THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM MUST DEAL WITH MANY PROBLEMS WHEN HANDLING A CASE OF RAPE: LOW REPORTING RATES, VICTIM RELUCTANCE TO TESTIFY, AND TECHNICALITIES IN RAPE LAWS. NATIONAL STATISTICS ILLUSTRATE THIS PROBLEM - IT IS ESTIMATED THAT FOR EACH 700 ACTUAL RAPES, ONLY 200 ARE REPORTED; OF THESE, ONLY 100 ARE CLEARED BY ARREST AND ONLY 14 INDIVIDUALS ARE FOUND GUILITY. IN NOVEMBER 1973, THE DETROIT POLICE DEPARTMENT UNDERTOOK A CONCERTED ATTACK ON THE CRIME OF RAPE. A TASK FORCE WAS FORMED, INCLUDING THE DEPARTMENT'S WOMEN AND CHILDREN SERVICES SECTION, MEMBERS OF THE TACTICAL MOBILE UNIT, UNDERCOVER OFFICERS, PROSECUTORS, AND CONSULTANTS. A WIDE VARIETY OF CHANGES IN POLICE PROCEDURES WERE IMPLEMENTED, INCLUDING THE IMMEDIATE DISPATCHING OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE TEAMS TO THE RAPE SCENE, SPECIAL EVIDENCE COLLECTION TECHNIQUES, USE OF TRACKING DOGS AT THE SCENE OF THE CRIME, COORDINATION OF WARRANT REQUESTS WITH THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE AND MORE SENSITIVE COMMUNICATION METHODS WITH RAPE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES. PRELIMINARY DATA HAVE SHOWN MORE CASES 'CLOSED THROUGH ARREST' AND A DECREASE IN RAPE CASES DURING THE PROGRAM. IT IS ALSO NOTED THAT THE RAPE REDUCTION EFFORT WAS ONE OF MANY FACTORS WHICH EVENTUALLY LED TO A FUNDAMENTAL REORGANIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT.