Registration Open
Registration for the conference is now open. Early registration is encouraged with a discounted rate through June 12, 2009.

Community Team Scholarships
Community team scholarship applications are being accepted through June 1, 2009. Scholarships are for reimbursable expenses, including the standard registration fee.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Justice Programs contracted with the JCVVS to offers the Critical Analysis of Victim Assistance program April 15-17, 2009. Fifteen practitioners from across the state participated in the program. Alyssa York of the Committee Against Domestic Abuse appreciated the "opportunity to expand and learn not only information to bring home to my organization but to use personally in how I think and react to people I come in contact with on a daily basis." Jessalyn Frank of CSD of Minnesota commented, "I appreciated the inclusive of diverse groups and the sensitivity to diverse situations the course allowed. It was a safe place to learn."
For more information call Thomas Underwood at (785) 670-1242 or visit the webpage.

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.

Authors: Campbell, R.

Title: Rape survivors experience with the legal and medical systems: Do rape victim advocates make a difference?

Date: 2006

Publisher: Violence Against Women, 12, pp. 30- 45.

Reviewer: Tracy Tambora, Ph.D.

Campbell (2006) questioned whether rape survivors who had the assistance of rape victim advocates had more positive experiences with the legal and medical systems compared to those who did not work with victim advocates. The researchers gathered a sample of rape victims from two large, urban hospitals. Both hospitals were the primary hospital in their respective police precincts where law enforcement took rape victims for treatment. In addition, both hospitals had similar numbers of rape victims served per year, the number of doctors and SANE nurses serving those victims, and the type of population the hospital served. The main difference between the two hospitals was that one had a policy to page rape victim advocates from a local RCC to come assist survivors of rape throughout their ER visit (Site #1) and the other did not (Site #2).

Site 2 data collection resulted in a sample of 36 survivors; all of whom worked with rape victim advocates. Of these victims, 17 also talked with police either before arriving at or during their hospital care. Site 2 data collection resulted in a sample of 45 survivors; 28 had contact with police. Information was gathered via a tape recorded, orally administered checklist. Questions focused on types of services that the survivors received; interactions with the legal and medical community; and how survivors felt following their contact with members of the legal or medical community.

Results revealed rape survivors who worked with advocates reported receiving more services from the legal and medical systems. Most survivors did not receive emergency contraception (about one third); however, this rate is common for advocate-assisted cases and is significantly higher than for women who did not work with an advocate. Beyond service delivery, most survivors who worked with advocates reported less secondary victimization from legal and medical system personnel, and less post-system-contact distress than those who did not have the assistance of advocates. Campbell (2006) reports that survivors who had the assistance of an advocate were significantly more likely to have police reports taken and were less likely to be treated negatively by police officers. In addition, these women also reported less distress after their contact with the legal system.

This research provides support for the assertion that victim advocates are a valuable supportive service for survivors of rape and sexual assault. This research supports the notion that even in these difficult economic times, advocate positions should be preserved.

email: jcvvs@washburn.edu

phone: 785-670-1399

web: http://www.washburn.edu/ce/jcvvs/