While the need for supervised visitation and exchange for victims of domestic violence and their children had long been recognized, the Safe Havens Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Program (Safe Havens Program) provided a key opportunity to expand services available and to do so in a way that accounted for the realities of domestic violence. By focusing on the realities of domestic violence post-separation, this program has led to a significant shift in how those services are offered.

In April 2013, the Office on Violence Against Women announced publication of the 2nd edition of the National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations, Adult/Adolescent (SAFE Protocol, 2d.), available at https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ovw/241903.pdf. The 145-page document discusses transgender survivors 25 times. In nearly every case, the content truly is trans-specific (as opposed to “LGBT”), including a major section on pages 38-39. This annotated handout provides additional information about each of the references in the Protocol.

Offers technical assistance and training on the Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Exam.

This special collection explores ways to promote safe internet use, build healthy online communities, and promote social justice online, while addressing some of the ways that abusers misuse technology to commit gender-based violence. The collection features resources that highlight the importance of privacy and promote safe online interactions, paying particular attention to working with children and youth to foster safe online spaces. It also includes resources for survivors who have experienced or are currently experiencing digital abuse, and provides helpful information for service providers.

Develops resources and information on the use of technology for agencies and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and trafficking. Toolkits contain helpful information for victim service agencies and survivors.

This trans-specific safety planning tool covers: basic facts about intimate partner violence; safety planning; groundwork; staying safe at home; emergency safety bag; financial planning; safe havens; safety in your new place; safety on the job and in public; orders of protection; protecting children and pets; and emotional support.

The Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) offers an Evidence Tracking Toolkit, which includes documents, webinars, and other resources on a three key topics: (1) Conducting a Sexual Assault Kit Inventory, (2) Selecting and Implementing and Evidence Tracking System, and (3) Sample Evidence Tracking Systems.

This report provides a detailed review of the sexual assault forensic examinations conducted in 2012-2013 in San Diego County, CA.

These Standards of Practice address the timeliness and quality of examinations, access and availability, cost, prosecutability, and communications among providers of services. As with any dynamic process, these Standards are a continual work in progress. It is recommended that they be reviewed and revised yearly.

The goal of this manual is to provide the necessary information to develop and operate a SANE program in an easily understood format. It includes references for or samples of many essential forms, policies, procedures, protocols, training options, and program evaluation tools. Standards of Practice are provided when there is a recognized standard. When program options are a choice, advantages and disadvantages for each option are discussed.

The purpose of the SANE Program Development and Operation Guide (Guide) is to provide a blueprint for nurses and communities that would like to start a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program. For communities with existing SANE programs, the Guide serves as a resource to help expand or enhance services provided to the community. This Guide is designed to both complement and integrate resources that already exist, such as the National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations, the International Association of Forensic Nurses SANE Education Guidelines, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center SANE Sustainability Project, the American College of Emergency Room Physicians Evaluation and Management of the Sexually Assaulted or Sexually Abused Patient, and the Office for Victims of Crime SART Toolkit.

In the original SANE Development and Operation Guide, much of the research looked at whether registered nurses could perform sexual assault medical forensic examinations. Twenty years later, using nursing theory and SANE practice research, this revision and enhancement of the Guide demonstrates that nurses should be the ones to provide this care.

The integrity of sexual assault evidence collection and storage is a key issue in clinical forensic practice—and is a topic upon which the current edition of the National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations: Adults/Adolescent1 offers guidance. The issue encompasses two components: 1) the medical forensic documentation associated with the patient’s history and physical examination (i.e., medical forensic examination record, photographic records)2 and 2) the sexual assault evidence collection kit3.

This document provides links to a variety of templates for SANE Service Agreements, which are used by hospitals/communities that contract with an independent SANE entity. For example, we have provided a template contract between an Independent Forensic Entity and the City that seeks to contract for forensic services. We’ve also provided templates on the insurance requirements for consultants and contracts, as well as sample MOU’s. These templates can be adapted to fit the needs of your community.

This brief assessment tool provides communities with the opportunity to explore community readiness for sexual assault response team development regarding perceptions, resources and services.

This article explains the problems that have arisen as a result of over-reliance on conviction rates as measures of success in cases of sexual violence. It identifies the core principles that should inform a model response to these crimes to further the goals of justice, including offender accountability, victim well-being, and community safety. Finally, it discusses how prosecutors can broaden definitions of “success” in the prosecution of sexual violence, and how they can measure their current response to identify paths to improvement.

This report by the The Palette Fund, True Colors Fund, and the Williams Institute presents data from The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Homeless Youth Provider Survey, a web-based survey conducted from October 2011 through March 2012. The survey was designed to assess the experiences of homeless youth organizations in providing services to LGBT youth. It also assessed the prevalence of LGBT youth within the homeless populations being served by these organizations. In total, 381 respondents completed at least part of the survey, representing 354 agencies throughout the United States.

The International Labor Organization estimates that there are 4.5 million victims of sex trafficking worldwide.2 While the prevalence of sex trafficking in the United States is still unknown, we do know that women, children, and men are being sold for sex against their will in cities and towns in all 50 states. A shocking number of these victims are citizens of the United States. In 2014, the Urban Institute studied the underground commercial sex economy in eight U.S. cities and estimated that this illicit activity generated between $39.9 million and $290 million in revenue depending on the city.3 According to the study, pimps in one city earned an average of $32,833 per week. It is within this economy that sex trafficking thrives, and with this potential for earnings, sex trafficking is considered a low risk, high-reward endeavor.

Sexual abuse of the elderly is one of the most unfathomable crimes and it’s critical to shed light on it. Women over the age of 70 who suffer from Alzheimer’s or dementia are more likely to become victims of abuse.

Why don’t many people fight or yell when they’re being raped? Why are memories of sexual assault so often fragmentary and confusing? The answers have big implications for people who’ve been sexually assaulted, for those who investigate and prosecute such assaults, and for everyone else who knows or works with someone who’s been sexually assaulted. On this website created by neuroscience expert Dr. Jim Hopper, answers to those questions are provided along with videos, writings, and handouts.

This article explores the importance of non-DNA forensic evidence in sexual assault cases. Using examples, this article reassures criminal justice professionals that in cases where probative DNA evidence is not readily available, non-DNA evidence can be just as important in the investigation and prosecution.