Unique Program Delivers Emergency Care In Person To Native Victims Of Sexual Assault

Members of the military who are survivors of sexual assault have access to special victims’ counsels to help guide and protect them throughout the legal process. The efforts are still young, and with that comes issues of ill-trained or over-worked legal representation – a criticism that has been made known by advocates. Furthermore, while the existence of such assistance is extremely beneficial to military personnel, the same sort of protection and support isn’t available to civilians who are alleging violent crimes against military members.

Across Ohio, legislators, organizations, and activists have improved prevention and response measures to sexual assault. The state has seen the opening of 14 new rape crisis centers, statewide legislation, increased support for survivors and their families, and the establishment of on-campus programs. Each initiative offers different services, but all seek to shift the culture and provide a more well-rounded approach to sexual assault for Ohio residents.

Amid the nationwide discussion surrounding gender non-discrimination and sexual misconduct at American universities, the University of Utah has taken a proactive approach to realign its Title IX policies. In addition to reviewing the policies of its Office of Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Title IX and Center for Student Wellness, the university has increased resources and centralized information about sexual misconduct reporting.

Confidential points of contact allow victims to reach out about Title IX violations and sexual assault on their own terms. Following multiple incidents involving members of its basketball team, the University of Oregon has reconfigured its approach to Title IX with new policies that give victims control over when an incident is reported. The broader Title IX program defines expectations and sets norms surrounding sexual harassment and consent through educational programs, digital resources, a student hotline, and the designation of individuals as confidential points of contact.

In the aftermath of multiple sexual assault incidents, Baylor University has moved toward turning what was once a culture of avoidance into a culture of accountability. The university has increased the staff, funding, and resources devoted to its Title IX office, including a new website for students to report incidents. Furthermore, the university promotes ongoing education and awareness among both its students and athletes with programs that promote healthy relationships.

Ohio has invested heavily in new technology and processes to improve and streamline the testing of rape kits. As Washington grapples with limited resources and lab inefficiencies, it looks to Ohio as an example of productivity and efficiency. After passing a bill requiring the processing of all rape kits, crime labs in Washington are facing a backlog that, without changing their ways, could take up to six years to complete.

In Nepal a team of people monitor border crossings to rescue young women being trafficked into brothels in India. The women are tricked into believing there are jobs waiting for them rather than brutal lives of sexual servitude. The volunteer interceptors work with the organization Love Justice, which says it makes about 90 successful interventions every month, to reconnect the young women to their families or to other organizations.

In Virginia, a bill was passed to test around 2,902 rape kits that had never been tested. Then, the state passes another law that rules police agencies have to notify all victims that their kits have been tested. Advocates and law enforcement agents fear informing all victims will be triggering and traumatic, and prefer to inform only those whose kits result in a match. The Virginia Beach police meets with legislators in attempt to change the law, but fails. Ultimately they try to decide the best way of informing hundreds of survivors of sexual assault.

Researchers at Columbia University undertook an exhaustive ethnography, interviewing hundreds of students on campus to understand the conditions under which sexual assault occurs. The idea was to get past common assumptions about the dynamics of assault and find what strategies might work best to protect all students. Researchers concluded small structural adjustments to student life could bring substantial change, including more mental health services and different types of responses based on the individual students and the types of incidents.

Oregon State University was being criticized for its handling of sexual assault cases, particularly Brenda Tracy's case that occurred in 1998. Now years later, the president of OSU- Ed Ray, has formally apologized, hired Tracy as a consultant, the Sexual Assault Resource Center has been created, and other steps that have led to a more prepared environment to help victims of sexual assault.