NCJ Number
43330
Date Published
1976
Length
68 pages
Annotation
TREATMENT OF RAPE VICTIMS BY HOSPITALS, POLICE, PROSECUTOR'S OFFICES, MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES, AND SPECIALIZED SERVICES FOR RAPE VICTIMS IN THE WASHINGTON, D.C., AREA IS DESCRIBED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE.
Abstract
A SPECIAL TASK FORCE OF THE METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS SURVEYED TREATMENT OF RAPE VICTIMS IN THE DISRICT OF COLUMBIA, PRINCE GEORGES AND MONTGOMERY COUNTIES IN MARYLAND, AND ARLINGTON, ALEXANDRIA, AND FAIRFAX COUNTIES IN VIRGINIA. IT FOUND THAT, AS A RESULT OF PUBLIC CAMPAIGNS MOUNTED BY CONCERNED CITIZENS AND GROUPS, SPECIAL RAPE TREATMENT PROCEDURES HAD BEEN SET UP AT D.C. GENERAL HOSPITAL AND PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY GENERAL HOSPITAL. THE OTHER OTHER HOSPITALS USED ROUTINE EMERGENCY ROOM PROCEDURES OR SENT VICTIMS TO HOSPITAS WHICH HANDLED RAPE VICTIMS. SEVEN RAPE CRISIS CENTERS WERE IDENTIFIED, ALL ALL OPERATING WITH VOLUNTEERS AND LIMITED FUNDS. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDED: (1) BETTER DATA COLLECTION ON RAPE INCLUDING AGE OF VICTIMS AND CIRCUMSTANCES; (2) ADOPTION OF A RAPE PROTOCOL BY AREA HOSPITALS; (3) TRAINING IN SENSITIVITY FOR THOSE COMING INTO CONTACT WITH RAPE VICTIMS; (4) PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO MAKE AREA RESIDENTS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM; (5) GREATER COORDINATION AMONG METROPOLITAN JURISDICTIONS IN TRAINING, EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION, AND REFERRALS OF VICTIMS. AT PRESENT, TREATMENT, EVIDENCE GATHERING, AND SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION ARE ALL HAMPERED BY GOVERNMENTAL FRAGMENTATION.