Over the past years, Virginia's crime rates have zoomed to overwhelming proportions, especially in the area of sexual assault. While crimes such as homicide and robbery have fluctuated and, in some instances, decreased, sexual assault crimes continue to increase in Virginia annually.

Continuing the trend in recent years, forcible rape showed a 6% increase during the calendar year 1977 as compared with the previous year. There was a total of 1,167 offenses reported in 1977 as compared with 1,103 in 1976. Of those reported last year, 865 were forcible rapes, an increase of 65 over the previous year. (See Appendix I). These figures are from the Uniform Crime Reporting section of the Department of State Police.

The Crime Commission became concerned over this increasing problem after a review of the state's statistics for 1974 and 1975 revealed substantial increases over other major crimes. The Commission also heard concerns expressed from law enforcement agencies throughout the state. Added attention was brought to the problem after a number of heinous sexual assaults were committed involving children and college students. This stirred citizens in various parts of the state. Women's organizations and rape crisis centers brought to the public's attention the need for improvement of victim treatment and more victim reporting of the crime.

In a 1976 Senate Resolution, the Crime Commission asked that a comprehensive study be conducted to determine the problems associated with the high occurrence of sexual assaults. The Senate Joint Resolution passed and the General Assembly directed the Crime Commission to research all aspects of these crimes in Virginia and report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly.

The objectives of this study, as set forth in its mandate, were to reduce the occurrence and work toward the prevention of criminal sexual assault. The goal of the study is to enact a new Sexual Assault Statute in Virginia--one that is conclusive and comprehensive, and provides better treatment to victims of sexual assault crimes.

In August 1976, a 42-member advisory task force was appointed by the Commission to study criminal sexual assault. These persons were chosen, based on their expertise, professions or interests in sexual assault crimes. They represent the entire State in regard to sex, race, age, occupations, economic status and interest. The task force has worked diligently in researching all aspects of sexual assault. The task force was divided into five (5) distinct areas of study according to expertise and interests. The five subcommittees are Legislation, Court Process, Public Education, Law Enforcement, and Treatment, Rehabilitation and Punishment.