SART Peers

What is SART Peers?

SART (Sexual Assault Resource Team) Peers is a peer-led, youth-based sexual violence awareness and prevention program that utilizes the enthusiasm and credibility of high school student leaders to inform youth about sexual violence, and how to support survivors.

SAVA Center trains high school students to conduct these presentations for peers at their own high school, and for middle school students at feeder schools. The goal of SART Peers is to reach every student, in every district, before they graduate high school.

SART Peers History

In 1993, a small group of law enforcement officers, victim advocates, and counselors in collaboration with Colorado State University’s Office of Women’s Programs launched a pilot program at Fort Collins High School called SART Peers. This program emerged from a growing need to reach students heading off to college with realistic information about sexual assault. Shortly after it was piloted, the program was recognized by the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA) as a model program.

In the fall of 1999, Poudre School District (PSD) formally adopted the program and hired a coordinator to ensure the program continued to grow and serve middle and high schools across the district. Once SAVA was formed into a stand-alone non-profit in 2003, a formal partnership was developed between SAVA and PSD. This partnership is still thriving today.  

SART Peers expanded into school districts in Weld County in 2014, shortly after SAVA Center formally began providing services in Weld County. SART Peers expanded again in 2019 into Estes Park School District, and again in 2019  into Thompson School District.

SART Peers is a one-time presentation that focuses on:

·       Sexual assault and sexual harassment

·       Myths and facts of sexual violence

·       Consent

·       Effective communication

·       Victim blaming

·       How to get help or help a friend

·       Bystander intervention

A Story of Success

At the end of a SART Peers presentation, a freshman student approached the SART Mentor and disclosed that she learned for the first time that what had happened to her in the 7th grade was not only considered sexual assault but was not her fault. The SART Mentor was offered emotional support and helped set the student up with internal school support and external support from SAVA.

Stories like this one happen frequently for SAVA’s SART Peers Program. They remind us how crucial prevention education continues to be.

Watch as SART Peer Educators describe what the SART Peers program means to them.

Interested in bringing SART Peers to your school?

Fill out the interest form below.

Prevention Interest Form

To learn more or to request SAVA Prevention Programming, please fill out the interest form below.