Civil Legal and Non-Legal Needs of Rural Sexual Assault Survivors

• In Event: Implications for Victim Service Providers

Abstract

After a sexual assault (SA), survivors experience a variety of negative consequences such as physical injury and post-traumatic stress disorder; they are also are faced with a host of legal and non-legal needs. Idaho Legal Aid Services (ILAS) contracted with Boise State University to examine needs experienced by rural SA survivors in Idaho.

Semi-structured interviews with service providers across the state illustrated that rural SA survivors have a variety of needs, including civil legal needs. Legal assistance was reported as an important and frequently needed service, including assistance with referrals, civil protection orders, custody or divorce, eviction, and immigration issues. Non-legal needs were also reported frequently.

However, while the demand for legal assistance appears to be high, available resources are limited. Lack of capacity for providing civil legal services was the most frequently mentioned barrier by interview respondents. Identified opportunities to improve include increasing ILAS capacity, quicker rapid response time, improved communication, increased presence in rural areas, stronger inter-agency relationships, increased community education and awareness, and more bilingual services.

Results suggest that civil legal aid is a promising option for improving survivor experiences post-assault, but that substantial barriers to access exist for survivors, particularly those in rural areas.

Authors

• Jacqueline G Lee, Boise State University

• Laura King, Boise State University

• Lane Kirkland Gillespie, Boise State University

• Lantz McGinnis-Brown, Boise State University

• Lisa Growette Bostaph, Boise State University