Six months after reaching full operational capacity, Providence St. Mary Medical Center’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) is already demonstrating the urgent need for local, specialized care for survivors of sexual violence.
From July through December 2025, more than 30 survivors received forensic medical exams through the hospital’s SART program. During that same period, the program supported nearly 300 patients overall, including 240 individuals who received care related to domestic violence and other cases.
Meanwhile, San Bernardino County crime data — as with similar figures elsewhere — offers limited context, reflecting only reported cases of rape and not the full scope of sexual violence. National research consistently shows that sexual violence is widely underreported and that most reported cases do not result in prosecution or accountability. As a result, reported rape figures often understate the level of need, particularly in regions like the High Desert, where access to specialized services has historically been limited.
At the same time, law enforcement, survivor advocates and health-care partners have long described an additional burden: for years, survivors in the High Desert were routinely transported out of the region —often more than 50 miles away — to receive specialized services during an already time-sensitive and traumatic moment.
“Access matters,” said Katie Berrios, MSN, FNP-C, the SART Program Manager at Providence St. Mary. “In the immediate aftermath of sexual violence, survivors are faced with critical decisions that affect their health, recovery and, if they choose, any potential investigation. Having specialized, compassionate care available locally removes a significant barrier during that critical window. Our SART nurses are the heart of this work, providing skilled, trauma-informed care that allows survivors in the High Desert to receive that support close to home.”
Providence St. Mary’s SART, and its Sexual Assault Response Facility (SARF), reached full operational capacity in August 2025. Berrios leads a dedicated team of specially trained forensic nurse examiners who work in partnership with advocates and community organizations to provide services and resources.
Survivors are treated in a secure, private setting designed to prioritize patient choice, dignity and safety. The SART program offers specialized medical and forensic exams, immediate connection to crisis counseling and advocacy, collaboration with law enforcement when requested by survivors, and follow-up care and referrals, including access to mental health and community resources.
The hospital’s ability to establish and sustain the SART reflects a broad base of donor and community support. Our First District staff recently met with SART nurses and toured the facility.
“Programs like SART exist because a community comes together around a shared responsibility to care for survivors of sexual violence,” said Nicole Orr, Chief Philanthropy Officer and President of the Providence St. Mary Medical Center Foundation. “The need for this program was clear, and philanthropic investment is allowing us not only to sustain this work, but to learn from it and use data and experience to strengthen and expand access as the program matures. We are deeply grateful to the donors and partners who make SART possible.”
With only a limited number of forensic nurses serving San Bernardino County’s 2.2 million residents, Providence St. Mary’s SART program plays a vital role in expanding access to care, reducing barriers for survivors and strengthening coordination across healthcare, advocacy and public safety partners.
“This work is about meeting people where they are,” Berrios said. “The early data shows that when care is accessible, survivors use it. Our focus now is sustaining and strengthening this support for those we serve.”
I’m proud to support Providence St. Mary Medical Center in establishing the High Desert’s first SART program. The investments made in this program put survivors first by ensuring they receive high-quality treatment in a safe, local setting. I commend Providence St. Mary — and their entire staff — for putting so much time and energy into bringing this program into existence. I’m confident the treatment they provide will help change lives for the better.