What type of offense is sexual assault and rape considered in the military?
Sexual assault and rape are basically criminal offenses. These often are associated with serious physical injury. The management of these cases must be a joint medical and legal cooperation.
Who are the primary investigators of a sexual assault event?
The Naval Criminal Investigations Service (NCIS) will supply a sexual assault investigation kit which is used to gather and preserve evidence for the crime. This kit includes a step-by-step guide for examination of the patient and a checklist of specimens to be collected.
In order to protect the evidence that will be used in the legal proceedings, representatives among the naval treatment facility, military, and civilian investigation agencies, and state and local agencies should be working together.
What is not the role of the treatment facility in a sexual assault case?
The medical personnel who are there to treat the patient are not to get involved with the individuals in question. They are not the judge, defend, or prosecute the suspects.
If you want to learn more about the guidelines for care, evaluation, and documentation in a situation of sexual assault and rape, look into NAVMEDCOMINST 6310.3 series, Management of Alleged or Suspected Sexual Assault and Rape Cases.
How do treatment facilities proceed when caring for sexual assault victims?
Medical staff is expected to treat the patient with respect, courtesy, and privacy. They must focus on the psychological factors and try to alleviate the victim.
The real questioning and the use of the right words are very important when taking into account the history and the examination.
What are some guidances on sexual assault in the military?
To learn more about the guidance for the care and support of the alleged victim of a sexual assault, look into OPNAVINST 1752.1 series, Sexual Assault Victim Intervention (SAVI) Program as well as SECNAVINST 5800.11 series, Victim and Witness Program.
