• Civil Legal Rights
• Clergy Sexual Abuse
• DNA
• Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault
• Economic Justice
• Indigenous Issues
• Marital Rape
• Privacy & Confidentiality
• Public Health
• Sex Offender
  • Sentencing
  • Registration
  • Treatment
  • Management
• Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
• Sexual Violence on Campus
• Sexual Violence in the Military
• Sexual Violence in Prisons
• Trafficking

• United States v. Morrison (99-5) HTML (2000)
  This summarizes the U.S. Supreme Court decision to strike down Civil Rights Remedy of the Violence Against Women Act. This Civil Rights Remedy law had provided survivors of dv and sv the right to sue their assailants in civil federal court. [More Info]

• Brzonkala v. Virginia Polytechnic Institute: Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Christy Brzonkala HTML by U.S. Court of Appeals (1999)
  On March 5, 1999, the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Christy Brzonkala by a vote of 7-4 and ruled the Violence Against Women Act's Civil Rights Remedy as unconstitutional. [More Info]

• Civil Tort Actions Filed by Victims of Sexual Assault: Promise and Perils PDF (9 p.) HTML by Ellen Bublick with contributions from Jessica Mindlin, VAWnet: The National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women (September 2009)
  This Applied Research paper examines tort actions for sexual assault - law suits that seek financial compensation for wrongs that cause injury to the victim. The paper also discusses benefits and drawbacks of tort litigation for sexual assault survivors. [More Info]

• Message to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops PDF (4 p.) by Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (2002)
  This eight-point plan to address clergy sexual abuse was presented to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops by ICASA in 2002. [More Info]

• Report of the Grand Jury PDF (424 p.) by Philadelphia District Attorney Office (2005)
  This is a report of the three year grand jury investigation of the clergy sexual abuse scandal in the Philadelphia archdiocese. [More Info]

• Report to the Attorney General on Delays in Forensic DNA Analysis PDF (20 p.) by National Institute of Justice (March 2003)
  This is the report from the task force assembled to assess the delays in existing DNA analysis and develop recommendations for eliminating those delays. [More Info]

• What is DNA? PDF (1 p.) by Texas Association Against Sexual Assault
  This fact sheet provides a very brief overview of DNA - what it is and where it can be found at a crime scene. [More Info]

• Understanding DNA Evidence: A Guide for Victim Service Providers PDF (12 p.) TXT (22 p.) by National Commission on the Future of DNA Evidence, the National Institute of Justice and the Office
  This brief guide provides victim service providers, educators, advocates, and practitioners with an understanding on the importance of DNA evidence. [More Info]

• 'Watch Your Drink' Messages and Drink Testing Devices PDF (2 p.) by Florida Council Against Sexual Violence (Summer 2004)
  Addresses the rising popularity of two prevention strategies targeted at potential victims of drug-facilitated sexual battery and argues that prevention projects and funding should focused on broader messages that address root causes. [P/S] [More Info]

• Poverty and Sexual Violence: Building Prevention and Intervention Responses PDF (110 p.) by Donna Greco and Sarah Dawgert, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (2007)
  There is a complex and often reciprocal relationship between poverty and sexual violence. This guide is intended to support rape crisis centers in their economic advocacy efforts at all levels of the organization. [More Info]

• Not an Indian Tradition: The Sexual Colonization of Native Peoples PDF (16 p.) by Andrea Smith (Spring 2003)
  This paper analyzes the connections between sexual violence and colonialism in the lives and histories of Native peoples and argues that colonialism is itself structured by the logic of sexual violence. [More Info]

• Public Law 280: Issues and Concerns for Victims of Crime in Indian Country HTM (11 p.) by Ada Pecos Melton and Jerry Gardner (2004)
  This resource provides information on Public Law 280, a substantial transfer of jurisdiction from the federal government to the states in Indian Country, and its impact on victims of crime. [More Info]

• Children's Advocacy Centers in Indian Country PDF (16 p.) by The Center on Child Abuse and Neglect (March 2000)
  This booklet illustrates the important role of Children's Advocacy Centers in Indian country in dealing with child abuse cases. [More Info]

• Sovereignty of the Soul: Exploring the Intersection of Rape Law Reform and Federal Indian Law PDF (12 p.) by Sarah Deer (2005)
  This article focuses on the legal challenge of addressing sexual violence in the tribal justice system. The author discusses statistical information, the historical context and the challenges facing the tribal governments in addressing the problem. [More Info]

• Spousal Rape Laws PDF (4 p.) by National Center for Victims of Crime (2000)
  This report examines current state spousal rape laws and reporting barriers for spousal rape victims. [More Info]

• OVC Bulletin: Privacy of Victims' Counseling Communications PDF (8 p.) HTML (8 p.) by National Center for Victims of Crime (November 2002)
  This bulletin discusses the importance of legally protecting private communications between victims of crime and their counselors. [More Info]

• Confidentiality and Mandatory Reporting: A Clergy Dilemma? PDF (5 p.) by Rev. Marie M. Fortune (Fall 1985)
  This paper examines the complex issues surrounding mandatory reporting requirements and the historical confidentiality privilege maintained by clergy. [More Info]

• Blind Reporting of Sexual Violence PDF (6 p.) by Sabrina Garcia and Margaret Henderson, FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin (June 1999)
  This article discusses a process that allows victims of sexual violence to file anonymous or confidential reports (being labeled as blind reports). [More Info]

• From Chastity Requirement to Sexuality License: Sexual Consent and a New Rape Shield Law PDF (146 p.) by Professor Michelle J. Anderson (2002)
  This document examines historical and contemporary rape shield laws and concludes with an original model rape shield law designed to meet existing gaps. [More Info]

• Understanding Rape Shield Laws PDF (10 p.) by Professor Michelle J. Anderson (September 2004)
  This report outlines the history of rape shield laws and delineates the types of shield laws in all 50 states. The author analyzes the serious gaps in these laws and critiques the continued admission of evidence of complainants' sexual history. [More Info]

• Strengthening Sexual Assault Victims' Right to Privacy HTML (15 p.) by Office for Victims of Crime (2009)
  This document addresses common challenges, provides core concepts, and offers practical tips for improving confidential services to victims of sexual violence. [More Info]

• Guidelines for Record Keeping for Sexual Assault Advocates PDF (3 p.) by Sexual Violence Justice Institute, Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault (February 2006)
  This fact sheet offers some guidelines about client record keeping for programs to consider. [More Info]

• Confidentiality: An Advocate’s Guide, Record-Keeping and Information-Sharing PDF (12 p.) by Battered Women's Legal Advocacy Project
  Policies and practice guidelines should be adopted by programs to establish clear record-keeping practices, set parameters for retention and destruction of client case files. This resource offers useful practice tips and guidelines. [More Info]

• Global Perspectives on Sexual Violence: Findings from the World Report on Violence and Health PDF (20 p.) by National Sexual Violence Resource Center (2004)
  This report seeks to offer a glimpse of the "serious global public health problem" that is sexual violence as well as promising practices and opportunities for those working to end sexual violence. [More Info]

• Payment for Forensic Exams PDF (6 p.) HTML (6 p.) by National Center for Victims of Crime (2001)
  This report examines states' recent payment strategies for sexual assault forensic exams and the strategies' strengths and shortcomings. [More Info]

• The Effectiveness of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Programs PDF (9 p.) HTML by Rebecca Campbell, VAWnet: The National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women (November 2004)
  This paper describes SANE programs in the US, and presents current research on their effectiveness in 3 areas: providing care in an empowering setting, improving the quality of forensic evidence collection, and increasing prosecution rates. [More Info]

• HIPAA Privacy call for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Advocates PDF (2 p.) by Rodney Hudson, Diane Moyer, Nancy Durborow, Debbie Lee, Family Violence Prevention Fund, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, Pennsylvania Coalition Against (September 2004)
  This call was held to assist domestic violence and sexual assault providers to better understand the provisions under HIPAA and their application to advocacy programs that have relationships with health care facilities. [More Info]

• Population Reports: Ending Violence Against Women HTML (44 p.) PDF (44 p.) by Population Information Program, Center for Communication Programs, In collaboration with Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE) (December 1999)
  This publication discusses gender-based violence from a feminist-based, ecological perspective. It examines the dynamics of abuse, cultural context, impact on women's health & how health care providers can contribute to social change efforts. [More Info]

• No Easy Answers: Sex Offender Laws in the US PDF (146 p.) by Human Rights Watch (September 2007)
  This report takes an in-depth look into the current sex offender laws in the US and offers a critique of such laws as well as recommendations and model programs. [More Info]

• Facts about Adult Sex Offenders HTML (6 p.) by The Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (2001)
  This fact sheet answers some of the following questions: Can sex offenders be cured? Does sex offender treatment really work? [More Info]

Sentencing

• OVC Bulletin: Victim Input Into Plea Agreements PDF (7 p.) HTML (7 p.) by National Center for Victims of Crime (November 2002)
  This bulletin examines recent victims' rights legislation which has allowed victims of crime to take a more active role in plea negotiations and related proceedings. [More Info]

Registration

• Summary of State Sex Offender Registries Dissemination and Procedures PDF (8 p.) by Devon Adams, U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics (1999)
  This report describes the range of state procedures for disseminating sex offender registry information to criminal justice agencies, schools and other youth-serving organizations, and the general public. [More Info]

• H. R. 2137 (1996)
  An Act To amend the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 (Megan's Law) [More Info]

• Final Guidelines for Megan's Law and the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act HTML by United States Department of Justice (1997)
  The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) published Final Guidelines to implement Megan's Law and the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act. [More Info]

• Sex Offender Registries as a Tool for Public Safety: Views from Registered Offenders HTML (9 p.) PDF (8 p.) by Richard Tewksbury, Western Criminology Review (2006)
  This research report explores the use and effectiveness of sex offender registries. Data for this research was collected from a sample of registered sex offenders. [More Info]

• Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act: A Sketch PDF (6 p.) by Charles Doyle, Congressional Research Service (2007)
  This resource provides a brief summary of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act, P.L. 109-248 (H.R. 4472) which reformulates the federal standards for sex offender registration in state, territorial and tribal sexual offender registries. [More Info]

• National Guidelines for Sex Offender Registration and Notification PDF (101 p.) by U.S. Department of Justice (June 2008)
  These guidelines provide a new comprehensive set of minimum standards for sex offender registration and notification in the United States. [More Info]

• Sex Offender Registration and Notification: Limited Effects in New Jersey PDF (4 p.) by Kristen M. Zgoba, Ph.D., and Karen Bachar, National Institute of Justice (April 2009)
  The report summarizes the findings of an independent scientific assessment of the effects of Megan’s Law in New Jersey. [More Info]

Treatment

• Reducing Sexual Abuse Through Treatment and Intervention with Abusers HTML (3 p.) by Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (1996)
  This official policy statement from the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA) addresses the role that treatment plays in the management of sex offenders. [More Info]

• Understanding Treatment for Adults and Juveniles Who Have Committed Sex Offenses PDF (16 p.) by Center for Sex Offender Management (November 2006)
  The purpose of this brief is to provide a broad overview of current research, professional literature, and practice trends relative to treatment for sexually abusive individuals. [More Info]

Management

• The Effective Legal Management of Juvenile Sex Offenders HTML (4 p.) by Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (2000)
  This is an official policy statement from ATSA. They see a difference between juvenile and adult sex offenders and offer 5 recommendations for addressing the legal management of these juveniles. [More Info]

• Reshape Issue 16: Sex Offender Management PDF (21 p.) by Sexual Assault Coalition Resource Sharing Project (Fall 2005)
  The Fall 2005 newsletter of the Sexual Assault Coalition Resource Sharing Project deals with the topic of sex offender management and provides important information to coalitions on how to respond to this issue. [More Info]

• Community Management of Convicted Sex Offenders: Registration. Electronic Monitoring, Civil Commitment, Mandatory Minimums, and Residency Restrictions DOC (4 p.) PDF (4 p.) by National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (2006)
  This is a policy statement on the management of sex offenders that was adopted by the Board of Directors of the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence. [More Info]

• Managing Sex Offenders: Citizens Supporting Law Enforcement PDF (52 p.) by Bureau of Justice Assistance
  This document explores current legislation related to tracking and monitoring sex offenders, identifies the challenges faced by law enforcement, and examines the role that citizens play in assisting law enforcement in their efforts. [More Info]

• Connections: Advocacy & Sex Offender Management PDF (32 p.) by The Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs (Summer 2008)
  In this issue of Connections, the focus is on sex offender management, which moves advocacy beyond the time of sentencing to the point where an offender is returning to the community. [More Info]

• Facts About Sexual Harassment HTML (1 p.) by U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (2002)
  This fact sheet provides information from Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that outlines sexual harassment as discrimination. [More Info]

• Sexual Harassment: Trend of Turning Point, A self-paced sexual harassment prevention course PDF (97 p.) by Riley Harvill, Fire Protection Publications, Oklahoma State University (April 2006)
  The method of this online workbook is to help users analyze actual workplace scenarios, put themselves in the role of both victim and harasser, and covertly practice what they would do if a similar incident occurred. [More Info]

• What is Workplace Sexual Violence? PDF (2 p.) by National Sexual Violence Resource Center (2009)
  This two page fact sheet talks about sexual violence at work and what that might look like. [More Info]

• Employer Checklist: Prevent Sexual Violence in Your Workplace PDF (2 p.) by National Sexual Violence Resource Center (2009)
  This list of items was designed to assist employers in crafting a strong sexual harassment workplace policy. [More Info]

• Prevention of Sexual Harassment HTM (6 p.) by Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights
  This document includes measures that employers can take in order to create a harassment-free workplace and discusses how employees must also assume an active role in the prevention of sexual harassment. [More Info]

• Sexual Harassment in the Workplace PDF (8 p.) by Northwest Women’s Law Center (2006)
  This guide provides information on the legal aspect of sexual harassment in the workplace. [More Info]

• Legal Resource Kit: Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment in Employment PDF (44 p.) by Legal Momentum (2005)
  The materials contained in kit provide general information on the Law on Sex Discrimination and Sexual Harassment. [More Info]

• Advocate Newsletter: Employment Rights For Sexual Assault Victims PDF (10 p.) by Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs (2005)
  In this issue of the Advocate Newsletter, the focus is on the legal issues a sexual assault victim may encounter in her employment setting. [More Info]

• Sexual Harassment: A Guide About sexual harassment in the workplace PDF (8 p.) by New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault
  This guide reviews the law and sexual harassment and the actions victims may take. It also discusses the effects of sexual harassment and employer responsibilities. [More Info]

• Federal Campus Crime Reporting 101 PDF (8 p.) by California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (September 2001)
  This is an information packet highlighting history, providing definitions of common terms and answering frequently asked questions regarding the U.S. "Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act" (the Clery Act). [More Info]

• The California Campus Blueprint to Address Sexual Assault PDF (53 p.) by California Coalition Against Sexual Assault & California Campus Sexual Assault Task Force (April 2004)
  This report presents legislative recommendations to the Governor of CA and the Legislature regarding changes that should be made in existing laws and enactment of new laws to enhance the SA-related polices and practices of colleges and universities. [More Info]

• Recommended Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexual Assault Response and Prevention on Campus PDF (11 p.) by Oregon Attorney General’s Sexual Assault Task Force (January 2006)
  This resource provides a list of guidelines for campuses to use when developing sexual assault policies and protocols. [More Info]

• Task Force Report on Care for Victims of Sexual Assault PDF (114 p.) by United States Department of Defense (April 2004)
  This is a summary of the findings from a 90 day review of sexual assault policies and programs among the military services and the Department of Defense, and the recommendations for change to better serve victims and increase prevention efforts. [More Info]

• Confidentiality Policy for Victims of Sexual Assault PDF (5 p.) by Department of Defense (2005)
  This memorandum establishes DoD guidelines for confidential, restricted reporting by victims of sexual assault in the military. [More Info]

• Report of the Defense Task Force on Sexual Harassment & Violence at the Military Service Academies PDF (96 p.) by United States Department of Defense (June 2005)
  This report provides an assessment of the US Military Academy & US Naval Academy’s ability to address sexual harassment and assault within their institutions. It provides task force recommendations on how academies can better address these issues. [More Info]

• Deterring Staff Sexual Abuse of Federal Inmates PDF (27 p.) by Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (April 2005)
  This report examines the prevalence of the sexual abuse of inmates by correctional staff and also analyzes the laws that exist to deter this type of abuse. [More Info]

• PREA Update: Stop Prisoner Rape's Report on the Prison Rape Elimination Act PDF (7 p.) by Stop Prisoner Rape (May 2005)
  This report offers a glimpse into this federal law signed in 2003, and its impact thus far. The report also addresses areas of concern and gives recommendations for successful implementation of PREA. [More Info]

• Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 PDF (19 p.) (2003)
  The law “provides for the analysis of the incidents and effects of prison rape in Federal, State, and local institutions and provides information, resources, recommendations, and funding to protect individuals from prison rape." [More Info]

• No Refuge Here: A First Look at Sexual Abuse in Immigration Detention PDF (34 p.) by Stop Prisoner Rape (2004)
  This report provides information about the sexual abuse of immigrants while in detention centers in the United States. [More Info]

• Meeting the Needs of Prison Rape Victims PDF (24 p.) by Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (2006)
  This guide is intended to support rape crisis counselors and advocates in providing services to victims of prison rape. [More Info]

• Sexual Victimization In Juvenile Facilities Reported By Youth, 2008-09 PDF (49 p.) by Allen J. Beck, Paul Guerino, and Paige M. Harrison, Bureau of Justice Statistics (January 2009)
  Findings indicate that about 12% of youth in state juvenile facilities reported experiencing one or more incidents of sexual victimization by another youth or facility staff in the past 12 months or since admission, if less than 12 months. [More Info]

• The Facts About Child Sex Tourism PDF (2 p.) by U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs (April 2005)
  This fact sheet includes a definition of child sex tourism, both the global and U.S. response, and suggestions for what governments, citizens and business can do to combat child sex tourism. [More Info]

• Trafficking of Women: U.S. Policy and International Law PDF (4 p.) by Women's Environment & Development Organization for Women Engaging Globally (2005)
  This fact sheet provides a brief overview of trafficking, the definition under U.S. and international law, and certain protections for trafficked women. [More Info]

• The Migration-Trafficking Nexus: Combating trafficking through the protection of migrants' human rights PDF (28 p.) by Mike Kaye, Anti-Slavery International (November 2003)
  This report examines the issue of trafficking within a broader migration framework and proposes policies which would be effective in reducing trafficking and preventing the human and labor rights violations to which migrant workers are often subjected. [More Info]

• Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 Fact Sheet PDF (2 p.) by Department of Health and Human Services
  This fact sheet provides an overview of the TVPA, the goals of the TVPA to prevent human trafficking, protect victims and prosecute traffickers, and a brief overview of the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2003. [More Info]

• Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 PDF (86 p.) (2000)
  The TVPA of 2000 is a public law aimed at combating trafficking in persons, especially in the sex trade, slavery, involuntary servitude, and reauthorizes certain Federal programs to prevent violence against women. Violence Against Women Act 2000 included. [More Info]

• The 2006 Trafficking in Persons Report PDF (295 p.) by U.S. Department of State (June 2006)
  This report highlights the efforts of the international community to combat human trafficking and encourages foreign governments to take action against all forms of human trafficking. [More Info]