NORFOLK DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE

Norfolk District Attorney's Office Sexual Assault Unit
The Norfolk District Attorney's Office has provided services to adult and child victims of sexual assault since 1977 when the Sexual Assault Unit was established in conjunction with the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office.

The Sexual Assault Unit has expanded to provide investigation, prosecution and victim assistance in cases of Child Abuse and Elder Abuse. The Sexual Assault Unit consists of Assistant District Attorneys, Victim/Witness Advocates and State Troopers who are specially trained to address inter-personal violence.

The goal of the Sexual Assault Unit is to provide multi-faceted services to victims of crime during a difficult, confusing and sometimes overwhelming experience. When a crime is reported, local police will work with the District Attorney's Office to investigate allegations of sexual assault, utilizing the State Police as needed.

The Assistant District Attorneys assigned to the Unit will prosecute sexual assault cases in the District Courts in Brookline, Dedham, Quincy, Stoughton and Wrentham, as well as the Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham. The Assistant District Attorneys work with Victim/Witness Advocates to provide consistent contact with victims through the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases.

The Advocate's role is to keep victims informed of the status of the case, answer any questions regarding the court process, prepare victims and witnesses for Trial, and accompany families to court during a Trial. Another vital role of the Advocate is to provide referrals for counseling, medical care, Victim Compensation and other available services.

The Sexual Assault Unit has a 24-hour hotline that is answered by the staff of the Sexual Assault Unit during the hours of 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM for reports of sexual assault in Norfolk County. After 4:30 PM, the hotline is answered by the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office who will page the on-call staff member. The hotline is available to provide assistance to local police during sexual assault investigations and to provide referrals and information to victims of inter-personal violence in Norfolk County.

Child Sexual Assault
The Sexual Abuse Intervention Network (S.A.I.N) of the Norfolk District Attorney's Office handles cases involving child victims of sexual assault and rape. For more information on child sexual abuse and S.A.I.N., please go to the Child Abuse and Neglect page. Additional information regarding child sexual assault and S.A.I.N. is available in District Attorney Keating's S.A.I.N. brochure. To request a copy of this brochure, go to Publications. Online viewing will be available shortly.

Help If You or Someone You Know Has Been Raped or Sexually AssaultedFree, confidential crisis services are available 24 hours a day.

Rape Crisis Centers
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center	617-492-7273
New Hope	508-226-4015
Projecto Yamanos Spanish Language Hotline	1-800-223-5001
Valley Rape Crisis Center	1-800-511-5070
Womansplace Crisis Center	1-800-223-5001

Many area hospitals have emergency room staff that have been specially trained in medical responses to rape and sexual assault.

Statistics on Massachusetts Sexual Assaults
Reports to Massachusetts Rape Crisis Centers Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) collects data on sexual assaults reported to the sixteen rape crisis centers across the Commonwealth. For demographic information on Survivors who utilized Rape Crisis Centers and their perpetrators, go to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Website:
http://www.state.ma.us/dph/sapss/TenYrRPT/oversa.htm

Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety Statistical Analysis Center (SAC)
The Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety Statistical Analysis Center (SAC) also maintains data on reported rapes and sexual assaults in Massachusetts. For information on sexual assault and rape statistics available through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety go to their Website:
http://www.state.ma.us/ccj/

A Brief Overview of Massachusetts Sexual Assault and Rape Law
Massachusetts law defines rape as "sexual intercourse or unnatural sexual intercourse." Natural and unnatural intercourse includes vaginal, anal or oral sex. There are several categories of rape under Massachusetts Law. Which crime of rape has been committed (and the punishment that can or must be imposed) depends on the age of the victim and the manner in which the crime was committed.