NCJ Number
60573
Date Published
1978
Length
53 pages
Annotation
SEXUAL ASSAULT IN HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINN., IS CONSIDERED IN RELATION TO PREVENTION, FEELINGS OF ASSAULTED PERSONS, REPORTING, THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION, THE POLICE INVESTIGATION, PROSECUTION, AND STATE LAW.
Abstract
SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES IN THE COUNTY HAVE THREE MAIN GOALS: TO PREVENT SEXUAL ASSAULT; TO MINIMIZE EMOTIONAL TRAUMA SUFFERED BY VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES; AND TO IDENTIFY, PROSECUTE, AND REHABILITATE CRIMINAL SEX OFFENDERS. VICTIMS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REPORT SEXUAL ASSAULT, EITHER TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OR COUNSELING AGENCIES. EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC ARE PROVIDED TO INCREASE AWARENESS TO THE PROBLEM OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, AND CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING IS OFFERED TO MEDICAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, LEGAL, SOCIAL SERVICE, AND VOLUNTEER PERSONNEL. FOLLOWING SEXUAL ASSAULT, VICTIMS EXPERIENCE A VARIETY OF EMOTIONAL REACTIONS, INCLUDING RELIEF, SHOCK, GUILT, SHAME, FEAR, SUSPICION, DISCOMFORT, AVOIDANCE OF THE SUBJECT BY OTHERS, ANGER, AND ACCEPTANCE. IN HELPING VICTIMS, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR OTHERS TO LISTEN. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO REPORT SEXUAL ASSAULT IMMEDIATELY TO MINIMIZE EMOTIONAL AND PHYSICAL INJURY AND TO ALLOW POLICE TO PURSUE THE ASSAILANT AND CONDUCT THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION MORE EFFECTIVELY. THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION CONDUCTED AFTER REPORTING IS INTENDED TO TREAT INJURIES, TO CARE FOR EMOTIONAL NEEDS, AND TO OBTAIN LEGALLY CORRECT EVIDENCE. TESTS PERFORMED AT THE HOSPITAL TO ASSESS MEDICAL STATUS ARE THE WOOD'S LAMP EXAMINATION, WET PREPARATION, PUBIC HAIR EXAMINATION, SPERM TYPING, MOUTH EXAMINATION, TOXICOLOGY TESTING, VENEREAL DISEASE TESTING, URINE TEST PREGNANCY, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND ACID PHOSPHATASE TESTING. IF THE DECISION IS MADE TO PROSECUTE, VICTIMS MUST GIVE A STATEMENT AND BECOME INVOLVED IN OMNIBUS HEARINGS, PRETRIAL PROCEDURES, PLEA NEGOTIATIONS, AND THE ACTUAL TRIAL. MINNESOTA'S CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT LAW PROVIDES THAT OFFENDERS (MALE OR FEMALE) BE TREATED EQUALLY AND IT OUTLINES A RATIONAL SCHEME FOR DETERMINING THE DEGREE OF SEVERITY IN SEX CRIMES. TYPES OF SEXUAL ABUSE ARE DEFINED BY LAW AS CHILD ABUSE, INCEST, FAMILY SEXUAL ABUSE, CHILD MOLESTATION, BATTERED WOMEN, AND HOMOSEXUAL OR SAME SEX ASSAULT. THE MALTREATMENT OF MINORS REPORTING LAW, ENACTED IN 1978 BY THE STATE LEGISLATURE, DEFINES CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND CONTAINS PROVISIONS RELATED TO REPORTING, EVIDENCE, DUTIES OF LOCAL WELFARE AGENCIES, AND RECORDS. PRACTICAL GUIDELINES TO AID IN PREVENTING SEXUAL ASSAULT AND IN DECIDING WHAT TO DO AFTER AN ASSAULT ARE PRESENTED. A DIRECTORY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE, POLICE, AND HELPING AGENCIES IN HENNEPIN COUNTY IS INCLUDED. (DEP)