NCJ Number
54228
Journal
Victimology Volume: 3 Issue: 1-2 Dated: (1978) Pages: 149-153
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
AN ERIE COUNTY, PA., PROGRAM DESIGNED TO PROVIDE VICTIMS OF RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT WITH ASSISTANCE DURING THEIR CONTACTS WITH THE COURTS IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE ERIE COUNTY VOLUNTEER SUPPORTIVE ADVOCATE COURT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WAS ESTABLISHED BY A TEMPORARY COORDINATING AGENCY WORKING UNDER AN LEAA GRANT TO IMPLEMENT A SERIES OF TASK FORCE RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO THE HANDLING OF RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO REDUCE THE APPREHENSION AND DISCOMFORT EXPERIENCED BY VICTIMS DURING THE JUDICIAL PROCESS AND TO INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT PERPETRATORS WILL BE SUCCESSFULLY PROSECUTED. VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES COMPLETE THE SAME 15-HOUR TRAINING PROGRAM GIVEN TO ADVOCATES WHO ASSIST VICTIMS AT HOSPITALS. THE COURT ADVOCATES ALSO COMPLETE A 3-HOUR COURSE ON COURT AND LEGAL PROCEDURES, RECEIVE AN ADVOCACY HANDBOOK, AND ARE SUPERVISED ON THE JOB. VICTIMS ARE REFERRED TO THE PROGRAM BY HOSPITAL ADVOCATES, POLICE, OR MEDICAL OR COUNSELING PERSONNEL, OR THROUGH THE COURT'S NOTIFICATION SYSTEM. THE NOTIFICATION SYSTEM PROVIDES VICTIMS WITH INFORMATION ON THE COURT SERVICES PROGRAM WHEN THEY ARE NOTIFIED OF THEIR SCHEDULED APPEARANCE IN COURT. THE ADVOCATE ASSIGNED TO A VICTIM MEETS THE VICTIM AT THE COURTHOUSE SHORTLY BEFORE COURT PROCEEDINGS BEGIN, ASSESSES THE VICTIM'S NEEDS, AND PROVIDES WHATEVER ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED. THE ADVOCATE'S EXACT ROLE DEPENDS ON THE STAGE OF THE PROCEEDINGS, THE VICTIM, AND THE NATURE OF THE CASE. THE ADVOCATE MAY STAY OUTSIDE THE COURTROOM WITH A CHILD VICTIM, OR MAY SIMPLY SIT WITH A VICTIM IN THE COURTROOM. OFTEN THE ADVOCATE ACTS AS A GO-BETWEEN FOR THE VICTIM AND THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY. THE ADVOCATE REMAINS WITH THE VICTIM THROUGHOUT THE PROCEEDINGS, DETERMINES WHAT ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED, MAKES CERTAIN THAT OTHER SERVICES (COUNSELING, INFORMATION, REFERRAL) ARE MADE AVAILABLE, AND FOLLOWS UP ON THE CASE AT REGULAR INTERVALS UNTIL FINAL DISPOSITION. FROM THE PROGRAM'S INCEPTION IN OCTOBER 1976 THROUGH JULY 1977, 28 CASES WERE HANDLED. ALTHOUGH IT IS TOO EARLY TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF THE PROGRAM, VICTIMS HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY APPRECIATE THE ADVOCATES' ASSISTANCE. A LIST OF REFERENCES AND A FLOWCHART DEPICTING PROGRAM OPERATIONS ARE PROVIDED. (LKM)