Implementing SB 1312: Sexual Battery Victims Rights & Services

Governor Crist signed SB 1312, FCASV's top priority bill during the 2009 session, into law during a signing ceremony on June 16th. This legislation requires each law enforcement officer who investigates an alleged sexual battery incident to assist the victim in obtaining medical treatment if medical treatment is necessary, a forensic examination, and crisis-intervention services from a certified rape crisis center. The legislation also requires law enforcement officers to immediately notify victims of the legal rights and remedies available by providing them with a brochure written and produced by the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence in conjunction with FDLE that includes information about local rape crisis services. This legislation takes effect on July 1, 2009.

The brochure associated with SB 1312 is now available through the FCASV and FDLE websites and is being emailed to rape crisis centers and law enforcement agencies across the state. Multiple copies of the brochure with community-specific information are being mailed to each rape crisis center. Rape crisis centers will be delivering these copies with information about their services to each law enforcement agency in their catchment area.

The sexual battery victims rights and services brochure is now available in Spanish.