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Often questions about timing center around the victim’s need for sleep following the sexual assault and preliminary investigation. In general, we believe that our communities could go a long way toward improving our response to sexual assault if we simply operated from the premise that we want victims to be involved in our response systems, so we should do whatever we reasonably can to help them do so. Sometimes we get so focused on our own policies and procedures that we forget to make accommodations that would encourage victims to participate, even if they entail some compromises that are less than ideal. (Originally distributed 6/2013)

Clearly, law enforcement professionals must conduct a thorough investigation and provide prosecutors with a thorough, written report in order to support the charges filed. Yet, very few law enforcement professionals have been provided the training in how to do this effectively, especially in the area of sexual assault. This module is designed to address this problem. Please note, to access the interactive version of this module (which includes review and test questions, and audio/video components), please visit http://olti.evawintl.org

Much of the thinking about sexual assault has not changed in the last 20-30 years, because this thinking continues to reflect a number of myths and misconceptions about rape, rape victims, and rape perpetrators. This module will examine those myths and misconceptions, the reasons for them, and how they affect the investigation of sexual assault. It will conclude with an examination of the actual characteristics of sexual assaults. Please note, to access the interactive version of this module (which includes review and test questions, and audio/video components), please visit http://olti.evawintl.org

This module will describe the symptoms and stages often experienced by sexual assault victims. This information is provided in order to assist law enforcement and others in understanding the behavior of sexual assault victims and conducting their investigation in the most sensitive and effective way. However, it is critical that officers and investigators remember that there is no universal reaction to sexual assault. Please note, to access the interactive version of this module (which includes review and test questions, and audio/video components), please visit http://olti.evawintl.org

This module accompanies the Model Policy on Investigating Sexual Assaults established by the IACP National Law Enforcement Policy Center. The purpose of the policy is to provide officers and investigators with guidelines for responding to reports of sexual assault, assisting victims, collaborating with local health and service agencies, and conducting interviews with victims, witnesses, and suspects. Because of the special needs involved in sexual assault investigations, this policy is an all-inclusive document that covers first response, investigation, and prosecution. Please note, to access the interactive version of this module (which includes review and test questions, and audio/video components), please visit http://olti.evawintl.org

Although penal code definitions of criminal sex offenses vary, most are conceptually similar and can be understood by analyzing their elements. This type of analysis is represented in the charts provided with this module. By following the charts and making a series of decisions, law enforcement investigators can determine not only which specific crime was committed but also frame the entire investigative strategy based on the defense that is most likely to be raised. Criminal sex offenses will thus be discussed conceptually in this module; this discussion must be supplemented with information from relevant penal code sections in your own jurisdiction. Please note, to access the interactive version of this module (which includes review and test questions, and audio/video components), please visit http://olti.evawintl.org

The purpose of a law enforcement interview with a sexual assault victim is to help them: (1) remember details about their sexual assault, and (2) share those details with investigators. The investigator’s role is then to document this information and evaluate it within the context of the entire investigation. This module offers a brief overview of the scientific research on stress, trauma, and memory, as well as the unique dynamics of sexual assault. This information is then applied to the practical tasks involved in the initial response to a sexual assault report, follow-up interviews, and documentation. It also addresses the impact of interviews on investigators themselves, and offers ways for law enforcement agencies to support investigators and high-quality sexual assault investigations.

This module is designed to directly confront this issue of false reporting. By doing so, we will try to answer those questions that have historically created a bigger hurdle for sexual assault victims than any lack of training or experience on the part of law enforcement professionals. Please note, to access the interactive version of this module (which includes review and test questions, and audio/video components), please visit http://olti.evawintl.org

This module provides an in-depth overview on Sexual Assault Response and Resource Teams (SARRTs). If you are from a rural or remote community, we suggest you complete EVAWI 11: Sexual Assault Response and Resource Teams (SARRT): A Guide for Rural and Remote Communities. The information on how to develop and implement a SARRT is essentially the same in both modules, so we would recommend that you complete one or the other but not both. Please note, to access the interactive version of this module (which includes review and test questions, and audio/video components), please visit http://olti.evawintl.org

In this module, we will provide information for law enforcement officers, investigators, and supervisors who make decisions regarding how to clear or otherwise close sexual assault cases. These determinations can be extremely difficult, yet many law enforcement personnel are provided little or no guidance in how to make them appropriately. Therefore, in this module we will walk through the various ways in which a sexual assault case can be cleared or otherwise closed, and how some are not really closed at all but simply suspended or inactivated. Please note, to access the interactive version of this module (which includes review and test questions, and audio/video components), please visit http://olti.evawintl.org