SEXUAL ASSAULT - IMPROVING THE INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSE, V 1 - SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION

• NCJ Number: 43302
• Author(s): L BIELER; J BROWN; K BROWN; KALMANOFF; C KING; C KIZZIAHKIZZIAH C
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 78 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; California Office of Criminal Justice Planning
• Corporate Author: New York City Dept of Employment
• Sale Source: National Technical Information Service
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

DETAILED ANALYSES OF OVER 350 INTERVIEWS WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE OFFICIALS, HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY RESULTED IN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE HANDLING OF RAPE CASES.

Abstract

THIS STUDY FOR THE PALO ALTO, CALIF., POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS COMMISSIONED TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ON VICTIMS AND TO PROPOSE PROGRAMS FOR IMPROVING THE HANDLING OF VICTIMS AND FORENCOURAGING THE REPORTING OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS. THE STUDY CONFIRMS OTHER FINDINGS THAT RAPE IS A SHATTERING EXPERIENCE WITH FAR-REACHING TRAUMATIC CONSEQUENCES. THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REPORTING AND NONREPORTING VICTIMS IS THE PRESENCE OF EMOTIONAL SUPPORT FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS. ONLY ONE VICTIM CALLED POLICE HERSELF; 67 CALLS WERE FROM RELATIVES OR ACQUAINTANCES. ATTEMPTED RAPES WERE MORE OFTEN REPORTED THAT COMPLETED RAPES, PROBABLY DUE TO INTENSE FEELINGS OF SHAME WHICH ACCOMPANY COMPLETED SEXUAL ASSAULTS. WHILE VICTIMS IN THIS SURVEY WERE NOT STRONGLY CRITICAL OF ANY PARTICULAR AGENCY, THE CUMULATIVE INADEQUACIES OF SERVICE OFTEN CONSTITUTED AN ORDEAL. POLICE AND HOSPITAL OFFICIALS INTERVIEWED OFTEN EXPRESSED REGRET AT THE INADEQUACY OF SERVICES. GREATER COORDINATION AMONG AGENCIES COULD DO MUCH TO ELIMINATE THE MAJOR SOURCES OF VARIANCE BETWEEN VICTIM NEEDS AND INSTITUTIONAL ROUTINE. AT PRESENT THE COURTS FOCUS ON THE OFFENDER, AND THE POLICE FOCUS ON THE SUSPECT; NEITHER IS SET UP TO CARE ABOUT THE VICTIM. GREATER SENSITIVITY ON THE PART OF POLICE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL, GREATER COORDINATION IN QUESTIONING (MANY VICTIMS RESENTED REPEATING THE STORY OVER AND OVER TO POLICE, DOCTORS AND PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS), AND A GREATER WILLINGNESS TO PROSECUTE WOULD HELP MORE WOMEN FEEL FREE TO REPORT SEXUAL ASSAULTS. MORE THAN HALF OF THE RESPONDENTS INDICATED THAT THE REASON FOR NONREPORTING OF RAPE HAD TO DO WITH DISTRUST OR FEAR OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND MEDICAL SERVICES. THIS DISTRUST IS EVEN STRONGER AMONG MINORITY WOMEN. GREATER USE OF COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES IS URGED, AND BOTH POLICE AND COURTS ARE URGED TO MAINTAIN GREATER LIAISON WITH COMMUNITY AGENCIES WHICH COULD BE OF ASSISTANCE IN SERVING RAPE VICTIMS. SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE FOR POLICE, HOSPITALS, THE COURT SYSTEM, THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT, MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS, AND THE COMMUNITY.