Local advocacy groups have joined together in an attempt to better serve victims of sexual assault.

Today the first annual Sexual Assault Advocate Summit took place at Papa Chuck's in Zanesville bringing together members of Response, Angels in Action, Citizens Against Sexually Oriented Offenders, Parents of Murdered Children and Women Against Sexual Predators.

"Today we are in an attempt with our bi-annual SASS meeting attempting to make a state registry of those who deal with people afflicted with domestic violence and sexual crimes," said L. Wilson, CASOO.

The groups are hoping that by pulling their resources together it will help them to complete their individual goals easier.

"We were tired of running into road blocks as far as getting help and assistance when it comes to victims of sexual assault and so forth, so we decided that we were going to help everybody help each other and form some bonds with some other groups," said Tracy Golden, WASP.

The newly formed group is planning to meet bi-annually in the spring and fall.