Instructions:

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NEED:  Whether crime rates rise or fall in any geographic area, there will always be a substantial number of victims of crime. Current trends in law enforcement training deal mostly with prevention, detection, and investigation of a crime.

As the first responder at most crime scenes where a victim exists, it is imperative that law enforcement officers provide a trauma – informed response to victims of sexual assault and violence.

It is essential that sexual assault victims have access to information, programs, and services and are treated with fairness, compassion, and respect throughout any investigative and service referral process. It is critical the law enforcement officer is cognizant of the rights and of the needs of the victim.

OVERVIEW: This training course is designed to provide an overview of the current best practices for a trauma – informed response to victims of sexual assault and violence, as well as the appropriate resources to put the victim in contact with trained victim services professionals best suited to meet the needs of the individual victim.

The information in this curriculum is provided inorder to assist law enforcement and others in understanding the behavior of sexual assault victims in order to conduct interviews and investigations in the most sensitive and effective way – “a trauma – informed response.”  However, it is critical that officers and investigators remember when working with victims of crime, there is no universal reaction to sexual assault and violence.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Law Enforcement Practioners

LENGTH OF COURSE: 8 HOURS

C0URSE CREDIT: 8

The development of this course was funded by Grant No. 3582101 awarded by the Office on Violence against Women Act (VAWA) Pub. L. No.113-4 US Department of Justice.

This curriculum will address programs and policies authorized by the Violence against Women Act (VAWA) in response to legislative and congressional actions taken to improve national criminal justice response.