Crime Victims Support
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Lynn Rasnick
Vice President of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs
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- 573-893-3700| ext. 1304
Supporting Crime Victims in Missouri Hospitals
Hospitals serve as critical access points for crime victims, providing essential medical care, mental health support and forensic evidence collection. Advocates and health care workers play a key role in ensuring victims receive timely and compassionate care.
Additionally, workplace violence can impact hospital employees, making it essential to establish comprehensive safety measures that protect both patients and staff. Strengthening these efforts can help hospitals provide more effective, supportive care for crime victims while enhancing overall hospital safety.
Explore Additional Quality Care & Patient Safety Resources
Looking for more tools and guidance on supporting crime victims in hospital settings? MHA offers resources to help hospitals enhance forensic care, implement trauma-informed practices and collaborate with advocacy organizations.
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Understanding Victims' Rights
Under the Compensation of Victims of Violent Crimes Law of 1997, a victim is defined as someone who has suffered serious bodily harm or health impairment due to a violent crime or someone who has died as a result of such a crime.
Victims' rights are protected under state and federal laws, ensuring:
- Respect, dignity and fairness in the justice process
- Privacy protections for personal and medical information
- Limited involvement in law enforcement proceedings, if desired
- Timely access to case updates and protection from the accused
Victims' rights vary by jurisdiction and are determined by the laws of the state or federal entity responsible for prosecution.
The Hospital’s Role in Victim Support
Hospitals provide critical services to crime victims, including:
- Emergency medical care for physical injuries
- Forensic evidence collection for criminal investigations
- Mental health and trauma support for emotional recovery
- Guidance on legal rights and referrals to advocacy services
By ensuring staff are trained in trauma-informed care, hospitals can create a safe and supportive environment that respects the needs of victims and promotes healing.
MHA’s Advocacy & Education in Human Trafficking
MHA is committed to advancing education and advocacy efforts to help hospitals identify and support victims of human trafficking. To strengthen hospital responses, MHA convened a group of experts from Missouri hospitals and the Attorney General's Office Human Trafficking Task Force to form the Hospital Human Trafficking Task Force.
This task force collaborated over several months to develop the Human Trafficking Toolkit, an MHA members-only resource. Hospitals can use this toolkit to:
- Form multidisciplinary teams to address trafficking concerns
- Develop policies and procedures for identifying and treating trafficking victims
- Enhance staff training through 14 online education modules designed to improve awareness and response strategies
These on-demand training modules make the education process efficient and cost-effective, ensuring that hospital staff can quickly gain the knowledge they need to recognize and support trafficking victims.
More Resources for Human Trafficking Prevention & Victim Support
HELPFUL RESOURCES Tools & Support
HOTLINES Human Trafficking
Missouri Trafficking Hotline: 1-844-487-0492
Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888
Text: 233733 (BeFree)
Supporting Victims of Sexual Assault
Hospitals and health care advocates have access to key resources to improve their response to crime victims and ensure compliance with best practices:
- MO Statewide Telehealth Network for Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Webinar – Learn about Missouri’s upcoming telehealth network, which will require hospitals to complete sexual assault forensic exams 24/7 if they do not have trained staff on-site.
- Sexual Assault Evidence Kit Video – A resource from the Missouri Sexual Assault Response Team, guiding forensic evidence collection with insights from crime lab professionals.
- Intimate Partner Violence Toolkit – A comprehensive guide to building a sustainable response to intimate partner violence and human trafficking, designed for health centers in partnership with social service organizations.
- Clinical Guidelines on Responding to Adolescent Relationship Abuse – A clinician-focused toolkit that highlights best practices for preventing, identifying and addressing adolescent relationship abuse in health care settings.
The resources linked below help hospitals implement evidence-based practices, strengthen victim support services, and enhance coordination with law enforcement and advocacy organizations.
HOTLINES Mandating Reporting Resources
Several hotlines are available to assist in reporting abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
- Missouri’s Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline operates daily from 7 a.m. to midnight, responding to reports of abuse, neglect, bullying and financial exploitation. A Mandated Reporter Form is available for reporting concerns outside of operating hours.
- The Children’s Division Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline is available 24/7, year-round, ensuring that reports of child abuse and neglect are promptly addressed.
- The National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline, operated by RAINN, connects callers to local affiliate organizations for immediate support and resources.
For more information or to access reporting tools, visit the respective agency websites or call the hotlines linked below.
- Missouri’s Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1-800-392-0210
- Relay Missouri Abuse Hotline for the Hearing Impaired: call 1-800-735-2466 or text 1-800-735-2966
- Children’s Division Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1-800-392-3738
- National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline: 1-800-656-4673 (HOPE)