NCJ Number
49014
Date Published
1975
Length
20 pages
Annotation
GUIDELINES FOR CITIZEN GROUPS INTERESTED IN GAINING THE ATTENTION AND COOPERATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICIALS ARE OFFERED, AND DETAILS OF AN INDIANA VICTIM ADVOCATE PROGRAM'S EFFORTS TO HELP RAPE VICTIMS ARE RECOUNTED.
Abstract
THE GUIDELINES PROVIDE AN APPROACH TO BUILDING SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY AND AMONG POLICE OFFICIALS, PROSECUTORS, JUDGES, AND OTHER OFFICIALS WHOSE ACTIONS AFFECT THE VICTIMS AND POTENTIAL VICTIMS OF CRIME. PROBLEMS WITH POLICE TREATMENT OF RAPE VICTIMS IN MARION COUNTY (INDIANAPOLIS), IND., AND STEPS TAKEN BY THE LOCAL CITIZENS' VICTIM ADVOCATE PROGRAM TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS ARE DISCUSSED. THE INDIANAPOLIS POLICE DEPARTMENT'S SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE UNIT FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF A FEMALE SERGEANT, IS DESCRIBED. THE FORM USED BY INVESTIGATORS TO RECORD DATA ON SEXUAL OFFENSES IS PRESENTED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POLICE HANDLING OF RAPE VICTIMS ARE OFFERED. THE CITIZEN GROUP'S EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE TREATMENT OF RAPE VICTIMS IN HOSPITALS AND THE COORDINATION BETWEEN HOSPITALS AND FORENSIC LABORATORIES ARE DOCUMENTED, AS ARE THE GROUP'S RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, BASED ON THE OBSERVATIONS OF VOLUNTEER COURT-WATCHERS. GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING COURT-WATCHING SYSTEMS IN OTHER COMMUNITIES ARE OUTLINED. (LKM)