NCJ Number
61712
Date Published
Unknown
Length
25 pages
Annotation
THIS FINAL REPORT ON THE METROPOLITAN ORGANIZATION TO COUNTER SEXUAL ASSAULT (MOCSA) IN KANSAS CITY, MO., EXAMINES THE PROJECT'S BACKGROUND, NATURE, AND ELEMENTS APPLICABLE TO PROGRAMS ELSEWHERE.
Abstract
MOCSA EVOLVED FROM LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT STUDIES SHOWING THAT THE PROBABILITY OF BEING RAPED DEPENDED ON VULNERABILITY RATHER THAN DRESS OR BEHAVIOR, AND FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERDISCIPLINARY ADVISORY GROUP ON SEXUAL ASSAULT. FAILURE OF VICTIMS TO REPORT CRIMES AND TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH PROSECUTION WAS PERCEIVED AS THE MAIN PROBLEM. MOCSA THEREFORE CONCLUDED THAT ITS EFFORTS SHOULD FOCUS ON THE IDENTIFICATION, ARREST, PROSECUTION, AND INCARCERATION OF RAPISTS. IT CONCENTRATED ON GETTING VICTIMS TO TESTIFY IN COURT AND ON DEVELOPING NONJUDGMENTAL ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR AMONG ALL PEOPLE INTERACTING WITH RAPE VICTIMS. MOCSA RECOGNIZED UNIQUE ASPECTS OF RAPE CASES AND OBSTACLES TO REPORTING AND PROSECUTION. OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDED SUPPORTING PROPER COLLECTION OF EVIDENCE THROUGH ACCREDITED MEDICAL FACILITIES AND EDUCATING POLICE, PROSECUTORS, AND THE PUBLIC. BASED ON THE MOCSA EXPERIENCE, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A RAPE PREVENTION SYSTEM INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING COMPONENTS: 1) A SENSOR MECHANISM (CRISIS LINES AND EMERGENCY ROOM TEAMS) TO TRIGGER SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, CONTACT WITH THE VICTIM BY KNOWLEDGEABLE POLICE OFFICERS, (3) PROVISION OF A MEDICAL SETTING FOR THE RETRIEVAL OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE, (4) A PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE SEX CRIMES UNIT TO HELP DEVELOP ALL POTENTIAL EVIDENCE; (5) KNOWLEDGEABLE EMOTIONAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT FOR THE VICTIM; (6) ASSIGNMENT OF A PERSON DESIGNATED AS THE VICTIM ADVOCATE; AND (7) A PERMANENT FORUM IN WHICH ALL THE RESPONDING AGENCIES CAN HAVE AN EQUAL VOICE AND EQUAL IMPACT ON SOLVING PROBLEMS. PREVENTION OF RAPE THROUGH REHABILITATION OF RAPISTS IS CURRENTLY AN UNREALISTIC GOAL. EFFORTS SHOULD THEREFORE EMPHASIZE THESE PRACTICAL RESPONSE MEASURES AS WELL AS INCREASED EDUCATIONAL EFFORTS. (CFW)