NCJ Number
200994
Date Published
2003
Length
73 pages
Annotation
This document outlines the recommendations of the Statewide Sexual Assault Systems Response Task Force, convened to promote a unified continuum of care for rape victims in Michigan.
Abstract
The primary goal of the task force was to enhance the community-level and institutional-level response to victims of sexual assault. The task force included key stakeholders from the criminal justice system, the medical system, victim advocacy organizations, and other service providers concerned with promoting services to sexual assault victims. The task force concentrated on four main areas, which became multidisciplinary work groups: the Prevention Education Workgroup, the Survivor Services Workgroup, the Medical System Workgroup, and the Criminal Justice System Workgroup. The report is divided into these four sections where Workgroup members have defined the issues at hand and offered recommendations for improving protocol, policy, or response. Barriers to justice and services for victims in each area are defined and short- and long-term remedies are offered. Furthermore, each section identifies strategies for the implementation of the suggested remedies. The Prevention Education Workgroup identified the need to create a shift in the attitudes that condone sexual violence in our culture. Recommendations include the development of a statewide education campaign designed to prevent sexual assault. The Survivor Services Workgroup identified a need for access to 24-hour crisis hotlines, counseling, and court, hospital, and police advocacy. Recommendations include implementing core services such as 24-hour crisis intervention and 24-hour medical advocacy. The Medical System Workgroup identified the need to provide victims with information concerning their medical rights and options. Recommendations include educating all medical and other crisis service providers of all the services available in the area for victims of sexual assault so these victims may be appropriately referred. The Criminal Justice System Workgroup identified the need for a statewide protocol for law enforcement’s response to sexual assault and recommended a multidisciplinary task force for the development of an appropriate protocol. The task force notes that it only considered adult victims of sexual assault, as the problem of children victims is beyond the scope of the current review.