NCJ Number
111144
Date Published
1987
Length
81 pages
Annotation
This hearing before a California legislative committee in 1987 focused on possible legislative solutions to the problem of sexual assault in the State.
Abstract
Speakers included representatives of advocacy organizations, State agencies, the criminal justice system, and programs serving victims. They discussed the psychological impact of sexual assault, victim interactions with the criminal justice system, and services needed by victims. Recommendations included changing the societal attitudes that condone sexual assault and produce inappropriate responses to victims and perpetrators, and using the section of the State law that permits children under age 10 to testify via closed-circuit television. Further recommendations from speakers were to mandate appropriate training regarding sexual assault for all police officers and district attorneys and to urge district attorneys not to drop cases under the guise of protecting victims. Establishing a monitoring schedule to make sure that laws are implemented, expanding treatment and prevention efforts, addressing the problem of acquaintance rape, and using input from rape crisis centers in designing and implementing programs were also recommended. Questions and comments from legislators and written testimony.