The program, Responsibility and Equity for Sexual Transgressions Offering a Restorative Experience (RESTORE), offers a new option for sexual assault cases that reduces time between the crime and consequence and creates a process to hold offenders accountable for their acts.
National studies estimate that only 16 percent of rapes are ever reported to police. Of these, only 25-50 percent is accepted for charging by prosecutors, and only 7 percent of these trials result in prison terms. Even when assisted by an advocate, 67 percent of rape victims in Minneapolis had their cases dismissed-more than 80 percent of the time against the victim's expressed wishes. RESTORE program developers estimate the percentages are similar in Pima County.
"We are very grateful to both Police Chief Richard Miranda and Tucson Vice Mayor and Council member Fred Ronstadt for their leadership and vision," says Mary Koss, PhD, professor at the UA College of Public Health and one of the program's developers. "Their support of the RESTORE program will help us improve the community's response to sexual assault."
Bridgette Riceci, executive director of SACASA, says: "We are thrilled to participate in an innovative pilot project that can change the way in which justice is rendered in sexual assault cases."
Kathleen Mayer, deputy county attorney, supervisor of Family Violence, Sex Crimes, and Child Abuse, says: "One of the major aims of RESTORE is to reduce the time between the crime and the consequence. As a prosecutor concerned about the public's safety, I am very supportive of RESTORE's efforts in this arena."
RESTORE proposes to address:
* First-time offenders
* Date and acquaintance rape where force was minimal, including alcohol-related rape, but excluding drug-induced rape
* Non-penetration sexual offenses
* Perpetrator agrees that the sexual act occurred
* Consent by both victim and perpetrator to participate in program
Program developers hope the grant, which originates from the Local Law Enforcement Block Grant, Bureau of Justice Assistance, is the first of several to help sustain the program on a long-term basis. They are seeking funds from the Arizona Criminal Justice Commission and the Governor's Office for Prevention of Family Violence. In addition, the RESTORE team is trying to raise as much state and private funding as possible to apply for a matching grant this November.
RESTORE is a joint effort of the UA College of Public Health and SACASA. Pima County Attorney Barbara LaWall has endorsed the plan. For further information, please contact Dr. Koss, mpk@u.arizona.edu or (520) 626-9501.
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