NCJ Number
59807
Date Published
1980
Length
285 pages
Annotation
BASED ON TWO INFORMATION SOURCES--LEAA-SPONSORED RAPE RESEARCH AND A SURVEY OF 31 RAPE CRISIS PROGRAMS, THIS COMMUNITY RESPONSE PROGRAM MODEL DESCRIBES THE COMPONENTS AND ACTIVITIES OF AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO RAPE.
Abstract
SINCE THE EARLY 1970'S THE EMERGENCE OF RAPE CRISIS CENTERS, IMPROVED HOSPITAL TREATMENT OF RAPE VICTIMS, AND ENHANCED PROSECUTORIAL FILING PROCEDURES HAVE LESSENED THE PLIGHT AND TRAUMA OF RAPE VICTIMS. HOWEVER, AN EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO RAPE REQUIRES INTEGRATION AND COORDINATION OF THESE SERVICES, AS DISCUSSED IN THIS PROGRAM MODEL. ITS FIVE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS--VICTIM SERVICES, RAPE CRISIS CENTERS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESPONSE, MEDICAL SERVICE RESPONSE, AND PUBLIC EDUCATION--ARE DESCRIBED ALONG WITH IMPLEMENTATION AND OPERATION ISSUES, SUCH AS STAFFING REQUIREMENTS, USE OF VOLUNTEERS, ORGANIZATION AFFILIATION, REFERRAL ARRANGEMENTS, AND PROCEDURAL OPTIONS. IDEALLY, VICTIM SERVICES SHOULD INCLUDE 24-HOUR HOTLINE SERVICE WITH DIRECT ACCESS TO TRAINED COUNSELORS FOR CRISIS INTERVENTION, PROVISIONS FOR LONG-TERM COUNSELING, ESCORT SERVICES, AND ADVOCACY SERVICES. RAPE CRISIS CENTERS CAN OPERATE INDEPENDENTLY, OR IN AFFILIATION WITH THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, A MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE, MEDICAL SERVICES, POLICE DEPARTMENTS, PRIVATE AGENCIES, OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE RAPE CRISIS CENTERS, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES AND MEDICAL SERVICES SHOULD PROVIDE ADEQUATE INFORMATION AND TRAINING TO STAFF REGARDING THE PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL NEEDS OF RAPE VICTIMS AS WELL AS THE EVIDENTIARY NEEDS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM; STANDARD PROCEDURES THAT REFLECT THIS AWARENESS CAN BE EFFECTIVE. PUBLIC EDUCATION EFFORTS CAN PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN REFUTING COMMON MYTHS ABOUT RAPE AND INCREASING COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF RAPE PREVENTION TECHNIQUES AND VICTIM SERVICES. PUBLIC LECTURES, THE MEDIA, AND SPECIAL EDUCATION PROJECTS DIRECTED AT MINORITIES ARE AMONG THE SUGGESTED STRATEGIES. EXAMPLES FOR A PUBLIC EDUCATION CAMPAIGN ARE INCLUDED. MAJOR LEGAL ISSUES AND RECENT LAW REFORMS ARE DISCUSSED. METHODS FOR EVALUATING RAPE INTERVENTION PROGRAMS ARE PRESENTED. THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN A LIST OF SURVEY RESPONDENTS, THE SURVEY INSTRUMENT, SAMPLE CRISIS CENTER FORMS, SAMPLE HOSPITAL PROCEDURAL GUIDES, SAMPLE DATA CARDS, SAMPLE CASE RECORD FORMS, AND OTHER FORMS, AS WELL AS A SUMMARY OF LEGISLATIVE ISSUES AND A DIRECTORY OF LEAA STATE PLANNING AGENCY OFFICERS.