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New Law Will Help Rape Victims

By Steven Rodriguez

Rape victims are finally catching a break. A new federal mandate that goes into effect in 2009 will allow rape victims to undergo a forensic rape exam in a local emergency room without going to the police. The evidence will be sealed and kept on file in case they decide to press charges. Many rape victims are too ashamed or afraid to go to the police right away. Often, victims are too traumatized to come forward until it is too late to collect evidence. Prosecutors say lack of evidence is one of the biggest obstacles to prosecuting rape cases. “Sometimes, the issue of actually having to make a report to police can be a barrier to victims, and this will allow that barrier to cease, to allow the victim to think about it before deciding whether to talk to police,” explained Carey Goryl, executive director of the International Association of Forensic Nurses...continue to full post

Full post as published by LA Criminal Defense Blog on May 16, 2008 (boomark / email).