AG Kaul announces new guidelines to help support sexual assault victims

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- New guidelines announced Tuesday by Attorney General Kaul aim to help victims of sexual assault get support and justice. 

The best practice recommendations for Sexual Assault Response Teams focuses on how police officers, nurse examiners and prosecutors can best help a victim. 

The goal is to make sure victims' voices are heard from the moment they file a report to the often-difficult process of prosecution.

"These best practices help us, as prosecutors, ensure that we are using trauma-informed and victim-centered approaches when we help victims walk through the criminal justice system," said Kim Hardtke, VAWA regional resource prosecutor. 

These guidelines are a result of collaboration at the local, state and national level. 

Leaders say these guidelines can serve as a basis for municipalities in the state who don't yet have a sexual assault response team in place.

 Resources and information for survivors of sexual assault can be found by clicking here or here.