Promising Practice Programs

Protocol: A coordinated approach to better respond to drug facilitated sexual assault

Agency	The Northern Territory Department of Health and Community Services
Website	www.health.nt.gov.au
Contact	Senior Program and Development Officer PO Box 40596 Casuarina Northern Territory
Start date	April 2004
End date	April 2005
Program type	Community awareness/education Service provider training Training for community groups Advocacy program
Geographical area	Urban
Target group	Women - Adult survivors
Description	The awareness raising program of drug-facilitated sexual assault in urban Darwin for a period of two years (2002-2003) has resulted in the development of a Protocol which is currently being used by the Sexual Crimes Unit of the NT Police Force, Sexual Assault Referral Centre of the Department of Health and Community Services, Australian Hotels Association NT Branch, Emergency Department of Royal Darwin Hospital, the Top End Division of General Practice, and Ruby Gaea Darwin Centre Against Rape. It is intended that this Protocol be replicated in other NT major centres following an evaluation process of the use of the Protocol in urban Darwin. This protocol applies to both recent and past cases of drug-facilitated sexual assault, however it will be most useful with victims of recent sexual assault. The Protocol was developed to: Ensure all victims of drug-facilitated sexual assault receive appropriate treatment and referrals as required; and Improve the current services provided to victims/survivors of drug-facilitated sexual assault by promoting a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the various service providers, which will result in appropriate referrals of victims/survivors. Strategies used in development: Collaboration between stakeholders mentioned above was central in the development of the Protocol. Baseline data on current practice to respond to drug-facilitated sexual assault by service providers were collected to identify barriers to current practices, identify where and how current practices can be improved, identify service providers' perceived current model, and identify service providers' best practice model. Training mechanisms to implement the best practice model (the Protocol) were developed to ensure that staff working with a drug-facilitated sexual assault victim/survivor or potential victim understand how the Protocol works. Develop performance measure for monitoring the use of Protocol by stakeholders. Undertake evaluation at the end of 12 months after implementation.
Promising practice examples	Contributes to improving systems' responses to sexual assault: Prior to the development of this Protocol, responses to sexual assault by service providers were not coordinated. The lack of understanding of the roles and responsibilities of each service provider has resulted in inappropriate referral or non-referral of cases of sexual assault. This Protocol has brought all sexual assault service providers in urban Darwin to respond in a coordinated way. Through this integrated approach, a systematic means of tackling the problem is established resulting in a thorough response to (drug-facilitated) sexual assault. Takes account of contemporary research and practice developments in the field of sexual assault. Positions diversity as key to the development, understanding and delivery of good practice models. Contributes to improving systems' responses to sexual assault and is directed at preventing sexual assault. Demonstrates a sensitivity towards the barriers faced by victim/survivors in disclosing and reporting sexual assault. Has a clearly defined conceptual framework. Includes processes of accountability and evaluation. Demonstrates a capacity for replication (i.e. other services/organisations could adapt/re-model the program for their use).
Based on existing program	No
Philosophical framework	Sexual assault, including drug-facilitated sexual assault, should be approached with an understanding of its relationship to the underlying gender inequalities and power imbalances within society. Awareness campaigns to educate the community about the issue will work better when they are supported by a well developed systems response to (drug-facilitated) sexual assault, which is the best way forward for the provision of timely and accurate information and to improve communication amongst service providers, indeed the best way forward in the prevention of sexual assault.
Research informing program	Protocol: a coordinated approach to better respond to drug facilitated sexual assault in Darwin urban. 2004, 29p, Author Northern Territory. Women's Health Strategy Unit. Darwin, NT: Women's Health Strategy Unit, Territory Health Services.
Publications	1. The Protocol: A Coordinated Approach to Better Respond to Drug-facilitated Sexual Assault in Darwin Urban. 2. Easy-to-read guides for service providers. 3. Minimum Standard Training Requirements for staff working in the hospitality industry, Emergency Department of Royal Darwin Hospital and the NT Police.
Evaluation	Internal Pre-test and Post-test The evaluation strategy will use pre and post interviews with key stakeholders in relation to the effectiveness of the approach to gauge if the coordinated approach to respond to DFSA is accepted by all key stakeholders.

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