NCJ Number
127006
Date Published
1990
Length
55 pages
Annotation
In 1988, the Governor of New York established a task force as a step towards developing a system to provide appropriate legal relief and sensitive, effective assistance to victims of rape, sexual assault, and child abuse.
Abstract
The task force was charged with studying the adequacy of current laws, the adequacy of counseling and support services for victims, the way in which cases are handled in the criminal justice system, public attitudes toward sex offenses and the role of education in shaping those opinions, and the availability of treatment for sex offenders. Membership of the task force is diverse and multidisciplinary, but all members shared certain values or underlying beliefs. These so-called guiding principles are stated in the report and provide the basis for evaluating existing laws and programs. The task force makes a number of recommendations in the areas of education and training, victim services, child sexual abuse, prosecution of sex offenders, and treatment of sex offenders. Issues surrounding the coordination and implementation of the Task Force recommendations are also discussed. Appendix on State of New York Executive Order 126 and listing of State services and programs.