NCJ Number
44442
Date Published
1975
Length
42 pages
Annotation
GUIDELINES DEVELOPED AS MODELS FOR ADOPTION BY MARYLAND POLICE, HOSPITALS, AND OTHER AUTHORITIES ARE PRESENTED IN ORDER TO ASSIST WOMEN IN BEING LESS HESITANT TO REPORT SEXUAL ASSAULTS TO THESE AUTHORITIES.
Abstract
GUIDELINES ARE GIVEN FIRST FOR THE VICTIM OF A SEXUAL ASSAULT. ACTIONS WHICH SHE SHOULD TAKE AND THOSE SHE SHOULD NOT TAKE IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE ASSAULT ARE LISTED. THE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION SHE WILL BE GIVEN AT A HOSPITAL IS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL, WITH THE PURPOSE OF EACH TEST EXPLAINED. IMPORTANT FACTORS SHE SHOULD CONSIDER, INCLUDING POSSIBLE PREGNANCY, VENEREAL DISEASE, EMOTIONAL REACTIONS TO THE ENCOUNTER, AND ALTERNATIVE COURSES OF ACTION, ARE DESCRIBED. CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION, COURT PROCEDURES, AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS IN CASE OF FURTHER CONTACT BY THE ASSAILANT ARE DISCUSSED. THE RIGHTS OF THE VICTIM ARE EMPHASIZED, AND SHE IS ENCOURAGED NOT TO BE INTIMIDATED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES. MODEL HOSPITAL PROCEDURES FOR THE TREATMENT OF VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ARE OUTLINED. TESTS WHICH SHOULD BE CONDUCTED, PRESERVATION OF ALL POSSIBLE EVIDENCE, TREATMENT OF INJURIES, FOLLOW-UP CARE, AND ABOVE ALL, CONSIDERATION FOR FEELINGS OF THE VICTIM ARE DISCUSSED. A SAMPLE REPORT AND INSTRUCTIONS TO THE PATIENT INVOLVED IN A SEXUAL ASSAULT ARE INCLUDED. RECOMMENDED HANDLING OF A CASE BY POLICE, ASSIGNMENTS OF PERSONNEL TO SPECIAL RAPE SQUADS, TRAINING, AND TREATMENT OF VICTIMS ARE CONSIDERED IN THE GUIDELINES FOR POLICE. A SUGGESTED CHECKLIST FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IS INCLUDED. GUIDELINES FOR THE STATE'S ATTORNEY REGARDING HANDLING OF THE CASE AND PARTICIPATION OF THE VICTIM, AND FOR THE JUDICIARY AND THE BAR ASSOCIATION REGARDING RELEVANCE AND ADMISSIBILITY OF EVIDENCE AND CONDUCT TOWARD THE VICTIM IN COURT, ARE OUTLINED. A LIST OF THE MEMBERS OF THE MARYLAND COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN IS APPENDED. (VA)