THE FIRST STAGE OF THE POLICE PROCESS IN QUESTION IS THE COMPLETION OF A CRIME REPORT BY A SPECIALLY TRAINED MEMBER OF THE BELLEVUE (WASHINGTON) POLICE DEPARTMENT. AN INDEPTH FOLLOWUP INVESTIGATION IS THEN CONDUCTED BY A DETECTIVE FROM THE CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS DIVISION. IF NECESSARY, TRANSPORTATION FOR IMMEDIATE MEDICAL TREATMENT WILL BE PROVIDED. A HOSPITAL EXAMINATION SHOULD BE CONDUCTED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE ASSAULT, TO DETERMINE INJURY, POSSIBLE PREGNANCY, OR VENERAL DISEASE, AND TO COLLECT EVIDENCE REGARDING THE ASSAULT AND/OR THE ASSAULT SUSPECT. IN ADDITION TO MEDICAL EVIDENCE, THE CRIME SCENE WILL BE PROCESSED, AND PHOTOGRAPHS AND A COMPOSITE PICTURE OF THE SUSPECT MAY BE DRAWN UP. FOLLOWING POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION, THE SUSPECT WILL BE ARRESTED. THE SUSPECT MAY BE RELEASED WITHIN 48 HOURS OF ARREST: THE VICTIM SHOULD REPORT IMMEDIATELY TO THE POLICE ANY FURTHER CONTACT BY THE SUSPECT. PRIOR TO THE TRIAL, THE VICTIM WILL BE INTERVIEWED BY THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY, THE ARRAIGNMENT WILL TAKE PLACE, AND A PRELIMINARY HEARING MAY BE HELD, DURING WHICH WITNESSES MAY BE CALLED AND PLEA BARGAINING MAY BE INITIATED. IF THE CASE COMES TO TRIAL, WITNESSES WILL BE CALLED, AND THE PROSECUTOR WILL ATTEMPT TO PROVE THE DEFENDANT'S GUILT BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT. SENTENCING FOLLOWING A CONVICTION MAY TAKE MONTHS, AND IF THE CASE IS APPEALED, YEARS. THE ASSAULT VICTIM IS NOT REQUESTED TO TESTIFY DURING AN APPEAL. MANY VICTIMS MAY EXPERIENCE RAPE TRAUMA SYNDROME FOLLOWING THE ATTACK. IT IS USUALLY CHARACTERIZED BY THREE PHASES: (1) ACUTE REACTION -- SHOCK, DISBELIEF, ANXIETY, AND FEAR; (2) OUTWARD ADJUSTMENT -- REPRESSION OF FEELINGS OF GUILT AND ANGER AND A RETURN TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES; AND (3) INTEGRATION AND RESOLUTION. PREOCCUPATION WITH ASSAULT AND RECURRENCE OF DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY MAY OCCUR FOR WHICH PROFESSIONAL HELP SHOULD BE SOUGHT TO AID THE VICTIM IN THE FULL INTEGRATION AND RESOLUTION OF THE EXPERIENCE. SPECIAL RAPE RELIEF CENTERS ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS DEAL WITH EMOTIONAL SEQUELAE OF RAPE. SPECIALIZED SUPPORT SERVICES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR DISABLED AND CHILD VICTIMS. A FLOW CHART OF POLICE AND COURT PROCEDURES AND A TABLE OF COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH, GYNECOLOGICAL, ABORTION, AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES ARE PRESENTED. A GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND A FORM FOR LISTING PERTINENT INDIVIDUALS, PHONE NUMBERS, AND MEDICAL, LEGAL, AND COURT APPOINTMENTS ARE ALSO PROVIDED. (JAP)