New policy set to benefit sexual assault victims

SUMMIT COUNTY - Rape victims can have a difficult time in the aftermath of a traumatic attack, and their pain and confusion can be compounded - even by those who mean to help.

But with a new policy approved by county officials last week, that shouldn't happen.

Friday, the heads of Summit County's police agencies, the District Attorney's office and Advocates for Victims of Assault signed off on a new policy that outlines who is supposed to help and how after an assault is reported.

The policy represents three years of work by Advocates director Regan Wood and Breckenridge Police Assistant Chief Dave Miller, with help from other county officials.

"The premise is that, if they're treated with fairness, dignity and respect right off the bat, then they're more likely to want to go forward with prosecution," Wood said. "If they're out helping the district attorney, hopefully, the rates will go up for convictions."

Summit County logs more than 3,000 reports of sex assault, domestic violence and other attacks each year, according to the Advocates.

In the past, getting help after an attack could be complicated: Few police officers were trained in responding to attacks and interviewing victims; and the responsibilities of agencies from the Advocates to medical staff and county social service employees were, in some cases, overlapping or unclear.

Responding to a sex assault involves numerous professionals and agencies.

A victim might first report the crime to a 911 dispatcher. From there, police and Advocates representatives are contacted.

Then, the county's social services department and the District Attorney's Office get involved.

Assaults typically require medical examinations, and victims are encouraged to seek counseling.

Wood said developing a comprehensive policy meant getting all of the different people involved and "on the same page."

"Collaboration is key because we're all working for the victim," Wood said. "In the past, though, there was some stepping on toes or information that wasn't being shared. This will make things go smoother."

Wood has worked with the Advocates for 10 years and has seen reports of sex assaults increase steadily. Reports dropped off in December, however, and Advocates volunteers suspect publicity from the Kobe Bryant case is deterring victims.

Bryant, a Los Angeles Lakers NBA basketball player, is charged with sex assault in Eagle County.

His attorneys have attempted to call into question the alleged victim's mental health history and sexual conduct. Wood fears that seeing the woman's life put on trial - as well as into the media - might make some victims shy to prosecute their attackers.

That's why training included as part of the new policy includes educating people on the front lines, whether they're police officers or Advocates volunteers, about the options victims have.

For example, a victim need not decide to prosecute an attacker right away, as long as the proper procedures are followed. If a medical exam is done right away, a victim can decide months later to press charges against an attacker.

The Advocates will conduct training sessions with police officers to this effect. Wood said Summit County Public Health nurse Nancy Schorr has also been instrumental in working with the medical community in this area, putting copies of the new policy in the emergency room and stocking clinics with sex assault exam kits.

"I hope we'll all make a commitment to working with our employees that have first contact with victims," Miller said to the group assembled to sign the policy.

Wood will now take the collaborative process to tackle a new domestic violence policy for Summit County, but couldn't say how long it would take to complete the document.

Reid Williams can be reached at (970) 668-3998, ext. 237, or rwilliams@summitdaily.com.