RAPE - GUIDELINES FOR A COMMUNITY RESPONSE - AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

• NCJ Number: 66818
• Author(s): D M CARROW
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 26 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-013-78
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: Abt Associates, Inc
• Sale Source: Superintendent of Documents, GPO; National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PROGRAM MODELS

Annotation

THIS REPORT SUMMARIZES THE COMPONENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO RAPE, DEFINES THE ACTIVITIES AND APPROACHES WHICH SEEM TO BE MOST EFFECTIVE, AND PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON ISSUES AND PITFALLS.

Abstract

IT HIGHLIGHTS THE MAJOR FINDINGS OF A COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE-SPONSORED PROGRAM MODELS REPORT ON THIS TOPIC. OVER THE DECADE OF THE 1970'S, THE GROWTH OF RAPE CRISIS CENTERS WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN COORDINATING A COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO RAPE. THE GOALS OF SUCH A RESPONSE INCLUDE IMPLEMENTING A PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAM, DEVELOPING VICTIM-ORIENTED PROCEDURES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, AND IMPROVING CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCEDURES. INFORMATION FOR THE PROGRAM MODEL, DESIGNED TO ASSIST THIS EFFORT, WAS DRAWN FROM RESEARCH ON THE TOPIC OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND AN EXTENSIVE TELEPHONE SURVEY CONDUCTED IN LATE 1978 OF 31 RAPE CRISIS PROGRAMS OPERATING THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES. THE PROGRAM MODEL EMPHASIZES THAT MANY COMMUNITIES COULD DIRECT THEIR RESOURCES TOWARD AN IMPROVED RESPONSE TO RAPE. COMMUNITIES SHOULD BEGIN WITH A CAREFUL NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND SHOULD PLAN ON AT LEAST THE FOLLOWING BASIC SERVICES: VICTIM SERVICES, INCLUDING HOTLINES, CRISIS INTERVENTION, AND THIRD-PARTY REPORTING; CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES, INCLUDING ADEQUATE STANDARDIZED PROCEDURES FOR INVESTIGATING AND PROSECUTING RAPE CASES; COMPASSIONATE AND EFFECTIVE MEDICAL SERVICES; AND PUBLIC EDUCATION THAT EMPHASIZES PREVENTION. LEGAL ISSUES THAT MUST BE DEALT WITH INCLUDE THE REDEFINITION OF RAPE, SINCE CODES IN MOST STATES ARE TOO NARROW IN FOCUS, ELIMINATION OF THE CORROBORATION REQUIREMENT, EXCLUSION OF EVIDENCE OF PRIOR SEXUAL CONDUCT, AND RESTRICTION OF CAUTIONARY INSTRUCTIONS TO THE JURY. THE COST OF PROVIDING COMMUNITYWIDE RAPE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS IS GENERALLY LOW, AND ANNUAL BUDGETS OF $50,000 OR LESS ARE COMMON. THOUGH PROGRAM SIZE WILL AFFECT BUDGET TOTALS, SIZABLE COST REDUCTIONS CAN BE ACHIEVED IF PROGRAMS USE VOLUNTEERS, MOBILIZE EXISTING COMMUNITY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESOURCES, AND CONCENTRATE ON INSTITUTING LOW-COST OR NO-COST PROCEDURAL IMPROVEMENT IN THE MEDICAL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS' HANDLING OF RAPE. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)