Understanding Medical and

Legal Processes
1

SEXUAL ASSAULT
RESPONSE LIAISON (SARL)
AND
SAFETY AND SECURITY
COORDINATOR (SSC)
TRAINING

Session Learning Objectives

2

Clearly explain the criminal investigation and legal

process specific to your country and your role

within each.

Describe the major components of a typical SAFE

exam and its potential psychological and physical

impacts on a volunteer.
Session materials are in Tab 8 of your binders.

The Process
3

1.

2.

3.

Criminal Investigation
Applied science in which investigators establish facts and
collect evidence to determine if:

A crime has taken place

Identify suspects

Prove guilt or innocence of implicated individuals

SAFE exam
Sexual Assault Forensic Examination conducted following a
sexual assault. Purpose is to collect evidence and document
injury.
Legal Process

Criminal Investigation
4

Typically begins with a complaint to local authorities.

Police may take statements, collect evidence, attempt to

establish identity of the offender, develop working theory.

Police will arrest suspect, conduct identification of suspect.

Police will present evidence and investigative report to

Prosecutor.

Prosecutor will review evidence and charge suspect if

possible.

What would you say to a volunteer if they reported a

sexual assault and felt that the local authorities did not
take them seriously or were rude during the interview?

What would justice mean for you?

5

Imagine you were a PCV victim of sexual assault.

What would justice mean for you?

The prosecution of the offender?

The ability to finish your service?
Feeling you have returned to life as it was before the
assault?
All of the above?
Something else?

Are there other forms of justice in your country?

What are they?

SAFE Examination
6

Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE); See Handout:

How did this exam make you feel?

How do you think a Volunteer might react to the SAFE
exam?

The Legal Process

7

In the U.S., the phases of the criminal justice system

can be summarized as follows:

Law

enforcement

Prosecution
Judiciary

and courts

Peace Corps Statistics

8

45% of Rape/Major Sexual Assault Victims who

report to Peace Corps, report to law enforcement.

31% ultimately decide to pursue prosecution.
Of those,
56% have resulted in convictions;
25% are either in the investigative or judicial process;
7% are acquitted;
7% the State declined to prosecute;
5% there are no leads.

Arrests are made in 70% of reported cases.

Legal Environment Surveys (LES)

9

A complete LES should include the following:

Explanation of process for filing complaint;

Overview of the investigative and judicial process;
Overview of the role of the victim in this process;
Role of a private attorney;
Overview of the process for conducting a sexual assault
forensic exam;
Overview of the host countrys forensic collection and
processing capabilities;
Names and contact information for medical, legal, law
enforcement and laboratory personnel.

Legal Environment Surveys (LES)

10

Review your Legal Environment Survey together with

your country team.

Work as a team to complete the LES Summary sheet in

Tab 8 of your binders.

As you complete the summary sheet, think about how

to summarize key points of the LES for a Volunteer.

Once you return to Post, schedule a follow-up

conversation with your PCSSO to review the summary

and answer any questions.

LES Summary Sheet

11