How the Criminal Justice System has Evolved in Supporting Victims of Sexual Assault

In 1982, as a young detective serving with a small rural police department, I was called out in the evening to investigate a sexual assault.  One of the many duties that fell to me that evening was driving the female victim 31 miles to the county hospital emergency room as the local hospital would not perform sexual assault exams. While at the county hospital, the victim and I were forced to sit in the emergency room waiting area with others in need of being seen by the one emergency room physician. After the exam, I drove the victim and the sexual assault evidence collection kit, back to our community, offering no other services other than my law enforcement investigation.

In the mid 90’s, I became actively involved in the sexual assault/domestic violence prevention arena, which included service on local crisis shelters as a board member, receiving advanced training on the dynamics of this violent crime and I was exposed to the important work of victim advocates. What a tremendous advance in how sexual assault and domestic violence is addressed by many in the criminal justice system today. Victim advocates, whether community-based or system-based, can bring such needed comfort and care to victims of these violent crimes.  That may well and has on many occasions been the difference between a victim backing out of an investigation or staying the course and participating fully through to the courtroom.

A survivor of sexual assault in a large city in the middle of our country had her case go through the courtroom experience that ended in an acquittal. Her comment after the trial spoke volumes about victim advocacy. She said, “for me, justice was served because the prosecutor believed me.” We know these investigations can be challenging and the prosecution of sexual assault suspects even more so. For many victims however, how they are treated by the criminal justice system and related service professionals, may be equally if not more important in their minds. The role victim advocates play in their service to victims is an administration of justice service.

About the Author: FPI Fellow Jerald Monahan is the Program Director, Administration of Justice Studies at Yavapai College in Northern Arizona. He is a retired Police Chief at Yavapai College and at Prescott, AZ. Read his full bio here.

To read more about how victims of crime can be supported click here and here.