Sexual Assault Needs Assessment in Texas

Sexual Assault Needs Assessment in Texas:

Documenting Existing Conditions and Striving Toward Preferred Outcomes

http://www.utexas.edu/ssw/dl/files/cswr/institutes/idvsa/publications/SANA.pdf

"Little is known about the range and efficacy of services for adult victims of sexual assault across the state of Texas from point of outcry by a victim to the indictment and adjudication of the offender, and the factors that promote or hinder  victim restoration and offender accountability. Findings generated from this evaluation contribute to our understanding of the scope and effectiveness of services with the major aim toward providing direction to policy makers, practitioners and advocates, first responders, and community members about how to meet the complex needs of victims, hold offenders accountable, and ultimately ameliorate this crime. 

This project’s impetus is grounded in 2003 statewide prevalence study that reported that sexual assault as a serious social problem in Texas; 20% of women and 5% of men are victimized. In addition, there was a ground swell of questions from leaders and practitioners about the current state of sexual assault services and preferred outcomes.  Overall, our interest was to pursue ways to improve responses for victims and those that assist them."