NCJ Number
63476
Date Published
Unknown
Length
118 pages
Annotation
A PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLA., PROGRAM PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IS EVALUATED, AND THE PROGRAM'S STATISTICS ON RAPE ARE ANALYZED.
Abstract
FOUNDED IN NOVEMBER 1975, THE SEXUAL ASSAULT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SAAP) HAD PROVIDED SUPPORT SERVICES ON A ONE-TO-ONE BASIS TO 2,528 VICTIMS AS OF MARCH 1978. SAAP PARALEGALS ASSIST VICTIMS THROUGHOUT THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. SAAP ALSO COORDINATES THE ACTIVITIES OF POLICE, LEGAL, AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL WHO DEAL WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS; CONDUCTS PUBLIC INFORMATION PROGRAMS; AND OPERATES A RAPE HOTLINE. A COMPARISON OF SAAP WITH OTHER VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS FINDS SAAP'S ORGANIZATIONAL PLACEMENT AS A SEPARATE AGENCY TO BE ADVANTAGEOUS. ANALYSIS OF CASE RECORDS TO IDENTIFY CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM POLICIES AND PROCEDURES THAT HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON VICTIMS REVEALS A NEED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO REASSESS THEIR METHODS OF DETERMINING THE VALIDITY OF RAPE CLAIMS, PARTICULARLY THOSE FILED BY BLACK WOMEN. ANALYSIS OF SAAP STATISTICS ALSO SHOWS THE EXTENT TO WHICH PALM BEACH RAPE CASES FOLLOW PATTERNS IDENTIFIED IN NATIONAL STUDIES OF VICTIM-ASSAILANT RELATIONSHIPS AND OTHER ASPECTS OF RAPE. SURVEYS OF SAAP CLIENTS, POLICE, PROSECUTORS, PHYSICIANS, AND NURSES FIND SUPPORT FOR SAAP. THE EVALUATION REPORT INCLUDES A DETAILED HISTORY OF SAAP; EVALUATION METHODS, FINDINGS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS; COPIES OF EVALUATION INSTRUMENTS; AND SUPPORTING DATA.