Introduction

Trauma-Informed Investigations for Sexual Assault Cases

Trauma-Informed Investigations for Sexual Assault Cases

← Back to 2022 Sexual Assault Awareness Month Webinar Series

This webinar originally occurred on April 26, 2022
Duration: 1 hour

Overview

This webinar will highlight the importance of conducting a trauma-informed interview of a victim of sexual assault. Trauma-informed investigative interviews provide an opportunity to not only meet investigative objectives and help close cases, but also foster victim healing and engagement with the criminal justice system. Research indicates a sexual assault survivor’s experience and interaction with law enforcement impacts the level of future engagement with the criminal justice system.  

The presenter will not only discuss the benefit of a trauma-informed interview, but also techniques for conducting the actual interview and considerations for training associated with understanding trauma as applied to sexual assault victims. These techniques and considerations for engaging survivors of sexual assault from a trauma-informed, victim-centered perspective support recommendations #2 and #22 of the National Institute of Justice’s National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits: A Multidisciplinary Approach

Detailed Learning Objectives

  1. Attendees will understand the importance of a trauma-informed investigative interview in sexual assault cases. 
  2. Attendees will learn how to conduct a trauma-informed investigative interview. 
  3. Attendees will learn about considerations for trauma-informed training and staying trauma-informed throughout the investigative process. 

Presenter

  • Angela Weekes | Retired Detective Corporal, President, Nampa Family Justice Center

Related Resource

WARNING: THIS WEBINAR CONTAINS GRAPHIC CONTENT


Funding for this Forensic Technology Center of Excellence webinar has been provided by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this webinar are those of the presenter(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Justice.

Contact us at ForensicCOE@rti.org with any questions and subscribe to our newsletter for notifications.


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