Video trains rural providers in sexual assault evidence collection

"POUGHKEEPSIE — Caring for and collecting evidence from survivors of sexual assault takes a special mix of compassion and technical expertise.

Enter Erin Ptak of Middletown, the forensic nurse examiner program coordinator for Family Services Inc. in Dutchess County, and one of the stars of the state's new training video for evidence collection in sexual assault cases. The video is introduced by "Law & Order: SVU" star Mariska Hargitay, who founded the Joyful Heart Foundation in 2004 to support survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Dutchess, Ulster and Orange counties have Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner programs, with specially trained nurses such as Ptak.

"Because of the kind of expertise we bring to evidence collection, we don't go to court as much, because (suspects) plead out," Ptak said.
But in more rural areas, evidence-gathering falls to emergency room doctors and nurses. The video is geared toward them to explain not just how the evidence is collected but why — and what the crime lab does to process the evidence, and how prosecutors use it."
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091105/COMM/911050307/-1/NEWS



I'm a bit conflicted by "Law and Order SVU" being involved in this, since as far as I'm concerned, shows like that tend to be part of the problem. Sex--as-violence-against-women all packaged up in one hours worth of 'entertainment' At my most cynical, I call them dead chick shows. On the other hand, I had no idea Mariska Hargitay was involved in this organization
http://www.joyfulheartfoundation.org/

Combine that with THIS organization;
http://www.mencanstoprape.org/

---An organization that puts acknowledgment of responsibility in the hands of those who responsible-- and we're getting somewhere

was that I got sick of the repeated plot lines on so many shows using violence against women as entertainment. I couldn't watch that stuff.

And, miraculously, in so many of those shows it was men coming in as authoritarian macho dudes with badges that caught the rapist and made everything all better. There was no portrayal of the way law enforcement is often part of the problem, or DA's offices, and certainly no discussion ever of the sexism behind the way things are done. Long term recovery was always brushed aside, reinforcing the idea that once the guy is caught the woman should just cheer up and get over it. It's all better now!

Then, there is the constant sexism in so much television programming even without the violence.

It really did seem like social programming to create stupid sexist people.

Feminism was just being a strong enough woman to go along with the system and be one of the guys. Feminism was never portrayed as being about understanding and resisting or changing that system, or about acknowledging the power dynamics of inequalities they were representing, reinforcing, and often glorifying.

Feminists, if they were against patriarchy, were always the crazy villain, which sickeningly created the idea that the sane, rational, real feminists should be supporting patriarchy.

Let's not even get started on commercials! :grr:

Really, really horrifying.

I don't watch those shows...

sexual violence to a Viagra/Cialis/Enzyte commercial.

yeah, I see what you mean.

:scared:

the dudes in them make that crap sound like "a must have," the best thing since condoms and sliced bread.
i get that they're scripted to do so, (so they're just doing their job). but the whole thing sounds SO ridiculous. one in particular where the couple leers at each other as they "share" their experience with the drug makes me want to pull my hair out by the root, and run screaming from the room. it's just so creepy to me.

...and that is definitely part of the reason.

great article about a great (potential) improvement in a broken system.

The actress says her work on the show led her to this organization.


"Another change I've embraced is how I see myself in this world. I used to call myself the "accidental activist". No more. I have fully engaged in this mission. It is part of my path, one of the reasons I am here. You see, I don't believe in accidents; I never have. My love for Hawaii where I had my first "heart opening"; my job on SVU that exposed me for the first time to the reality of rape, domestic violence and child abuse and the deep trauma they cause; the development of my relationships with the people who now staff Joyful Heart and sit on the board: all of it was beautifully orchestrated to help us reach the survivors we need to reach, to find other hearts that need opening"

Call me cynical, again, but I find it hard to believe that the daughter of Jane Mansfield was that sheltered from some of the harsher realities of a sexist society and rape culture. (Generously allowing that the two are even separate things) However, money can buy that shelter--to a point-- and she certainly seems to give her heart to this organization.

or at least that's my guess...:shrug: (perhaps not as bright as one might presume) i really don't know what to make of this actress.

case in point--
one weekend, a network featured an "svu" marathon (no i didn't watch the entire marathon). i rarely watch, but frequently have tv on in background while i work.

anyway, during the marathon there was commentary during the breaks from some of the actors, regarding their roles, certain episodes, back story and behind the scenes stuff. i heard the actress commenting,(quote)"....well, i look cute with a gun."

:wow:

i sat aside my work. found my remote, and turned the channel. i was done.

again, not sure what to make of someone whose mother was (famously) exploited, and who simultaneously claims she signed on with an organization because of a tv show. :crazy:...looking "cute" with a gun, just sent me over the edge. :puke: