|
|
| |
HOME >
Prosecutions > Rape |
|
| |
Rape / Adult Sexual Abuse |
|
|
Adult Rape
●
Adult Sexual Abuse
Prosecution
●
Statutory Rape & 3R Program |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
kRAPE
RESPONSE HOTLINE: (559) 732-7273 |
|
|
Sexual assault cases, as a class of cases, are the most
difficult cases to prosecute due to the limited evidence inherent in
sexual assault, the attitudes of the community and the great emotional
needs and demands of victims.
Statistics indicate one out of six women will be raped in a
lifetime. Yet, those charged with compiling these figures agree that
rape statistics are unreliable because many victims will not ever report
the crime. According to F.B.I. calculations, between four in five
victims fail to report the crime of rape. More extensive studies
conducted indicate that one in 10 rapes is reported.
A major purpose for creating the Rape/Violent Sexual Assault Prosecutor
in the Community Protection Unit of the Tulare County District Attorney's
Office is to alleviate or eliminate the fear in a "survivor" of rape. In
addition to increasing the number of rapes reported in
Tulare County, through
community awareness and education, the rape prosecutor also aggressively
prosecutes those sexual assault cases that are reported. Although it is
recognized that no one can force a "survivor" of rape to report the
crime, it is also noteworthy that one of the main reasons given for not
reporting the crime was an ignorance about the resources available to
victims.
To ensure that this goal will be accomplished, a team concept has been
developed between the rape prosecutor, the law enforcement community,
the medical community which conducts the sexual assault exams, and the
Victim's Program of the District Attorney's Office. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Adult Sexual Abuse Prosecution |
|
| |
Sexual assault cases, as
a class of cases, are the most difficult cases to prosecute due to the
limited evidence inherent in sexual assault, the attitudes of the
community and the great emotional needs and demands of victims.
Statistics indicate one out of six women will be raped in
a lifetime. Yet, those charged with compiling these figures agree that
rape statistics are unreliable because many victims will not ever report
the crime. According to F.B.I. calculations, between four in five
victims fail to report the crime of rape. More extensive studies
conducted indicate that one in 10 rapes is reported.
A major purpose for creating the Rape/Violent Sexual Assault Prosecutor
in the Family Protection Unit of the Tulare County District Attorney's
Office is to alleviate or eliminate the fear in a "survivor" of rape. In
addition to increasing the number of rapes reported in Tulare
County,
through community awareness and education, the rape prosecutor also
aggressively prosecutes those sexual assault cases that are reported.
Although it is recognized that no one can force a "survivor" of rape to
report the crime, it is also noteworthy that one of the main reasons
given for not reporting the crime was an ignorance about the resources
available to victims.
To ensure that this goal will be accomplished, a team concept has been
developed between the rape prosecutor, the law enforcement community,
the medical community which conducts the sexual assault exams, and the
Victim's Program of the District Attorney's Office. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Statutory Rape |
|
| |
The
growing crisis of fatherless families is beginning to have tragic
consequences in our society. Tulare
County has one of the highest rates of
teenage pregnancy in the nation. Those who engage in unlawful sexual
activities with minors must be held responsible for their actions. Those
minors who are willing partners in this activity, likewise must
understand their responsibility, especially when the result of this
liaison is a pregnancy.
In May 1996, the Tulare County District Attorney's Office received a
state grant for a pilot program to investigate and prosecute unlawful
sexual intercourse. Out of this grant, our office developed the Return
to Respect and Responsibility Project (The 3R Project). The program
targets violations of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor 14 to 16
years of age by an adult 21 years or older. The 3R Project centers on
the vertical prosecution of statutory rape cases and brings
accountability, both criminally and civilly, to our community. It is
staffed with a prosecuting attorney, a victim's rights advocate, and a
full-time investigator. At the core of this project is a multi-faceted,
coordinated unit of professionals seeking to impact individuals and the
greater community.
With the goal of decreasing teenage pregnancy in mind, the 3R Project
sponsored the first statewide conference on statutory rape and teen
pregnancy prevention. The Second Annual Conference was held at the
Visalia Convention Center
on May 12 – 14, 1999. The goal of the conference was to provide
attendees with new and innovative ideas in the fight to prevent unlawful
sexual intercourse and teenage pregnancy. The conference was attended
by 290 persons, including representatives from District Attorney
Offices, educational institutions, social service providers, and law
enforcement agencies. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
