TO PROVIDE UNIFORMITY IN TREATMENT, EVIDENCE COLLECTION, AND FOLLOWUP SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIF., AN OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WAS ORGANIZED IN 1975. WITHIN THIS OFFICE, THE POSITION OF COORDINATOR OF POST-SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES AND PREVENTIVE SERVICES WAS CREATED WITH A VICTIM-ORIENTED PHILOSOPHY OF PREVENTION. THE COORDINATOR MUST MANAGE EXISTING SERVICES TO PREVENT FURTHER TRAUMATIZATION WHEN A VICTIM REPORTS THE CRIME AND ALSO MUST ASSIST IN DEVELOPING INDIVIDUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION TECHNIQUES. THE PROTOCOL OF THE OFFICE ESTABLISHES AN ACCEPTED CITYWIDE AND COUNTYWIDE LEVEL OF CARE AND TREATMENT THAT SHOULD BE AFFORDED ALL VICTIMS. IN ADDITION, SEXUAL ASSAULT EDUCATION AND INSERVICE TRAINING IN A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO VICTIMS ARE OFFERED TO ATTENDING PERSONNEL IN FIELDS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, HEALTH CARE, AND SOCIAL SERVICES. THE RAPE EVIDENCE KIT HAS BEEN STANDARDIZED FOR USE BY MEDICAL PERSONNEL IN THE HOSPITAL SETTING. THE KIT IS UNIFIED SO THAT THE TOOLS TO ESTABLISH A SOUND MEDICOLEGAL CASE ARE EASILY ACCESSIBLE, THE KIT IS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROTOCOL, AND THE COST TO THE INDIVIDUAL JURISDICTION OR HOSPITAL IS LOWER THAN FOR COMMERCIALLY PRODUCED KITS. THE PROTOCOL IS INTENDED AS A GUIDELINE FOR A RESPONSIVE COMMUNITY APPROACH AND IS TO BE USED BY ALL PERSONNEL WHO ATTEND VICTIMS IN HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOMS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, AND SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY AGENCIES. SPECIFIC TOPICS COVERED INCLUDE ESTABLISHING A VICTIM SERVICE NETWORK, THE MEDICAL RESPONSE IN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT, SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE EXAMINATION AND TREATMENT OF SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN, EXAMINING THE SEXUAL ASSAULT SUSPECT, AND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE IN SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATIONS. ALSO DISCUSSED ARE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL REACTIONS OF VICTIMS AND RESPONSE OF PERSONNEL, THE HOSPITAL SOCIAL SERVICE RESPONSE, FOLLOWUP FOR MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT SERVICES, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR ATTENDING PERSONNEL. APPENDIXES INCLUDE LEGAL INFORMATION, SPECIFIC FORMS FOR REQUESTING PROBATION, AUTHORIZING EMERGENCY CARE, AND INFORMED CONSENT IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH, A SELF-HELP GUIDE, AN ENCLOSURE FOR A RAPE EVIDENCE COLLECTION KIT, AND AN APPLICATION FORM FOR INDEMNIFICATION FOR VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIME. A GLOSSARY OF TERMS, BIBLIOGRAPHY, ADDITIONAL REFERENCES, AND AN INDEX ARE PROVIDED. (PGR)