CPD Organizes and Hosts First Sexual Assault Response Team Meeting

The Cambridge Police Department organized and hosted the city’s first Sexual Assault Response Team meeting this morning. The meeting, which comes on the heels of the department’s trauma-informed law enforcement training, is being held to network with partners, review best practices, and identify gaps in services to create a seamless process for survivors as they navigate their way through the criminal justice system. 

The initial meeting was well attended and featured members of the Cambridge Police Department, MIT Police, Cambridge Emergency Communications, Marian Ryan and the the Middlesex District Attorney's Office, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, the Transition House, the City of Cambridge (Official) Office of Domestic and Gender-Based Violence Prevention, Cambridge Health Alliance, Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, the DASI : Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault Intervention Services Network, the Community Legal Services & Counseling Center (CLSACC) and others.

During the meeting, Cambridge Police Commissioner Branville Bard said, “Ultimately, we all want to help survivors receive the best care and support that’s possible. This collaboration will greatly help the involved organizations better understand each other’s capabilities, policies and procedures. If necessary, these meetings will also provide opportunities for the organizations to make any refinements to ensure that optimal support is being provided.”