Policy Change – Rita’s Case Study

Policy Change – Rita’s Case Study

Policy Change – Rita’s Case Study

Respond to at least two colleagues by explaining the various costs you think will be associated with their suggested policy changes.

· Then, explain whether a consideration of cost when adopting a policy or program contradicts the social workers’ code of ethics.

Support your response with specific references to the resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references.

Colleague 1: Daneilia

The Case of Rita and a Possible Change to Policy

The Case of Rita discusses the time frame policy of the maximum time someone has to report a sexual assault with forensic data. While 90 days may seem like quite a bit of time to decide whether or not to file a report, it in actuality is a short period of time especially for a person dealing with a crisis (Plummer, Makris, & Brocksen, 2014). A possible change to policy that I could foresee being something to implement is the length in time, which an individual has the ability to make a sexual assault report. I do not think that an individual is ready at that fast of a pace of 90 days to make a conscious decision. Plummer, Makris, and Brocksen (2014) states how it, “…affects her or his ability to retain information and make decisions.” Due to the clouded mindset of the client, it is difficult to make clear and concise decisions. For this reason, I would attempt to implement a longer period of time for the decision making process.

ORDER NOW FOR AN ORIGINAL, PLAGIARISM-FREE, AND RESOURCEFUL PAPER

Evaluate the Success of the Policy Changes

I might evaluate the success of the policy changes by evidence-based outcomes. So to speak it would be based on facts such as clients being satisfied with submitting reports in a clearer mindset. Also, depending the client’s demeanor has changed over time especially after having submitted the report. In addition, if the client has been successful in counseling as well (i.e. making breakthroughs, coming out of a depression, not being angry with the offender).

Colleague 2: Patricia

Policy Change and the Case of Rita

In the case of Rita who is a 22 year old Latina who was sexually assaulted by a friend of a fellow co-worker. She went to the hospital to have a sexual assault kit done and was given medication to treat any possible STDs along with emergency contraceptives. She did not feel comfortable filing a report or pressing charges because she was very traumatized and blamed herself for the incident. According to Rita’s state policy for reporting sexual assault cases to local law enforcement, she only has 90 days to make a decision. For someone who has experienced this type of trauma, that is nearly not enough time to explain the details of what happened during the assault let alone make a rational decision on weither or not to file charges against the perpetrator. A policy change that would be effective would be to eliminate the 90 day filing limit. Even with the filing limit, the sexual assault kit would not be any good so there would be no evidence and the perpetrator would have fled. Policy Change – Rita’s Case Study

Measuring Policy Change

A strength based perspective would be a good way to measure the effectiveness of the policy change. It allows the victims to decide when they are ready to report the assault or if they even want to report it. If they want to report it, then they can have to sexual assault kit done and press charges right after the incident without feeling pressured and they can give a detailed description of the incident to law enforcement.