Section 1100.110  Sexual Assault Programs

a)         Target Population

Programs shall provide direct services to persons victimized by sexual assault, their family members and significant others, and witnesses.

b)         Mandatory Services

In addition to providing the services listed in Section 1100.70(a)(3), programs intending to apply for funding to serve victims of sexual assault must:

1)         Make available a 24-hour crisis intervention hotline to victims to provide information, referral, crisis intervention and support.  Direct response is preferred but not required.

2)         Provide supportive listening and advocacy at both a personal and system level to assist in the proper care and treatment of victims of sexual assault, affected family members and significant others during medical, police or criminal justice proceedings.

3)         Provide 24-hour medical advocacy.

4)         Provide individual counseling for victims, affected family members and significant others as appropriate.  Any professional providing counseling should have specialized training in the dynamics and treatment of sexual assault and sexual abuse.

5)         Provide referrals to appropriate resources within the community to meet the specific needs of the victim, affected family members and significant others.

6)         Provide follow-up services, upon request, to the victim, affected family members and significant others.

c)         Recommended Services

The following list is intended to serve as recommendations for the development of a comprehensive sexual assault program.  Not all programs will be able to provide all of the listed services, and some programs may be able to provide services in addition to those listed.  For a sexual assault program to comprehensively address the needs of victims of sexual assault, their family members and significant others, and witnesses, these service elements should be provided in addition to the required services.

1)         Therapy for child and adult victims, which should be provided by licensed professionals who have received specialized training in the dynamics and treatment of sexual assault and sexual abuse.

2)         Group counseling and support sessions on both formal and informal levels.  Counseling should be accessible to both recently and previously traumatized victims, affected family members and significant others.

3)         In-service training programs for professionals, staff, volunteers and student interns who may be working with, or who may come in contact with, victims of sexual assault, affected family members or significant others.

4)         Provision of educational materials to the general public regarding the personal and societal consequences of sexual assault and abuse, prevention and protective techniques, and program services available for victims, affected family members and significant others.

5)         Assistance to victims in obtaining necessary transportation to secure services and assistance.

6)         Direct and indirect provision of clothing or emergency funds to sexual assault victims to meet immediate needs.

7)         Employer and school intervention services relating to loss of time from work or school due to victim recovery.

8)         Bilingual services; interpretive services for those who have a speech, sight or hearing disability; and promotion of culturally competent responses to victims and witnesses.