EMERGENCY SERVICE BASED RAPE COUNSELING TEAM

• NCJ Number: 57221
• Journal: CONNECTICUT MEDICINE Volume: 42 Issue: 2 Dated: (FEBRUARY 1978) Pages: 91-94
• Author(s): W H FRAZIER; B MOYNIHAN
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Connecticut State Medical Soc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

AN EXAMINATION OF HOW AN EMERGENCY SERVICE-BASED RAPE COUNSELING TEAM CAN MEET A SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIM'S MEDICAL, PHYCHOLOGICAL, AND LEGAL NEEDS IS REVIEWED.

Abstract

WHILE USE OF THE YALE-NEW HAVEN HOSPITAL RAPE COUNSELING TEAM (Y-NHH R.C.T.) HAS INCREASED 600 PERCENT IN THE 2 1/2 YEARS SINCE ITS FOUNDING IN 1974, AN EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM'S EFFECTIVENESS IS HAMPERED BY THE REFUSAL OF MOST RAPE VICTIMS TO PROVIDE FOLLOWUP INTERVIEWS. HOWEVER, APPROXIMATELY 60 PERCENT OF THE PATIENTS ARE FOLLOWED FOR 6 WEEKS OR LONGER, AND THE MAJORITY EXPRESS GREAT APPRECIATION FOR THE EFFORTS OF THE TEAM. THE TEAM'S CASELOAD HAS GROWN FROM A MONTHLY AVERAGE OF 2.4 IN 1974 TO 13 CASES IN THE FIRST MONTH OF 1977. WHILE THE COMPOSITION OF SUCH A TEAM SHOULD VARY ACCORDING TO THE SERVICES AND PERSONNEL AVAILABLE AT THE SPONSORING INSTITUTION, THE MOST VALUABLE MEMBERS OF THE Y-NHH R.C.T. ARE THE COUNSELORS WHO COORDINATE THE SERVICES PROVIDED TO EACH PATIENT. COUNSELORS ARE USUALLY FEMALE REGISTERED NURSES OR SOCIAL WORKERS, PSYCHOLOGISTS, AND OTHER HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS. COUNSELORS ARE CAREFULLY SELECTED AND LEGAL PROCEDURES. LIAISION IS MAINTAINED WITH OTHER LEGAL PROCEDURES. LIAISON IS MAINTAINED WITH OTHER SUPPORTING AGENCIES WHICH AID THE VICTIM. THE MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF THE TEAM ARE PATIENT CARE, EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND CONSULTATION. ACCURATE AND COMPLETE RECORDS ARE KEPT BY THE TEAM AND ARE VIEWED AS A CRUCIAL ASPECT OF PATIENT CARE. THE EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS OF THE TEAM ARE DIRECTED TO IMPROVING TEAM MEMBERS AND EDUCATING OTHER CONCERNED PARTIES. RESEARCH IS AIMED AT DEVELOPING BETTER TREATMENT PROCEDURES, DISCOVERING SEXUAL ASSAULT PATTERNS, AND IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES. CONSULTATION IS PROVIDED NOT ONLY TO VICTIMS BUT TO OTHER GROUPS SEEKING TO SET UP SIMILAR PROGRAMS. FURTHER EVALUATION OF THE QUALITY AND APPROPRIATENESS OF SERVICES AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INTERVENTION IS NEEDED. (KCP)