Statewide recognition for START

Posted on September 23, 2015

Taylor County’s Sexual Trauma Assault Response Team (START) took on the task of becoming “trauma informed” and revised its protocol to reflect changes in how it responds to victims of sexual assault.

“We are a multi-agency team which consists of Refuge House, Guardian ad Litem, Doctors’ Memorial, the health department, state attorney’s office, sheriff’s office and police department, as well as juvenile justice, Apalachee behavioral health and Healthy Start,” said START Coordinator Brandi Turner.

The new protocol was so well received, it will be used in START trainings statewide.

PHOTO: Agency leaders signing the protocol included: (standing) Padraic Juarez, department of health; (l to r) Sheriff L.E. “Bummy” Williams, Guardian ad Litem’s Linda Peacock, Refuge House Executive Director Margaret Baldwin and Police Chief Jamie Cruse. Not pictured are hospital CEO Mary Lescher and State Attorney Jeff Siegmeister.

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