15.2-1627.4 - Coordination of multidisciplinary response to sexual assault. - Virginia Statutes

§ 15.2-1627.4. Coordination of multidisciplinary response to sexual assault.

The attorney for the Commonwealth in each political subdivision in theCommonwealth shall coordinate the establishment of a multidisciplinaryresponse to criminal sexual assault as set forth in Article 7 (§ 18.2-61 etseq.) of Chapter 4 of Title 18.2, and hold a meeting, at least annually, to:(i) discuss implementation of protocols and policies for sexual assaultresponse teams consistent with those established by the Department ofCriminal Justice Services pursuant to subdivision 45 of § 9.1-102; and (ii)establish and review guidelines for the community's response, including thecollection, preservation, and secure storage of evidence from PhysicalEvidence Recovery Kit examinations consistent with § 19.2-165.1. Thefollowing persons or their designees shall be invited to participate in theannual meeting: the attorney for the Commonwealth; the sheriff; the directorof the local sexual assault crisis center providing services in thejurisdiction, if any; the chief of each police department in thejurisdiction, if any; a forensic nurse examiner or other health care providerwho performs Physical Evidence Recovery Kit examinations in the jurisdiction,if any; and the director of the victim/witness program in the jurisdiction,if any.

(2009, c. 817.)