Variation in rates of sexual assault crisis counsellor usage during forensic examination in California: an observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

A critical asset to post-assault care of survivors is support from sexual assault crisis counsellors (SACCs). We sought to elucidate variation in implementation between California counties in SACC accompaniment during Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE).

Methods

SACC attendance data from 2019 was obtained from the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (CalOES). To assess SACC attendance rates during SAFEs, we requested SAFE quantity data from sheriffs and public health departments, the State Forensic Bureau, and the California Department of Justice (DOJ), but all requests were unanswered or denied. We also sought SAFE data from District Attorneys (DAs) in each county, and received responses from Marin and Contra Costa Counties. To estimate numb

SUBMITTER: Serenska A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10603459 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature