Illinois Takes Steps to Improve Police Handling of Rape Cases

Governing
This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators.
Click here for more.
Illinois Takes Steps to Improve Police Handling of Rape Cases Giving Compass

Giving Compass’ Take:

• Annie Sweeney reports that in order to better serve the public, police officers in Illinois are receiving training to help them better understand and help rape victims. 

• What are the larger implications of this law for criminal justice in Illinois? How can other states follow Illinois lead to increase rape reports?

• Learn why it is crucial for colleges to take sexual assault seriously. 

Advocates and law enforcement officials say such fear and doubt about how their allegations will be investigated has long deterred sexual assault victims from coming forward. As few as 1 in 5 rapes are reported, they say.

In an attempt to close that gap, a little-known change in Illinois state law is trying to improve how police respond to victims of rape, mandating police officers across the state undergo new training that not only emphasizes the need for sensitivity to the difficult cases but also teaches the science behind how a brain reacts to trauma.

The law also requires that police must take a report for every allegation of rape — no matter how long ago it might have occurred or what jurisdiction it occurred in.

For Chicago police, the new training is already underway for recruits and will begin soon for detectives. Officers who investigate sex crimes should receive the training over the next two years. The state training board has held three statewide trainings for other departments as well.

Reports of criminal sexual assaults have been increasing in Chicago over the past five years, up from 1,401 in 2013 to 1,738 in 2017.

No one is certain whether the new reporting law is having an impact on the number of reports taken by the Chicago police. But advocates say there is no doubt increased conversation on the issue has led to more calls for help over the past few years.

Read the full article on police handling of rape cases by Annie Sweeney at Governing Magazine. 

If you are looking for more articles and resources for Women and Girls, take a look at these Giving Compass selections related to impact giving and Women and Girls.

  • This article is deemed a must-read by one or more of our expert collaborators.
    Click here for more.
    Philanthropy’s Role in Improving Women’s Mental Health

    Giving Compass' Take: • Arabella Advisors explains the opportunity for funders to provide catalytic dollars to drive innovation toward improving women's mental health. • What existing resources and knowledge can be leveraged to support women's health?  • Learn about women's connections to the healthcare delivery system. Women’s mental health and wellbeing have traditionally received insufficient attention from the healthcare field, from government, and from philanthropy, creating a gap that needs to be filled if we hope to see progress on numerous intersecting issues, from women’s rights to health care to education. Funders now have an enormous opportunity to drive significant change on this issue. By providing catalytic resources, shining a light on the critical issues at stake, and encouraging those in other fields to take action, they can drive innovations and advancements with wide-ranging positive impacts. These impacts will start with women themselves but extend quickly to the children, families, and communities that depend upon them—including, crucially, disadvantaged communities and communities of color. Funders can and should do more—and, since their areas of focus often depend upon women’s mental health and wellbeing, many can do so without having to significantly adjust their strategies. Indeed, many funders can increase their impact on this front simply by considering how existing programs could include efforts to improve women’s mental health.

Looking for a way to get involved?

If you are interested in Advocacy and Policy, please see these relevant events, training, conferences or volunteering opportunities the Giving Compass team recommends.

Loading...
Learn More
Are you ready to give?

In addition to learning and connecting with others, taking action is a key step towards becoming an impact giver. If you are interested in giving with impact for Advocacy and Policy take a look at these Giving Funds, Charitable Organizations or Projects.

Loading...
Learn More

Sign in

Your personal information is confidential at Giving Compass. For more information, please visit our privacy policy. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use.