SAVRAA Task Force
The Sexual Assault Victims Rights Act Amendment Task Force was statutorily created and convened its first monthly meeting on October 8th, 2014. The task force is made up of representatives from the Office of Victims Services and Justice Grants, system-based and community-based service providers, advocates, The Metroplitan Police Department, the Office of the Attorney General and survivor representatives from the District of Columbia.
On January 31st, 2016 the Task Force provided a report that includes the results of the assessments, developments, and recommendations to the District of Columbia Council and the Sexual Assault Response Team on the following items:
(1) The development and implementation of an effective mechanism for submitting, tracking, and investigating complaints regarding the handling of, or response to, a sexual assault report or investigation by any agency or organization involved in the response;
(2) Whether a need exists for additional sexual assault victim advocates.
(3) Whether a need exists to expand the right to a sexual assault victim advocate beyond the hospital and law enforcement interview settings, such as meetings and conversations with prosecutors.
(4) Whether a need exists to expand the right to a sexual assault victim advocate to juvenile sexual assault victims.