“Victim,” “Client,” “Patient”

“Victim” is the term generally used within the criminal justice system to refer to an individual who has reported that a crime has been perpetrated against them. 

“Client” is the term many victim advocates use to refer to the victims they assist due to the advocate’s role as a service provider for a rape crisis center or a domestic violence agency.

In this training the terms “victim,” and “client” are used interchangeably to refer to those navigating the criminal justice system, and/or obtaining advocacy services. This is not intended to invalidate other terms used to refer to individuals who have been sexually assaulted, such as “survivor.”

“Patient” is the term that SANEs, as well as the National Protocol for Medical Forensic Sexual Assault Examinations (2d ed. 2013) that guides examinations, use to refer to those seeking care.

“Rape,” “Sexual Assault,” “Sexual Battery”

The victim’s account of a sexual assault might not employ the terms “rape” or “sexual assault.” The statutes in your jurisdiction may not use either term in the laws codifying the conduct perpetrated. For example, there are jurisdictions that use the term “sexual battery.” This training utilizes the terms “rape” and “sexual assault” interchangeably.

Because victims themselves may use colloquial or slang terms to describe the assault or body parts, victim advocates should be familiar and comfortable with that type of terminology and be able to mirror the victim’s language when discussing the sexual assault with the victim.  This will help with rapport-building and also ensure that advocates are not influencing a victim’s narrative of their sexual assault.

“Medical Forensic Sexual Assault Examination,” “Rape Kit”

“Rape Kit” is a widely used colloquial phrase that references the medical forensic sexual assault examination and the evidence collected during the examination. This training uses the full title or the word “examination” to reflect the entire process and its findings.