Sexual Assault Unit Sexual Assault: It is a crime for anyone to rape or sexually assault you, whether that person is a stranger, boyfriend, a lover, a husband, a domestic partner or an acquaintance. You deserve help. If someone has sexually assaulted you and you want to report the crime, call 911. The evidence of the crime is on your body, your clothing, and at the location of the assault. In Santa Cruz County there is a program in which a forensic nurse will examine you for physical injury and collect evidence in a sensitive manner. You have the right to have a sexual assault victim counselor present during the exam as well as a support person as long as the presence of those persons is not determined to be detrimental to the purpose of the exam. More evidence will be available if you do not shower, bathe, or wash your clothing or bedding, or clean the location of assault. Law enforcement will collect items and materials that may contain evidence for a possible criminal prosecution. You can call a crisis line to get more information and support whether or not you choose to report. The Sexual Assault Unit: The Sheriff's Office is committed to the vigorous investigation of sexual assault complaints and enforcement of the law. The Sexual Assault Unit is currently comprised of one detective sergeant and two detectives. The unit has investigative responsibility for complaints of sexual assault committed upon adults and children, complaints of child physical abuse, and the registration of convicted sex offenders. In 2007, the sexual assault unit investigated over 154 sexual assault cases involving both children and adults and 72 child abuse cases.  Sexual assaults against adults include rape, sodomy, sexual penetration, oral copulation, sexual battery and indecent exposure.  There were 59 sexual assault cases committed against adults that were investigated.  Of these, the major cases included 29 rapes, 3 oral copulation cases and 1 sodomy investigation.  Also, in 2007, The unit investigated over 95 sexual assault cases involving child victims.  Child sexual assault cases include child molest, child annoyance, child pornography, unlawful intercourse and indecent exposure where the victim was a minor.  The unit investigated 72 child abuse cases. These cases include child endangerment and physical abuse.  There were 178 cases referred to Family and Children Services. These referrals include child sexual and physical abuse and those cases where a child was taken into protective custody per 300 WI.  Protective custody cases often involve children who are born with drug exposure.  The sexual assault unit made 33 arrests, requested 17 arrest warrants and executed 11 search warrants in 2007.  The sexual assault unit conducted 6 professional and/or community group presentations in 2007.  These trainings included Women's Crisis Support Advocates and allied law enforcement agencies. The unit utilizes a multi-disciplinary investigative approach working closely with the District Attorney's Office, Child Protective Services, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, Women's Crisis Support, and Victim Assistance, in an effort to treat the victim in a sensitive manner while conducting a professional investigation.

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Santa Cruz County Sheriff 701 Ocean St. Rm. 340 Santa Cruz, CA 95060 Phone: (831)471-1121 sheriff@scsheriff.com Copyright © '03