ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE NEW MEXICO TASK FORCE ON VICTIMS OF SEX CRIMES AND THE SEX CRIMES PROSECUTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAM

• NCJ Number: 58615
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 15 pages
• Corporate Author: New Mexico Cmssn on the Status of Women
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

PROGRESS MADE IN IMPLEMENTING NEW MEXICO'S SEXUAL CRIMES PROSECUTION AND TREATMENT ACT IS REVIEWED WITH REGARD TO ASSISTANCE FOR VICTIMS DURING CRISIS AND THE HANDLING OF OFFENDERS.

Abstract

SEXUAL CRIMES ARE DEFINED BY THE NEW MEXICO CRIMINAL CODE AS CRIMINAL SEXUAL PENETRATION, CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONTACT, OR INDECENT EXPOSURE. CRIMINAL SEXUAL PENTRATION IS MORE COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS RAPE AND IS THE MOST FREQUENTLY REPORTED TYPE OF SEXUAL CRIME. PURPOSES OF THE 1978 SEXUAL CRIMES PROSECUTION AND TREATMENT ACT ARE TO PROMOTE EFFECTIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE PROSECUTION OF SEXUAL CRIMES AND TO PROVIDE MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF SUCH CRIMES. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT. SECTION SIX OF THE ACT REQUIRES A REPORT ON ALL ASPECTS OF THE SEXUAL CRIME PROSECUTION AND TREATMENT PROGRAM INITIATED AS A RESULT OF THE ACT AND ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS PROGRAM THROUGHOUT THE STATE. STATEWIDE SUPPORT OF LOCAL PROGRAMS AND AGENCIES CONCERNED WITH THE TREATMENT OF SEXUAL CRIME VICTIMS IS PROVIDED THROUGH THE ALLOCATION AND MONITORING OF FUNDS, AS DESIGNATED IN THE ACT, AND THROUGH THE DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION, THE STANDARDIZATION OF DATA COLLECTION ACROSS THE STATE AND ACROSS SERVICE SYSTEMS, AND THE ORGANIZATION AND PROVISION OF TRAINING FOR INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THE TREATMENT OF VICTIMS. PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN THE DELIVERY OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES (10 COMMUNITY PROGRAMS), MEDICAL SERVICES (12 FACILITIES FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT OF VICTIM MEDICAL SERVICES), TRAINING (634 INDIVIDUALS), THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPREHENSIVE AND STANDARDIZED DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM, AND COOPERATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES. PLANS CALL FOR SPECIALIZED TRAINING TO HELP PSYCHOLOGICAL, MEDICAL, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND JUDICIAL SERVICE GROUPS RESPONDING TO VICTIMS; A STATEWIDE CONFERENCE ON SEXUAL CRIMES; AND COMMUNITY EDUCATION. APPENDIXES CONTAIN A CASE HISTORY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, PROVISIONS OF THE SEXUAL CRIMES PROSECUTION AND TREATMENT ACT, AND AN ARTICLE DEALING WITH THE IMPACT OF A COMMUNITY HEALTH APPROACH TO RAPE. (DEP)