The Connecticut Office for Victim Services is hosting a two-day interactive and experiential course, October 16-17, on Morita Therapy, an internationally practiced holistic therapeutic system and mental health approach based upon Eastern lifeways and science. The course is intended to assist mental health, human service, counseling, victim assistance and trauma intervention professionals learn the theory and principles of Morita Therapy and their application for treatment populations and personal growth.

Dr. Brian Ogawa, department chair of the Human Services Department at Washburn University, is an internationally recognized pioneer of the adaptation of Morita Therapy into the West. His new book, "A River to Live by: The 12 Life Principles of Morita Therapy," will be referenced in the course.

Dr. Steven Walker has been promoted to the position of Associate Dean for the College of Social Science at California State University-Fresno. Steve has over 35 years of administrative experience in higher education, directing alcohol/drug treatment programs and several private non-profit clinical programs.

At CSU-Fresno, he was instrumental in creating the first Victimology major in the United States, while also assisting in the creation of the academic programs in victim services at Washburn University. As chair of the Criminology Department at CSU-Fresno for the last four years, the department experienced phenomenal growth. During that time, he led the University's successful development of the Joint Doctorate in Forensic and Behavioral Science.

JCVVS e-newsletter reviews offer a brief synopsis of research and programs relevant to violence and victim studies. Brevity does not allow for comprehensive analysis, rather key points and observations for further review and consideration. Reviews are provided by persons affiliated by the JCVVS and do not necessarily reflect the position of the JCVVS or the affiliate Universities.

Author: Brian K. Payne
Title: Victim Advocates' Perceptions of the Role of Health Care Workers in Sexual Assault Cases
Source: Criminal Justice Policy Review 2007, Vol. 18(1), pp. 81-94.
Reviewer: Bernadette Muscat

This article focuses on the results of a survey that was distributed to 44 rape crisis center workers in the Commonwealth of Virginia regarding their perceived collaborative relationships with allied professionals (law enforcement, the criminal justice system, health care professionals, mental health providers, victim/witness programs, and the Department of Social Services). The respondents were specifically asked about any challenges faced in working with health and mental health care providers. The results indicated that advocates had fewer problems with health care workers than with representatives of the criminal justice system including law enforcement. When problems with health care workers were noted, the barriers to service stemmed from four key areas. First, geographic isolation particularly in rural areas that may not have access to Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners or even rape kits necessitating victim transportation to a provider that may be several hours away. The next barrier was health care workers who overstep their occupational boundaries by trying to be a victim advocate and/or by providing referrals for services within the community. A third perceived problem was subcultural organizational barriers in which health care rules takes precedence over victim services. For example, victim advocates noted that since the implementation of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA), health care providers are reluctant to contact victim advocates for rape exam accompaniments. A final perceived barrier was problems in communication and patient referrals to crisis centers.

The second part of the survey specifically asked about perceived barriers in working with mental health providers. Again, four challenges were noted in the collaborative working relationship. The first perceived barrier was role ambiguity because some mental health providers try to be crisis workers. The two examples noted were mental health workers providing court accompaniments and/or not limiting assistance to therapy. The next barrier was inappropriate referrals to crisis centers to work with victims with a long history of sexual assault. The advocates noted that the focus of their work is on working with victims in crisis and not with those with long-term mental health problems. In that case the appropriate procedure is for the rape crisis center to make a mental health referral not vice versa. A third perceived barrier was a lack of funding for mental health care in the community. The advocates noted that funding did not cause problems for collaboration, but it did create problems for the victims with referrals, long waiting lists to see a mental health provider, and overworked providers who are not able to effectively work with victims. Finally, some advocates suggested that mental health providers do not have an appropriate understanding of the dynamics of sexual assault including the rape trauma syndrome and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

The article concludes with a few suggestions for improving collaborative working relationships. First, communities need sexual assault response plans that give each occupation a specific role in sexual assault cases. Each role must be outlined and followed to reduce situations of overstepping boundaries, role ambiguity, and inappropriate referrals. Next, sexual assault response teams are needed to bring victim advocates and allied professionals together to discuss sexual assault and assault cases from their varying perspectives. These teams can be instrumental in building communication, encouraging collaboration, and breaking down barriers. Finally, increased funding is needed to provide more and better services to victims. It is equally important to acknowledge how the lack of funding impacts victim recovery and participation in the criminal justice system with policy makers who have the ability to increase funding for victim services and mental health.

email: jcvvs@washburn.edu

phone: 785-670-1399

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