NCJ Number
47157
Date Published
1977
Length
12 pages
Annotation
DEVELOPMENTS IN SERVICES TO SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS BY HOSPITALS, POLICE, PROSECUTORS' OFFICES, AND CRISIS CENTERS ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
MOST VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIME NATURALLY SEEK SERVICES FROM HOSPITALS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. HOWEVER, THESE AGENCIES HAVE FEW PERSONNEL TO WORK WITH RAPE VICTIMS AND TO DEAL WITH THEIR FEARS. AS A CONSEQUENCE, IN ADDITION TO PUBLIC PRESSURE TO IMPROVE EXISTING SERVICES, THERE HAS BEEN A PUSH TO IMPLEMENT COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES PROVIDED BY WOMEN FOR WOMEN. RAPE CRISIS CENTERS HAVE EMERGED, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES AND MEDICAL CENTERS HAVE EMPLOYED PERSONNEL SPECIALLY TRAINED TO ASSIST RAPE VICTIMS. SUCH PERSONNEL INCLUDE COUNSELORS WORKING IN POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND EMERGENCY ROOMS, ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEYS WITH SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR RAPE CASES, AND LAY ADVOCATES WORKING IN PROSECUTORS' OFFICES. MUCH OF THE PROFESSIONAL LITERATURE ON HOSPITAL SERVICES TO RAPE VICTIMS IS WRITTEN BY AND DIRECTED TO HOSPITAL PERSONNEL. SPECIALIZED RAPE TREATMENT PROGRAMS IN HOSPITALS TEND TO BE COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT TO ADMINISTER. THE POLICE ATTITUDE OF INDIFFERENCE TO RAPE IS BEGINNING TO CHANGE, BUT THERE ARE STILL GREAT PROBLEMS WITH POLICE AND COURT REACTIONS TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT. MOST RAPE CRISIS CENTERS ARE FORMED TO PROVIDE SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO VICTIMS, TO REFORM INSTITUTIONS THAT DEAL WITH VICTIMS, TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND TO REFORM LAWS. AS RAPE CENTERS DEVELOP AND BECOME MORE SOPHISTICATED IN THEIR DELIVERY OF SERVICES, A NUMBER OF ISSUES -- USE OF MALE COUNSELORS, COUNSELOR SELECTION, TRAINING, PATTERNS OF CLIENT UTILIZATION OF SERVICES, SERVICES FOR CHILDREN -- ARISE. MORE COMPLETE DESCRIPTIONS OF TREATMENT PROGRAMS AND ASSESSMENT OF TREATMENT OUTCOMES ARE NEEDED. (LKM)