Committee receives update on county Sexual Assault Response Team; members press for outreach and data

The Children’s, Seniors and Family Committee on June 25 received a report from county sexual-assault response partners describing a finalized countywide protocol, outreach plans and forensic workload trends.

Presenters from Santa Clara Valley Healthcare, who identified themselves as Anna and Gigi, said the county updated the sexual-assault protocol last fall — the first comprehensive revision since 2019 — to align practices among hospitals, law enforcement and victim services. "The updated protocol brings all of our alignment and makes it clear to all of the agencies," one presenter said, describing countywide expectations for the response team.

Supervisors pressed presenters for details on survivor-facing materials and data. Committee members asked whether the "reference card" that explains survivors’ options — including the option to have children held but not tested — had been updated. Presenters said San Jose Police Department manages the card, it was revised earlier in the week with updated contact numbers and service locations, and the district attorney’s website will host the updated version when available.

Members also asked whether recent spikes in forensic exams were tied to major events. Presenters said May and June were unusually busy for forensic exams but that it is too early to attribute the increase to sporting events; they added that many survivors access services without opting for forensic exams.

The committee heard details about a county suspect-exam program restarted about a year ago. Presenters said suspect exams are rare because of the narrow time window; "it's about 15 to 20 per year," one presenter said, and the suspect-exam window for useful evidence is closer to 72 hours. The program standardized evidence collection and works with detectives to collect photographs and swabs when appropriate.

Committee members urged targeted outreach in South County and to college communities, and asked for county partners to report back with any lessons that could translate into updated procedures. Presenters recommended using the law-enforcement subcommittee and fall committee meetings focused on data to receive agency-level reports and to share best practices across jurisdictions.

A motion to receive the Sexual Assault Response Team report was made and seconded; the committee voted and approved the motion.

The committee also heard a brief public comment from Ben Z., who alleged failures in child-welfare and prosecution responses in his own family’s case. County staff responded to the comment period by noting legal restrictions on discussing active investigations and reiterated the county hotline for reporting suspected child abuse: (833) 722-5437. The committee did not take further public action on the allegations during the meeting.

The committee is expected to invite further agency-specific data and outreach plans to future meetings, including fall reports on data trends and updated outreach materials.