LESSON 4/TASK 1
LIAISON/COORDINATION
One of the more effective ways of providing aid and assistance to the victim is for the military police to
have coordinated with local support agencies ahead of time. Local policy and SOPs will determine
notification requirements in case of rape. There are several agencies that can provide support and
assistance to the rape victim. Both military and civilian agencies may be available. Who they are, and
the amount of assistance they can provide will vary from installation to installation. Installations located
near major metropolitan areas will usually have access to a wider variety of support agencies. It is
important that the PMO establish lines of communication with these agencies. An excellent source of
information, guidance, and assistance is the Military Family Resource Center.
Army Community Service (ACS)
One of the agencies available on most installations is the ACS. The ACS may have a crisis
intervention team. In some cases there may be a rape crisis center, or team. If the military does not
have a rape crisis intervention center, there may be one in the civilian community. A family advocacy
case management team (FACMT) may also be available. Notification procedures should be
established and coordinated between the military police and the agency involved. The level of initial
intervention, its timing, and its location must be determined ahead of time. This may vary from
installation to installation, depending on ACS and/or FACMT capabilities. The same is true in
determining the entry point into the situation. Other support agencies, both on and off post, will require
similar coordination.
Hospital/Medical Facility
It is of critical importance that procedures be coordinated ahead of time with the medical facility. As
with all support agencies, continuing liaison is critical. Both personnel involved and the capabilities of
the facility change. It is important that both the military police and the medical personnel have a close
working relationship.
A point of contact should be established at the medical facility. This greatly aids in continuing liaison,
and the development of mutual trust and understanding between medical personnel and the military
police. It also greatly aids in a crisis situation should any difficulties arise. Mutual notification
procedures should be established. It is
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