The Problem of Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is one of the most pervasive crimes confronting
our communities today. Even conservative estimates regarding incidence rates
of sexual assault indicate that sexual violence affects hundreds of our
community members. The most recent FBI statistics indicate that 104,800
rapes were reported nationwide to police in 1993 (The Capital Times,
August 17, 1995, E1). In 1994, 6,546 sexual assaults were reported to Wisconsin
law enforcement agencies and in Dane County there were 421 reported sexual
assaults (Sexual Assaults in Wisconsin, 1994). These figures are
even more alarming when viewed in light of how many sexual assaults are
never reported. Rape is the most under reported violent crime in the U.S.,
with only 5% to 20% reporting. (FBI Uniform Crime Report, 1980 and Rape
in America, 1992).
Rape's Affect on Victims/Community
Rape has serious consequences for victims' mental health. Thirty-one
percent of all rape victims develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder sometime
during their lifetimes. They are three times more likely to have had a major
depressive episode than non-victims of crime. Also, rape victims are 4.1
times more likely to have contemplated suicide and 13 times more likely
to have actually made a suicide attempt (Rape in America, 1992).
According to the 1990 Dane County Needs Assessment, "Victims who do
not receive help within three months of the incident or do not receive relief
from their initial treatment are likely to suffer post traumatic stress."
Our whole community is affected by sexual assault. A general sense
of community safety and attitudes about sexual assault become a foundation
for the experiences of the individual victim as well as the community's
ability to respond to and prevent sexual violence.
Standards for Victim Services: The Need for
a Victim's Bill of Rights
Victims of sexual assault have many needs as a result of this crime.
They often confront many different community systems, each designed to address
a specific issue or problem. Victims may choose to seek help from a variety
of different sources. How agencies react to victims should be a direct reflection
of our community's standard about sexual assault response.
Even in communities with a wide range of available services, poor
communication between systems, poorly informed referrals, or contradictory
policies and procedures lead to re-victimization, barriers to services and
a reluctance to report. Articulating community standards for all sexual
assault victims and holding sex offenders accountable for their crimes makes
a strong statement of support to victims. In 1994, the U.S. Department of
Justice studied the various community systems that responde to sexual assault
including law enforcement, criminal justice, medical and victim advocates.
They concluded that "cooperation and close coordination among law enforcement
officials, prosecutors, rape crisis counselors, and medical service providers
can result in more swift and effective response to rape." (The Criminal
Justice and Community Response to Rape, 1994).