Sexual’Assault’ResponseTeam’ …€™Assault’ResponseTeam’ PinellasCountyFlorida’...

Sexual Assault Response Team Pinellas County Florida Annual Report 2012

Pinellas SART: A community-‐wide multidisciplinary coordinating group that promotes a comprehensive response to sexual violence.

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Thank you to our collaborating partners . . .

Belleair Police Department Clearwater Police Department Gulfport Police Department

Indian Shores Police Department Kenneth City Police Department

Largo Police Department Office of the State Attorney – Sixth Judicial District

Pinellas County Schools Police Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Pinellas Park Police Department St. Petersburg Police Department

Suncoast Center, Inc. Tarpon Springs Police Department Treasure Island Police Department

University of South Florida Police Services

And our SART Statistical Sub-‐committee:

Kristina Barker, Suncoast Center, Inc. Rape Crisis Center Coleen Chaney, Largo Police Department

Belinda Darcy, Clearwater Police Department Sandra Garcia-‐Olivares, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office

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Though I can’t change what happened, I can choose how to react.

~ Tori Amos

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Definitions

SART Mission: To provide a coordinated response to sexual violence that makes victims’ needs a priority, hold offenders accountable, and promote public safety. Intimate Partners: Interpersonal relationships involving physical or emotional intimacy. Physical intimacy is characterized by romantic or passionate attachment or sexual activity. While the term intimate relationship commonly infers the inclusion of a sexual relationship, the term is also sometimes used as a euphemism for a relationship that is strictly sexual. Acquaintance: A person whom one knows but who is not a particularly close friend. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE): A registered nurse who has been specially trained to provide comprehensive care to sexual assault patients, who demonstrates competency in coordinating a forensic exam, and has the ability to be an expert witness. Sexual Battery: The legal term for rape or sexual assault in Florida. Section 794.011 (h), Florida Statutes, defines sexual battery as “oral, anal, or vaginal penetration by, or union with, the sexual organ of another of the anal or vaginal penetration of another by any other object; however, sexual battery doesn’t not include an act done for a bona fide medical purpose. Stranger: A person who is unknown; One who is neither a friend nor an acquaintance.

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2012: A Pinellas County Overview

Total SAVE exams: 168 total Reported to Law Enforcement: 141 Non-‐Reported: 27

2012 Sexual Assaults by Month

16

9

9

15

15

14

22

17

7

23

11

10

0 5 10 15 20 25

December

November

October

September

August

July

June

May

April

March

February

January

Exams

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Victim Data

Female 161 Male 7

Victim Age Total

12-‐17 37 18-‐28 69 29-‐39 31 40-‐50 18 51-‐61 10 61+ 3

Victim Ethnicity Total White 122 Black 32

Hispanic 12 Asian 1

Native American 1

Drug & Alcohol Data

86 (51.19%) Cases involving drug use by victim 86 (51.19%) Cases involving alcohol use by victim

42 (25%)cases Involving a mix of drugs & alcohol use by victim

Of the above statistics . . .

Ø 67 (77.90%) Cases involved prescription drugs* Ø 17 (19.76%) Cases involved illegal drugs Ø 7 (.08%) Cases involved unknown drugs

Ø 1 (.01%) Case involved over the counter drug/household cleaner *This does not indicate the drugs were prescribed to the victim or that they were taken as prescribed.

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Offender Data

99 (58.92%) Known (single) Offenders* 32 (19.04%) Unknown (single) Offenders

9 (.053%) Lack of information/couldn’t recall/refusal

Victim to Offender Relationships -‐ reported by victim

29 Friends 4 Relative 25 Acquaintances 3 Caretaker 11 Intimate partners 2 Employer 5 Former intimate partners 1 Co-‐worker

Location of Assault – reported by victim

30 Offender’s house 2 Party 25 Victims house 1 Abandoned house 5 Hotel/Motel 1 Offender’s boat 4 Public place (woods/park/beach) 1 Offender’s car 3 Parking lot 1 Workplace 3 Unknown 1 School 2 Friend’s house 1 Various

-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐-‐ 28 (16.5%) Multiple Offender situations included:

31 Known Offenders 43 Unknown Offenders

Weapons Used

16 (.09%) Situations involved a weapon Ø 10 Known offenders Ø 6 Unknown offenders

5 guns -‐-‐ 4 knives-‐-‐ 2 box cutters -‐-‐ 1 razor blade -‐-‐ 1 crack pipe

1 plastic bag -‐-‐1 chair leg -‐-‐ 1 something sharp

*80 cases involving a single known offender were available for closer study.

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Victims reported that sexual assaults happened more frequently on the weekends, with Saturdays and Sundays accounting for 39.28 % of all SAVE exams.

88.69% of SAVE exams are performed within 3 days of the sexual assault.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

Unknown Saturday Friday

Thursday Wednesday

Tuesday Monday Sunday

Unknown Saturday Friday Thursday Wednesday Tuesday Monday Sunday

Assaults 5 37 17 23 23 14 20 29

Day of Assault

Same Day 1 Day 2 Days 3 Days 4 Days 5 Days Unknow

n 6 + Days

* Timelapse 71 48 21 9 1 2 5 11

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

# of Exams

Timelapse

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2012 (Reported) Sexual Assaults by Law Enforcement Jurisdiction

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

SPPD

CPD

PCSO

LPD

PPPD

TSPD

KCPD

GPPD

SPBPD

SPPD CPD PCSO LPD PPPD TSPD KCPD GPPD SPBPD Exams 53 27 26 19 7 5 2 1 1

Save Exams

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Appendix A Monthly overview of SAVE exams.

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2 2

1

SPPD CPD LPD Tarpon

January 2012 # of Exams

3

1 1 1 1 1

3

SPPD CPD LPD TSPD PPPD KCPD Not Reported

February 2012 # of Exams

11

7

4

3 3 3

1

2

SPPD CPD PCSO LPD PPPD GPD Not Reported

March 2012 # of Exams

1 1 1 1 1

2

SPPD CPD PCSO LPD TSPD Not Reported

April 2012 # of Exams

12

4

3

4 4

2

SPPD CPD PCSO LPD Not Reported

May 2012 # of Exams

10

3 4

1 1

3

SPPD CPD PCSO LPD TSPD Not Reported

June 2012 # of Exams

13

1

2 2 2

1 1

5

SPPD CPD PCSO LPD PPPD KCPD Not Reported

July 2012 # of Exams

8

2

1 1 1

2

SPPD PCSO PPPD TSPD SPBPD Not Reported

August 2012 # of Exams

14

5

3

2

3

2


September 2012 # of Exams

5

1 1

2

SPPD PCSO PPPD Not Reported

October 2012 # of Exams

15

1

4

2

1 1


November 2012 # of Exams

3

4

5

1

3


December 2012 # of Exams

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Appendix B: Trends Identified

The average victim is a white female between 18-‐28, who knows her

attacker and is using alcohol or drugs

#1: Victims engaged in alcohol and or drug use a high rates:

Ø 86 (51.19%) reported alcohol use Ø 86 (51.19%) reported drug use Ø 42 (25%) reported mixing alcohol & drugs

#2: Although minor victims accounted for 22.02% of overall exams, they engaged in alcohol and/or drug use at a rate of 62.14%:

Ø 11 (29.72%) reported alcohol use Ø 6 (16.21%) reported drug use Ø 6 (16.21%) reported mixing alcohol & drugs

#3: Of the 86 cases involving victim reported drug use, prescription medication far surpassed ‘illegal’ drugs:

Ø 67 (77.9%) cases involved prescription drugs Ø Multiple forms of anti-‐depressants, anxiety medications, and narcotic pain relievers were cited by victims:

o Klonopin, Xanax & Oxycodone were used in 8 cases each o Followed by: Celexa (6); Zoloft (6) o Dilaudid (4); Trazadone (4) o Ambian (3); Cymbalta (3); Percocet (3); Methadone (3); Abilify (3); Non-‐specific anxiety medications (3)

o Aderal (2); Concerta (2); Flexaril (2); Valium (2); Soma (2); Ativan (2)

o Morphine, Vicoden, Cholrpromazine, Prozac, Wellbutrin, Topamax were used in 1 case each

Ø 36 (53.73%) reported using more than 1 prescription drug Ø 7 (10.44%) could not be tabulated due to insufficient data

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#4: Minor victims were involved in a higher percentage of “multiple offender” situations than adult victims:

Ø 10 (27.02%) of sexual assaults with minors had multiple offenders Ø This accounted for 35.71% of all multiple offender situations Ø Average number of offenders: 3 Ø Most offenders: 5 (3 instances) Ø 25 known offenders Ø 13 unknown offenders Ø 5 (50%) cases involving alcohol use by victim Ø 3 (30%) cases involving drug use by victim Ø 1 (10%) case involving a mix of drugs & alcohol use by victim

#5: Although minority victims represented 37 (22.02%) of total SAVE exams; they are over-‐represented in exams involving minor victims with 18 (48.64%) being minorities.

Ø Black: 12 Ø Hispanic: 5 Ø Asian: 1

#6: SAVE Exam numbers spiked in March 2012.

Ø Many school “Spring Holidays” are during this month. #7: 41 of the 168 files (24.40%) included faulty/incomplete data. Faulty and missing data was noted in the following areas:

Ø Reported / Non-‐Reported Ø Law Enforcement Agency Ø Date of Exam Ø Date of Assault Ø Report # Ø Known vs Unknown offender Ø Victim drug use Ø Victim alcohol use Ø Sex of victim Ø SAVE vs Aftercare

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#8: Data linked to CPT Exams and Aftercare exams were combined with SAVE files. #9: “SAVE exams” were performed up to 23 days post-‐assault:

Ø 14 exams were performed outside of the 72-‐hour SAVE exam scope as favored by FDLE

Ø 11 exams were performed outside of 120-‐hour window as preferred by FCASV

Ø Inclusion of aftercare clients skew SAVE data Ø Labeling an exam so far out of the recommended time frame regarding recoverable forensic evidence as a “SAVE exam”, encourages the victim to develop unrealistic expectations and could contribute to increased negative reactions and coping behaviors.

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Appendix C Recommendations (1) Increase commitment to quality assurance:

Ø Implement a process to review exams before they are 'finalized' and provided to Law Enforcement. This would allow for inclusion of incomplete data as well as providing an opportunity to amend inaccuracies.

Ø A monthly file review by a community partner would: o Serve as a check and balance for: data collected, standardization attempts, the integrity of scanned files and the appropriateness of inclusion in SAVE statistics.

o Increase the various Examiners (SANE) ability to offer expert and accurate testimony in the court arena.

Ø Standardize exam forms.

(2) Increase advocacy at SAVE exams:

Ø VOCA funded Suncoast trauma services staff should be scheduled for a monthly on-‐ call exam accompaniment/advocacy rotation.

Ø Refine the screening process when scheduling SAVE exams to address:

o Striving for 100% advocacy while avoiding duplication of services

Ø Develop a Speakers Bureau specific to Sexual Violence in the Pinellas County community that will: ◦ Educate and engage community members. ◦ Engage appropriate volunteers for exam accompaniment.

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(3) Adopt a dynamic software or system based data collection instrument that allows for:

Ø More accurate collection of data. Ø Easy and flexible data extrapolation. Ø Standardized options where appropriate (pull-‐down menus related to LEO; Race).

Ø Fully completed documentation with all areas populated with data.

Ø Increased accuracy of information being shared with Law Enforcement and Prosecutors.

Ø PDF’s shared with LEO are the industry standard (CPT exams), investigate that transition.

Ø More specific and timely education and outreach efforts. Ø More specific data being shared with funders regarding trends and populations.

(4) Clarify and standardize what a “Known” and “Unknown” attacker is, a consistent application is needed:

Ø Taking the survivors narrative first (prior to known/unknown question) would assist with understanding any victim/attacker relationship.

Ø The over-‐representation and incorrect labeling of “Unknown” attackers can:

o Perpetuate the 'stranger-‐rape' myth. o Misinform our communities. o Result in non-‐specific and inadequate safety planning for survivors.

o Create survivor impeachment issues in the court system(s).

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(5) Clarify and standardize what a drug is, a consistent application is needed:

Ø Illegal drugs vs. prescription medication. Ø Inconsistent data in an exam can create survivor impeachment issues in the court system(s).

Ø Inconsistent data hinders accurate and specific community education and outreach efforts.

Ø Inaccurate data can result in non-‐specific and inadequate safety planning for survivors.

(6) Better distinguish “NOT REPORTED” exams on the front page:

Ø Many exams identified a law enforcement agency but included no report #, leaving it difficult to determine if it's reported, not reported, or incomplete data.

Ø Some exams indicated “unknown” Law Enforcement Agency, it is unclear if this indicates jurisdiction has not been determined or that the survivor does not wish to report.

(7) On-‐site record retention for a period of 5 years:

Ø This will assist the SAVE Team Coordinator with accountability, accessibility, and confidentiality of exam-‐related data.

Ø Addressing staff transitions by implementing a close-‐out memo process or exit interview process to allow for continuity of service and information.

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(8) Collect intimate partner data: Safely provide information and referrals to survivors and share data with appropriate agencies:

Ø Highlight basic safety planning for survivors returning home to the perpetrating intimate partner.

Ø During advocacy portion of SAVE exam identify a safe/unmonitored email address or a safe/unmonitored telephone number to text CASA or The Haven of RCS links to.

Ø Specific statistics will assist with changing the stranger rape myth. Ø Specific statistics will be a valuable tool when doing community outreach and education.

Ø Enhance any existing collaborations with the Pinellas County Domestic Violence Task Force.

Ø Provide specific data for outreach, education and safety planning to both CASA and The Haven of RCS regarding the frequency of intimate partner sexual violence as indicated by annual reporting.

(9) Establish an annual Pinellas County SART report:

Ø Publish each year during Sexual Assault Awareness Month / National Victims' Rights Week.

Ø Engage in an ongoing dialogue by sharing with community members, educators, parent groups, Law Enforcement, prosecutors and faith communities.

Ø Enhance the SAVE programs public profile. Ø Raise awareness.

(10) Research the options available for Suncoast and/or SART to sponsor female self-‐defense classes:

Ø Offer annually as a part of SAAM event calendar. Ø Would appeal to all demographics.

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