Helping rape victims

Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008 | 2:08 a.m.

It would be easier to prosecute criminals if all victims of crime cooperated immediately so the perpetrators could be dealt with swiftly. But not all victims are willing to immediately step forward. In the case of rape, and the trauma that goes with it, this is understandable.

Victims of sexual assault often fear that if they cooperate with police, they will be attacked again by the rapist. No amount of police protection will change their minds. Some victims eventually agree to talk with police, though it may take months or years for that to happen.

As reported Sunday by Abigail Goldman in the Las Vegas Sun, a new federal law that takes effect Jan. 5 will require states to offer free forensic medical examinations to rape victims even if they do not wish to initially cooperate with police. If Nevada doesn’t comply, it stands to lose $1.2 million in annual federal grant money to assist female victims of violent crime.

On Wednesday representatives of Southern Nevada’s criminal justice system will meet with health care providers, social workers and victims’ advocates to arrive at ways to implement the new law. We have every reason to expect that Nevada will comply, and not simply because it will preserve our grant. Sexual assault victims deserve consideration. Allowing them to receive an exam without the pressure of immediately cooperating with police and naming names is one way of showing it.

The exam will collect DNA evidence that can be stored and retrieved in the event the victim changes her mind and identifies the perpetrator. Because Nevada law gives victims four years to file a written report to keep their case alive, we believe the DNA sample should be preserved at least that long. The test sample also could help identify serial rapists.

If Nevada and other states find the exams are too costly to implement, we would urge Congress to help with the necessary funding.