First Responder Guide to Sexual Assault Investigations

1
First Responder Guide to Sexual Assault
Investigations
Basic Law Enforcement Training
Program Presented by the Maine Coalition Against
Sexual Assault

• Adapted from a presentation by the Law
  Enforcement Workgroup of the Midcoast Maine SART.
  The following departments participate in the
  workgroup
• Bath PD, Brunswick PD, Topsham PD, Waldoboro PD,
  Wiscasset PD, Sagadahoc County SO, Lincoln County
  SO, Cumberland County SO, Maine State Police,
  Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast Maine
    

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Performance Objectives

• 6.19.1 Identify myths and facts in reference to
  sexual offenses.
• 6.19.2 Identify crucial evidence of the offense
  and evidence collection procedures.
• 6.19.3 Identify the need for ensuring the
  victims dignity throughout the investigation.
• 6.19.4 Identify resources available to assist
  the victim of a sexual offense.

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Performance Objectives, cont.

• 6.19.5 Identify guidelines to follow when
  interviewing a sex offense victim.
• 6.19.6 Identify guidelines for law enforcement
  personnel first upon the scene.
• 6.19.7 Identify underlying dynamics of
  credibility issues in sexual offenses and the
  potential harm of misjudging victim credibility
  in sexual offenses.

4

• Ive changed. I used to be a happy kind of
  person. I used to be outgoing. I was the person
  everybody else came to for help. I liked my
  life. Now, I dont go out. I avoid people. I
  only do what I have to and sometimes I cant even
  do that.
• I dont know who I am anymore.
• - sexual assault survivor

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Myths and Facts about Sexual Assault

• Which is true?

6

• By the time I realized he wasnt going to listen
  to me, it was too late, I froze and just prayed
  for it to be over.
• - sexual assault survivor

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A note on credibility

• Suspicion
• about the validity of reports
• may be raised
• by certain red flags

8

• but in truth these red flags describe very
  real dynamics in REAL sexual assaults
• Prematurely judging the validity of a report
• may have detrimental consequences

9

• I felt like it was my fault.
• I drank too much.
• I let him drive me home.
• How could I have been so stupid?
• - sexual assault survivor

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Legal Definitions

• Maine Criminal Statutes Title 17-A, secs.
  251-260, include
• Gross sexual assault
• Unlawful sexual contact
• Unlawful sexual touching
• Sexual abuse of minors
• Visual sexual aggression against a child, sexual
  misconduct with a child, solicitation of child by
  computer, etc.

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First Responder Guidelines

• 1. Follow procedures outlined by your department
• 2. Additional Resource
• Law Enforcement First Response
• Guidelines for Adult and Adolescent Sexual
  Assault

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• I felt as if my whole world
• had been kicked out from under me
• and I had been left to drift all alone
• in the darkness.
• - sexual assault survivor

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Step 1 Attend to the Victim

• What
• are your first steps
• at the call?

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Step 2 Notify Supervisor and District Attorneys
Office

• When?

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Step 3 Secure the Crime Scene

• How many crime scenes are involved?

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Step 4 Gather Information

• How much information
• do you want to gather
• from Katherine?

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• I feel angry all the time
• or else Im crying my eyes out.
• People were supportive at first,
• now they are kind of like,
• when are you going to get over this?
• - sexual assault survivor

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Step 5 At the Hospital

• What is
• the officers role
• at the hospital?

19
The Adult Forensic Kit
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Step 6 Evidence Collection

• What evidence
• needs to be collected
• in this case?

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Dont Forget the Suspect

• What about Erik?

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Step 7 Evidence Storage

• What do you do
• with the evidence?

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Child Sexual Abuse

• Mandate to report suspected child abuse to DHHS
• Central Intake, 24-hours 1-800-452-1999

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Additional Considerations

• Diverse populations
• create diverse barriers
• for survivors

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Thank you!

• For more information
• Statewide Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Line
  
• 1-800-871-7741
• TTY 1-888-458-5599
• Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault
• 83 Western Ave. Suite 2, Augusta, ME 04330
• Phone [phone] Fax [phone]
• Email info_at_mecasa.org Web www.mecasa.org