Conducting Trauma Informed Sexual Assault Investigations

Sep 11 2019 - 8:00am to Sep 13 2019 - 4:30pm
Event Location: 
Sheboygan, WI

Cross-training among the various disciplines responsible for responding to a report of sexual assault is essential in ensuring that each professional understands, respects, and values the roles and responsibilities of their colleagues.  This multidisciplinary response is considered best practice as it provides a collaborative, victim-centered response to sensitive crimes by reducing the potential for re-victimization by the criminal justice system and begins the process of healing for the victim.  It also ensures an offender-focused response by gathering all of the facts of a case, drawing attention to the actions and behaviors of the offender, and holding the perpetrator of the crime accountable for their actions.

 

The first day of training is open to a multidisciplinary audience including law enforcement, advocates, sexual assault nurse examiners, prosecutors, victim/witness specialists and other community collaborators.

 

The second and third day of training is open to members of law enforcement only.

 

SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATION BEST PRACTICES

 

Day one will examine the biological backdrop from which trauma reactions emerge, providing investigators, prosecutors, advocates and other stake-holders with a more complete understanding of how to respond to victims, and how to investigate these cases more fully.

 

Days two and three will explore the research supporting the use of trauma-informed interview techniques as the best means for obtaining the most accurate information from victim survivors about the sexual assault.  The trauma impact will be connected to the interview, providing explanation for what we know about the impact of trauma on the brain with demonstration of how “old” interview and interrogation methods are ineffective. 

 

Information will also be provided on how, due to these ineffective methods, we have inadvertently set victims up to fail, set up well-intentioned investigations to fail and set up prosecutions to fail.  Finally, participants will be provided with information on forensic experiential trauma interview techniques, offender accountability, and identifying corroborating evidence. 

 

For more information and to register, go here.