Daphne II - Ve.R.S.O project: a new protocol for the management of sexual assault victims

Daphne II - Ve.R.S.O project: a new protocol for the management of sexual assault victims. Sexual assault is a worldwide problem that has not yet been sufficiently acknowledged, as confirmed by analyses and studies carried out at different levels and in different contexts. Internationally, different approaches are taken to the collection of forensic evi- dence and to the clinical and psychological treatment of alleged victims. Italian law n.96, 1996, foreseeing norms regarding rape and abuse, finally gave signifi- cant relevance to sex crimes. In 2004, the European Commission for Justice Internal Affairs and Social Politics promoted the Daphne II pro- gram to support victims of rape and abuse, and the Ve.R.S.O. project - Network integration was incorporat- ed into our daily routine, and has been activated at the Policlinico “P. Giaccone” University Hospital of Palermo. Herein, we discuss the six years experience of a multidisciplinary team regarding application of the Ve.R.S.O. project protocol in the referral centre of Palermo, using the new guidelines for standard man- agement of victims. Our results start to give a per- spective on the frequency and type of population reaching our centre.