Introducing Expert Testimony in Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Cases
- OVW Approved?
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Yes
- Description
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Join us for the webinar—Introducing Expert Testimony in Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Cases, July 21, 2026, at 2pm ET / 11am PT. CLE credit is available!
Assumptions about victims of violence and how they “should” react often conflict with the way victims actually respond to physical and emotional trauma. If left unexplained at trial, these misconceptions can severely impact the outcome of a case. Experienced professionals familiar with the effects of trauma and the range of individual responses to trauma can provide judges and juries with the necessary context to ensure that they are making informed decisions based on the evidence.
This presentation will focus on common victim responses to trauma, as well as their impact on fact finders’ assessment of victim credibility in domestic and sexual violence cases. The presenter will summarize the law related to the introduction of expert testimony and highlight the importance of deciding how and when to introduce it. The presentation will also focus on strategies for identifying experts and how to use experts during the investigation and preparation of a case for trial, even if the testimony will not be introduced.
This presentation is supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-24-GK-03009-MUMU awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this presentation are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice.