NCJ Number
177994
Date Published
1997
Length
109 pages
Annotation
Victims of domestic assault and sexual assault and representatives of Maryland programs and local management boards dealing with domestic assault and sexual assault were surveyed to determine the nature and extent of Maryland's coordinated community response to these problems.
Abstract
The research focused on the elements of each community's response, the groups represented in the community coordinating council, and the council's functions. Only 39 percent of the domestic violence programs and 35 percent of the sexual assault programs reported a working relationship with pretrial services, presenting a problem for victims at a critical time directly after an assault or when charges are filed. Only 22 percent of the domestic violence programs and 35 percent of the sexual assault programs reported a working relationship with the juvenile court. Findings indicated a clear lack of police policy on transporting victims of domestic assault to a safe place or ensuring that the victim receives medical attention. Seventy-two percent of the responding local management boards stated that they would not or could not provide leadership in addressing the issues of domestic violence and sexual assault. Local programs and the boards need to be educated about one another and for domestic assault and sexual assault to be considered issues that have impacts on families and communities. Findings suggested four models of coordinated community councils and the need for many changes in the areas of criminal justice system awareness, community organizing, comprehensive training, and data collection and analysis. Profiles of each county and its responses and appended survey instruments and background materials