How US Agencies Are Implementing Sexual Assault Response Best Practices How US Agencies Are Implementing Sexual Assault Response Best Practices

How US Agencies Are Implementing Sexual Assault Response Best Practices

Posted on July 22, 2025 by Veronica Valencia Gonzalez

This entry is part 1 of 7 in the series September 2025

In my recent article “Variability in the Implementation of Best Practices for Sexual Assault Case Handling Across US Law Enforcement and Prosecutorial Agencies,” published in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, I investigate how recommended best practices have been adopted and implemented in agencies that respond to sexual assault across the United States.

Sexual assault is a pressing public health concern. Survivors are at increased risk of long-term physical and mental health conditions, and national guidelines recommend trauma-informed interviewing, timely forensic evidence collection, and coordinated interagency responses to reduce harm. However, these recommendations are not consistently implemented across all jurisdictions.

My study used a mixed-methods approach, combining survey responses from 362 agencies (223 law enforcement, 139 prosecutorial) and 25 qualitative interviews. The findings highlight considerable variability in how agencies apply best practices, especially when comparing larger metropolitan agencies to smaller and rural ones.

Findings

How US Agencies Are Implementing Sexual Assault Response Best Practices: A National Study

Read the Article in JPHMP

Most agencies reported using victim advocates—96% of law enforcement and 98% of prosecutors. However, qualitative interviews showed differences in how those advocates were deployed. Some agencies ensured early, proactive engagement; others relied on victims to request support, resulting in delays or no support at all.

We also found that specialized units, which often ensure more consistent and trauma-informed practices, were only present in 48% of law enforcement agencies and 69% of prosecutorial offices. Urban agencies were more likely to have these units, while rural agencies often cited limited staffing and funding as barriers.

In terms of interagency coordination, 90% of law enforcement agencies reported regular communication with prosecutors, compared to only 79% of prosecutor offices. Case review practices varied as well—while reported in 83% of law enforcement agencies, only 46% of prosecutor offices reported conducting regular reviews, and some relied solely on one individual to review cases without a multidisciplinary team.

Why This Matters for Public Health

These variations in implementation matter because they affect how survivors access care. Survivors in jurisdictions with fewer resources or inconsistent practices may experience delayed support, limited access to prophylactic health care (such as STI treatment), and a greater risk of disengaging from both justice and health systems. These gaps contribute to public health disparities.

Importantly, many agencies reported awareness of best practices but lacked the funding or capacity to fully adopt them. One interviewee explained, “We don’t have the budget to maintain specialized training or hire full-time victim advocates, so we have to rely on external resources when available.”

What Can Be Done

There are steps that can be taken to improve consistency and equity in sexual assault response:

Standardized protocols for victim advocate involvement can ensure timely, proactive support.
Targeted investments in training and specialized units, especially in rural or under-resourced areas, can improve practice alignment.
Interagency review and communication models should be supported across jurisdictions.
Public health–justice partnerships can help implement trauma-informed care and reduce structural disparities.

Conclusion

The article, “Variability in the Implementation of Best Practices for Sexual Assault Case Handling Across US Law Enforcement and Prosecutorial Agencies,” highlights how these practices are being adopted and implemented across the country—and where support is still needed. A more consistent, coordinated approach will help ensure that survivors receive the care and justice they deserve, regardless of where they live.

About the Author

Veronica Valencia Gonzalez: Veronica Valencia Gonzalez, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of South Carolina. Her research examines gender-based violence, public health–legal system intersections, and disparities in survivor-centered care across urban and rural communities in the U.S. and Latin America.