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Victim Support Protocols

last updated 31 August 2006

 

Creating mechanisms to support victims of sexual violence is of utmost importance to prevent re-victimization, encourage reporting of rapes and enhance victim cooperation for prosecution.  Much of the victim support programs available are established by NGOs and other women’s rights groups. 

 

In the United States, the federal and state Violence Against Women Acts established and increased funding for victim support.  The STOP Violence Against Women Grant Program is part of the federal VAWA that provides funding for such victim support organizations.  The Institute of Justice prepared an evaluation of the implementation of STOP grants for the National Institute of Justice.  This report evaluated state-level efforts, noted national trends and provided recommendations to enhance the success of STOP funded programs.  Generally, this money is put toward treatment centers and battered women shelters.  Prosecutor and police officer protocols often call for interagency cooperation with these victim support centers in order to better meet the victim’s needs and ensure all evidence and information is gathered from victim.  Further, victim support will help put victims at ease during the prosecution phase of a sexual assault complaint.  Also, the United States has many hotlines available to support victims and provide advice when a sexual assault has occurred.  These hotlines help the victim through the most difficult period immediately after a sexual assault, and encourage victims to seek authorities immediately after the assault.  The hotlines provide information about the proper procedure to follow when reporting a sexual assault.  To locate counseling centers hotlines that assist with sexual assault issues across the United States, please visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) website.  The National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached toll-free at 1-800-656-HOPE.

 

In the CEE/CIS region, victim support is not as advanced or valued as it is in the United States.  States in this region are just beginning to recognize the trauma that results from sexual assault.  Most victim support organizations are run by NGOs and other women’s rights organizations.  In Tajikistan, there are no public programs for victims of sexual violence.  However, NGOs in the region have called for the government to set up rehabilitation centers or shelters under the Ministry of Health or Justice where judges and other officials may direct victims for treatment.  In Azerbaijan, several NGOs and other international organizations, including UNDP, OXFAM and OSCE, have established rehabilitation centers.  In Bulgaria, “Nadja Center” Foundation has established a women’s shelter for victims of sexual violence and abuse.  The center provides medical, psychological, social assistance and assistance dealing with authorities.  Other NGOs in Bulgaria attempt to provide other care for female victims of violence by providing some relief, advice and short-term shelter.  There is little state support in Bulgaria.  In Ukraine, some centers have been opened where women can find shelter, legal counsel and psychological support.  In Armenia, no government centers are available for victims, but the Women’s Rights Centre offers assistance through hotlines. 

 

According to the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, other countries around the world have adopted innovative ideas for supporting victims of sexual assault.  For example, Malaysia has developed a “one-stop” center for victims of sexual assault at which women are interviewed by police, have the medical examination and are paired with women support organizations.  Police officers and doctors are well trained in rape investigation and women’s rights advocates are present to support the victim.  New Zealand has passed the Victims of Offences Act of 1987, which instructs officials working with victims to “treat them with courtesy, compassion and respect for their personal dignity and privacy.”  (Special Rapporteur’s Report, Section III, subsection D).

 

 

Compiled from: Institute for Law and Justice, The Evaluation of the STOP Violence Against Women Grant Program: Law Enforcement and Prosecution Components, http://www.ilj.org/publications/dv/nijstopevaluation.pdf (15 June 2001).

 

Neal Miller, Institute for Law and Justice, Review of State Sexual Assault Laws, 1998 Legislative Codes, http://www.ilj.org/iljarchive/sa/sexaltpr.htm (February 1990).

 

United Nations Economic and Social Council, Report of the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, Its Causes and Consequences, Ms. Radhika Coomaraswamy, 53rd Sess., U.N. Doc. E/CN.4/1997/47 (12 February 1997).

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