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Law Enforcement Trainings
Investigating Sexual Assault: Working with Victims
WELCOME to the FCASV online classroom.This training is designed for law enforcement responding officers and investigators. It features three two-part presentations that address key issues related to working with victims of sexual assault. The goal of the training is to provide useful information to assist you when working with sexual battery victims and investigating sexual battery cases.
The training is presented under three topic headings:
- Traumatic Response to Sexual Assault
- Understanding Rape Victims
- Victims Rights Legislation
Course Objectives
When you have completed this training you will have increased knowledge of the following:
- Florida sexual assault statistics
- Response to trauma, including Rape-related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Impact of trauma on memory and functioning
- Implications of traumatic response for victim interviews
- False reporting
- Improving victim cooperation
- Interviewing victims
- Rights and remedies available to sexual assault victims in Florida
- Sexual assault related laws passed in the 2011 Florida legislative session
The training concludes with a 12 question quiz afterwhich you may print out a certificate of completion.
Click here for Access to the course "Investigating Sexual Assault: Working with Victims"
Law Enforcement and Prosecutors: Working Together to Win Sexual Battery Cases
This training is designed for law enforcement responding officers and investigators. It features three interviews with Florida Assistant State Attorneys discussing key issues related to investigative practices that promote successful prosecutions of sexual battery cases.
Endorsed by:
- Florida Sheriffs Association
- Florida Police Chiefs Association
- Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association
The Florida Bar has approved this course for 1.00 general CLER credit
Course Content
The interviews are presented under six topic headings:
- Elements of Investigation
- Evidence in Tricky Cases
- Forensic Exams and Toxicology Reports
- Pretext Calls
- Williams Rule and Brady Evidence
- Successful Prosecutions and Case Dismissals
Course Objectives
When you have completed this training you will be able to:
- List types of evidence that are useful in investigating a sexual battery case
- Identify investigative techniques used to corroborate the victim's story
- Discuss issues of consent in stranger and non-stranger sexual assault
- Discuss prosecutors use of evidence to establish non-consent
- Discuss the role of forensic evidence collection in building a case
- Discuss the role of collaboration for successful prosecution of sexual battery cases
- Apply "Williams Rule" and "Brady Evidence" to sexual battery cases
The training concludes with a 12 question quiz after which you may print out a certificate of completion.
Click here for Access to the course - "Law Enforcement and Prosecutors: Working Together to Win Sexual Battery Cases"
Sexual Assault Victims Rights and Services DVD
Florida Council Against Sexual Violence has used STOP stimulus funds to create a law enforcement training video for distribution to law enforcement agencies throughout Florida. The goal of the project is to instruct officers on implementation of SB 1312, passed in 2009, that requires law enforcement officers to provide sexual assault victims information on legal rights, crisis and advocacy services, referrals to local certified rape crisis centers and informational brochures.
The “Sexual Assault Victims Rights and Services” video has been endorsed by the Florida Police Chiefs Association and the Florida Sex Crime Investigators Association.
The law enforcement video informs officers of the rights and services available to victims of sexual assault. It provides officers with information on forensic and medical exams, victim compensation, sexual violence injunctions and the services offered by advocates in certified rape centers.
The training includes a model interview between a responding officer and a victim of sexual assault. The officer demonstrates that responding to victims with compassion and sensitivity and taking the time to inform them of their rights and resources are the best practices for effective investigations and protecting victims.
FCASV contracted with Mike Vasalinda Productions and collaborated with Tallahassee Police Department, Special Victims Unit, to film the video.
FCASV hopes users will find this video to be a useful training tool. We welcome feedback and suggestions for future training projects. Please direct communications to Grace Frances, Director of Programs, at gfrances@fcasv.org.