VICTIMS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN MINNESOTA

• NCJ Number: 42985
• Journal: Victimology Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (SPRING 1977) Pages: 88-101
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 14 pages
• Corporate Author: Visage Press, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

MINNESOTA HAS ATTRACTED INCREASING ATTENTION BECAUSE OF THE INTRODUCTION OF INNOVATIVE LAWS AND PROGRAMS IN THE FIELD OF VICTIM ASSISTANCE, AMONG OTHERS.

Abstract

AN ACT PASSED IN 1974 AUTHORIZED THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONS TO DEVELOP A STATEWIDE PROGRAM, THE MINNESOTA PROGRAM FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS, TO AID VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ATTACKS, THE STATEWIDE PROGRAM INCLUDED VOLUNTARY COUNSELING TO BE MADE AVAILABLE TO VICTIMS THROUGHOUT THE PROCEEDINGS FOLLOWING THE RAPE, INCLUDING HOSPITAL EXAMINATION, POLICE INVESTIGATION, QUESTIONING OF WITNESSES AND TRIAL. THE COMMISSIONER OF CORRECTIONS WAS ALSO DIRECTED TO ASSIST IN ESTABLISHING SENSITIVITY TRAINING FOR PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS, LOCAL POLICE AND PEACE OFFICERS, AND HOSPITAL PERSONNEL. IN 1975 THE YEAR THEY MANDATED THE STATEWIDE PROGRAM AND BEFORE THERE WAS ANY FUNDING FOR STATE PROGRAMS, A COMPREHENSIVE REFORM OF THE LAWS RELATED TO SEXUAL ASSAULTS WAS PASSED ON THE LAST NIGHT OF THE SESSION. IT RECLASSIFIES THE CRIMINAL SEXUAL CONDUCT INTO FOUR DEGREES; IT PROVIDES THAT THE VICTIMS DO NOT HAVE TO PROVE RESISTANCE TO THE UTMOST; IT LIMITS THE AMOUNTS OF EVIDENCE ABOUT THE VICTIMS PREVIOUS SEXUAL CONDUCT THAT CAN BE ADMITTED INTO COURT; IT ALSO PROVIDES THAT COUNTIES PAY FOR EXAMINATIONS TAKEN FOR THE PURPOSE OF GATHERING EVIDENCE. THIS ARTICLE REPRESENTS AN INTERVIEW WITH FOUR KEY PERSONS WHO DIRECT VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE STATE (RURAL AND URBAN), FROM DIFFERENT VANTAGE POINTS (STATEWIDE AND LOCAL), AND LOCATED IN DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURES. TAKING PART IN THE CONVERSATION WERE THE DIRECTORS OF THE SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES IN THE HENNEPIN COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE (MINNEAPOLIS), THE ST. LOUIS COUNTY AID TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT (DULUTH), THE SEXUAL OFFENSE SERVICE (S.O.S) OF RAMSEY COUNTY (ST. PAUL), AND THE MINNESOTA PROGRAM FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT. THE INTERVIEWER WAS EMILIO C. VIANO. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)