Building Stronger Services for Survivors
Get to know the Grand Traverse County’s Sexual Assault Response Team
According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, 81 percent of women and 43 percent of men in the U.S. report experiencing “some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime.” One in five women “experienced completed or attempted rape.”
In northern Michigan, Munson-based Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Alexis Patterson tells Northern Express that “a little over one per 1,000 residents in one year have a sexual assault in Grand Traverse County,” a figure which she says is likely low based on underreporting of these incredibly personal types of crimes.
Patterson adds, “Every single case I have ever taken, they’ve known the person [perpetrator].”
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, so we sat down with Patterson and Michigan State Police Victim Services Advocate Mindy Hill to understand the scope of their work.
Starting a SART
Patterson and Hill are part of Grand Traverse County’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), which aims to provide wraparound services for local victims after an assault. Many cities and larger communities across the country have a SART, but it wasn’t until 2025 that one was formed in Grand Traverse County.
The team consists of nurses like Patterson, local and state law enforcement, the Women’s Resource Center, the Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center, Traverse City’s Coalition to Combat Human Trafficking, Munson Healthcare, and the county health department. The goal is to collaborate on cases and make sure that victims don’t fall through the cracks.
“We’re trying to be more system based to move these cases along and see where we could sharpen each of our individual agencies to be better at handling these cases,” Hill says.
The biggest hurdle the Grand Traverse County SART faces is the rural nature of northern Michigan, as they cover the eight affiliated Munson hospitals from Manistee to Gaylord to Charlevoix.
“There are probably a lot of people that either don’t know about these services or they have to travel two hours to get to them, [so feels like it’s] not doable for them,” Hill says.
But she adds that no matter where you are, “there’s always an answer for somebody, and there’s always somebody willing to help to make sure they get their needs met.”
What the Experience Is Like at the Hospital
For most victims of sexual assault, their journey begins with a visit to the hospital. Both Hill and Patterson highlight the importance of coming in as soon as possible, ideally to Traverse City’s Munson Medical Center, where the most resources await.
Munson Medical Center is where Patterson performs exams using a forensic kit, which helps collect DNA and other potential evidence. These kits are free in the state of Michigan but must be completed within a five-day window of the assault.
“The sooner we see them, the better,” Patterson explains. “That’s when we’re going to get the best evidence collection. You know, it’s tough, because a lot of people after that might want to go and shower and make themselves feel better. Ideally, everyone would come to us right away, and we would be able to collect all the evidence that we could while it was fresh.”
Patterson emphasizes that the exams are done with trauma-informed care, “giving the power back” to victims and “giving them the power of choice.”
Even if a victim does not want to have a forensic kit, Patterson still urges them to come to the hospital.
“Making sure that medically they’re okay is a big component of our job,” she says. “We just want to make sure that there’s not any injury that we need to take care of and then also still be able to give them resources going forward.” Patterson says that victims can also receive testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during their visit.
What Happens Next
After the exam is completed, the victim can turn over the kit to law enforcement. If they are not ready to do so—which can happen for a variety of reasons, Patterson says—Munson will keep the kit for a year so a victim could press charges at a later date. SANE nurses can be subpoenaed to provide their testimonies if a case goes to court.
This is also the stage where the rest of the SART team steps in. If a victim has not yet spoken to law enforcement, a SANE nurse or other advocate can help arrange that conversation.
Because these types of trauma are complex and lasting, patients that come in for a forensic exam will also receive a packet of information and next steps put together by the Women’s Resource Center. The hospital staff can also help patients access and understand other resources based on their needs.
“I have done a few male cases,” Patterson says. “In those situations, I’ve printed out resources that would apply to them.”
At the end of the day, the next steps are up to the survivor to take.
“I think it’s really hard sometimes to even make a phone call or know what next step to do,” Hill says. “Victim advocates can be really helpful in that. They’re not going to do it for you, but they can certainly come alongside you.”
Patterson concurs. “You’re not just going to go get your kit and then that’s it. Stuff is going on behind the scenes, and we care, and we’re working together as a community.”
If you or someone you know has experienced a sexual assault, you can contact the Grand Traverse County SART at info /at/ gtsart /dot/ org. You can also visit the state of Michigan Sexual Assault website, which has a 24/7 confidential and anonymous call/text hotline along with resources and healthcare options near you: michigan.gov/voices4/sexual-assault. The hotline number is 1-855-864-2374.
Partner Groups
Here’s what a few of the SART partners have to say about their roles:
Michigan State Police: “Michigan State Police can investigate sexual assault cases and also has a local victim advocate that can provide support and bridge the gap between the victim and law enforcement, making their experience more trauma informed. MSP Victim Services is victim-centered, making sure the victim is supported, connected to resources, and getting their questions answered.”
Traverse Bay Children’s Advocacy Center: “We offer prevention, intervention, advocacy, and therapy.”
Coalition to Combat Human Trafficking: “We are creating awareness and advocacy around sex trafficking by empowering the survivors on the way to reclaiming their life and educating the public with trainings and events. We help assess a survivor’s situation and offer resources for safety and relocation.”
Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office: “The Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office is committed to conducting thorough, victim-centered investigations of sexual assault.”
Women’s Resource Center: “Advocates provide support and compassionate care to victims of sexual harrassment, sexual assault, and rape. This includes ongoing support during the survivor’s physical and emotional healing journey. We offer immediate support and connections to critical resources and a 24-hour helpline. Services are private, confidential, and free of charge. Crisis shelter, legal advocacy, and support groups are also available.”