (include sex crimes) has. You can find the Bill of Rights listed below among other notable rights that victims of sexual assault and rape possess in GA. To know more about these laws, you can visit the websites below.

www.pacga.org
www.cjcc.ga.gov

Georgia Crime Victims Bill of Rights

The Georgia Crime Victims Bill of Rights, O.C.G.A. 17-17-1, et seq., provides individuals who are victims of certain crimes (including sexual assault) specific rights. Effective January 1, 2019, with the passage of SB 127 and SR 146 (also known as Marsy’s Law), these rights are constitutionally protected and enforced (Georgia Constitution Art. I, Sect. I, Paragraph XXX).

It is the client’s responsibility to ensure that the criminal justice agencies overseeing their case have the client’s current contact information and are informed of their desire to be notified.

The Bill of Rights Includes:

  • The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of any scheduled court proceedings or any changes to such proceedings;
  • The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of the arrest, release, or escape of the accused;
  • The right not to be excluded from any scheduled court proceedings, except as provided by law;
  • The right to be heard at any scheduled court proceedings involving the release, plea, or sentencing of the accused;
  • The right to file a written objection in any parole proceedings involving the accused;
  • The right to confer with the prosecuting attorney in any criminal prosecution related to the victim;
  • The right to restitution as provided by law;
  • The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay; and
  • The right to be treated fairly and with dignity by all criminal justice agencies involved in the case.
  • The right to file a motion in the criminal case within 20 days of a court proceeding requesting to be heard if the victim has properly requested notification and is not given notice of said court proceeding.

In Addition to the Bill of Rights

Additional Georgia Statutes

  • The right to free forensic medical examination (FME) (GA Code § 17-5-72 (2024))
    • A victim shall have the right to have a forensic medical examination regardless of whether the victim participates in the criminal justice system or cooperates with law enforcement in pursuing prosecution of the underlying crime.
    • A victim shall not be required to pay, directly or indirectly, for the cost of a forensic medical examination. The cost of a forensic medical examination shall be paid for by the Georgia Crime Victims Emergency Fund, as provided for in Chapter 15 of this title.
  • The right to refuse a polygraph examination (GA Code § 17-5-73 (2024))
    • No prosecuting attorney, investigating law enforcement agency, or government official shall ask or require any victim of a sexual assault to submit to a polygraph examination or any other truth-telling device as a condition precedent to investigating such alleged crime.
    • The refusal of a victim to submit to a polygraph examination or any other truth-telling device shall not prevent an investigation or prosecution of any sexual assault.
  • GA Codes § 35-1-2 (2024) and § 17-5-71 (2024)
    • These codes detail a victim’s right for timely law enforcement response to the collection of evidence related to the assault. They also detail their right for—if the victim does not immediately report to law enforcement—the evidence to be kept no less than 12 months after collection and be given to GBI if the victim reports any time within those 12 months.

 

Rights of SARC Clients

  • The right to reasonable access to service, regardless of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender, culture, ethnicity, age, disability, or socioeconomic status
  • The right to considerate and respectful care with recognition of personal dignity, values, and beliefs
  • The right to be informed of any SARC rules and regulations that apply to clients
  • The right to be informed and participate in making decisions about the services clients receive
  • The right to individualized, humane, and quality services in the least restrictive setting
  • The right to personal privacy and confidentiality of information
  • The right to receive information in a manner and language that the client understands
  • The right to receive education about needs for services and to access those services
  • The right to refuse any services or treatment offered as permitted by law
  • The right to access a client’s own records
  • The right to file a complaint if any right has been restricted or denied

Have More Questions?

Visit our FAQs page to learn more about SARC services and find answers to common questions.

FAQs
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If you would like to ask us questions directly, you can call the crisis line or contact us below.

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