The standards by which our community holds itself accountable for sexual violence are articulated in this Bill of Rights. Its purpose is to forge a community-wide commitment to ending violence and to provide assistance to victims in a sensitive and respectful manner.

Bill of Rights

Any victim of sexual violence in Dane County has the right to be treated with respect and dignity regardless of gender, cultural background, age, sexual orientation, income, cognitive abilities, physical abilities or sexual, medical, and mental health history.
Treating victims with respect and dignity requires that we acknowledge that sexual violence is wrong and that no one deserves to be, or asks to be, a victim of such violence; nor are victims responsible for the violence committed against them.

Any victim of sexual violence in Dane County has the right to an array of protective and retributive services, including:

• timely access to emergency and crisis counseling services
• the option of being accompanied by an advocate while receiving victim services
• information regarding reporting requirements, legal rights, and legal resources, such as restitution and Wisconsin Crime Victims' Compensation
• information about safety planning and protection services
• information about appropriate follow-up services

Any victim of sexual assault in Dane County has the right to expect that the above array of services will be provided by agencies, organizations and individuals that are:

• knowledgeable about, aware of and respectful of an individual's unique socio-cultural background
• knowledgeable about and sensitive to the impact of sexual violence on individuals
• familiar with the various community resources available to victims of sexual violence
• respectful of the individual's right to privacy and confidentiality
• informed about and able to clarify any legal regulations or professional ethics that require sharing information with others
• informed about and able to clarify agency policies and procedures regarding the treatment of victims of sexual assault

Definition of Terms

Victim - We chose to use the term "victim" rather than "survivor" as a way of reclaiming a non-stigmatizing status for victims of sexual offenses, just as victims of other crimes are not stigmatized because of their experience. Also, the term "victim" includes the parents of minor children who have been sexually assaulted, as well as the legal guardians of others who have been assaulted.

Advocate - any person, friend, family member, or service representative who will fulfill the function of supporter and silent witness in an intervention by a responding system.

Reporting - The reporting of a sexual assault to a law enforcement agency or appropriate county social service agency.

Safety Planning - Planning for the immediate well-being of the sexual assault victim.

Follow-up Services - Any community resources that are available to the victim subsequent to the assault.

Policies - The rules by which an agency, department, institution or system operates.

Procedures - The protocols that inform an agency 's, department 's, institution's, or system's interactions with sexual assault victims. Procedures include, but are not limited to, the process by which someone might file a complaint or grievance.