title: A statewide evaluation of services provided to rape survivors.
abstract: This article presents the descriptive results of a statewide evaluation of hotline, advocacy, and counseling services provided to sexual assault victims in Illinois. Collaborative efforts of a multidisciplinary research team and sexual assault service providers resulted in victim-sensitive evaluation measures and data that reflect, for the first time, the collective impact of services on rape victims across the state of Illinois. Results of the evaluation suggest that, overall, services provided to rape victims provided support, increased information and knowledge, and helped victims to understand options and make decisions. The evaluation approach is notable for its collaborative nature and its sensitivity to rape victims during help-seeking and delivery; however, due to the high levels of distress common among rape survivors, some evaluation methods may not be appropriate for crisis intervention services such as hotline or advocacy. Implications for future evaluation research and policy are noted.
authors.affiliation: University of Illinois at Chicago, 60607-7134, USA. swasco@uic.edu
authors.forename: Sharon M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Wasco
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: April
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Gillian E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: Susan L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Staggs
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Schewe
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Riger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D015277:Hotlines; D006801:Humans; D007087:Illinois; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011902:Rape / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome