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 WHAT IS SEXUAL ASSAULT?
Sexual assault is a violent crime. It is a crime that can and does happen to anyone. It is never your fault.
If you or someone you know has been assaulted, Day One is available to assist victims of violence and their families. Advocates provide information about the criminal justice system, assist victims in
communicating with police and personnel from the Department of the Attorney General, and provide emotional support throughout the course of the case.
RHODE ISLAND SEXUAL ASSAULT STATUTES
§ 11-37-2 First degree sexual assault.
– A person is guilty of first degree sexual assault if he or she engages in sexual penetration with another person, and if any of the following circumstances exist:
(1) The accused, not being the spouse, knows or has reason to know that the victim is mentally incapacitated, mentally disabled, or physically helpless. (2) The accused uses force or coercion. (3) The accused, through concealment or by the element of surprise, is able to overcome the victim. (4) The accused engages in the medical treatment or examination of the victim for the purpose of
sexual arousal, gratification, or stimulation.
§ 11-37-4 Second degree sexual assault. – A person is guilty of a second degree sexual assault if he or she engages in sexual contact with another person and if any of the following circumstances exist:
(1) The accused knows or has reason to know that the victim is mentally incapacitated, mentally disabled or physically helpless. (2) The accused uses force or coercion.
(3) The accused engages in the medical treatment or examination of the victim for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification or stimulation.
§ 11-37-6 Third degree sexual assault. – A person is guilty of third degree sexual assault if he or she is over the age of eighteen (18) years and engaged in sexual penetration with another person over the age
of fourteen (14) years and under the age of consent, sixteen (16) years of age. "Sexual penetration" means sexual intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, and anal intercourse, or any other
intrusion, however slight, by any part of a person's body or by any object into the genital or anal openings of another person's body, or the victim's own body upon the accused's instruction, but emission of semen is not required.
ADULT LEGAL ADVOCACY
Legal advocacy includes personal and individual support, assisting victims with obtaining restraining orders, educating victims about the legal process, education and outreach to schools, the public, or other
community professionals about sexual assault and sensitivity to victims of crime, among other things. The purpose of legal advocacy is to provide victims of crime with accurate information so victims can be
equipped to make their own decisions when they find themselves operating within the legal system. Trained volunteers and staff are available to provide information about the criminal justice process and
ongoing emotional support, make referrals, and serve as liaisons with police and the Department of the Attorney General. Advocacy Program staff are available to assist victims of violence and their families who
are involved in the criminal justice process. Adult Legal Advocacy is run through SART, the Sexual Assault Response Team. Specific services offered through SART include:
- 24 hour Victims of Crime Helpline (1-800-494-8100);
- Accompaniment to hospital emergency departments for victims of domestic violence, hate crimes, and sexual assault;
- Accompaniment to police departments for victims of sexual assault;
- Legal advocacy;
- Information and referrals; and
- Other assistance to victims of violence and their families.
SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINER (SANE) PROGRAM
SANE provides a victim-sensitive solution to systemic gaps in the medical-legal response to victims of sexual assault. A SANE is a registered nurse (R.N.) with advanced education and clinical preparation in the forensic
examination and evidence collection of sexual assault victims. In addition to collecting forensic evidence, a SANE is able to inform and educate the victim of the legal and medical resources available to her.
Through this initiative, Day One will help coordinate a statewide community-based SANE program for Rhode Island focused on the victim, providing sensitive solutions where needs have been identified in both the
medical and legal response to cases of sexual assault. For more information, please contact the SANE Coordinator at 401-421-4100.
SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE TEAM (SART)
SART is a legal advocacy program intended to offer victims of sexual assault, age 14 years and older, with information and emotional support through their experience with the criminal justice system.
SART is a multi-disciplinary team (MDT) approach made up of all Rhode Island law enforcement, Day One and the RI Attorney General's Office. SART helps keep victims updated on the status of their case, serves
as a liaison between the victim another members of the MDT, provides police and court accompaniments and provides support, advocacy and referral services as needed.
All SART services are provided free of charge. If you would like to access these services, please contact the SART Case Manager at (401) 421-4100, ext. 141. |
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