Crisis Intervention With Victims of Forcible Rape - A Police Perspective (From Perspectives on Rape and Sexual Assault, P 89-103, 1984, June Hopkins, ed. - See NCJ-105029)

• NCJ Number: 105036
• Author(s): H J O'Reilly
• Date Published: 1984
• Length: 15 pages
• Sale Source: Harper and Row
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper describes the components of crisis intervention training for sex crime investigators in the New York City Police Department (NYPD).

Abstract

Training starts with discrediting a number of common myths about rape and the rape victims. Among these myths are that victims provoke the rape and that they enjoy it, that offenders are psychopaths, that many accusations are false, and that victims should resist the assault and fit the tearful-victim stereotype. Because officers must be conscious of and sensitive to the tremendous detrimental impact of rape, training also emphasizes the victim's vulnerability and the need for empathetic handling of the victim. It is recommended that investigators limit their questioning, ensure that the victim's medical and personal needs are attended to, avoid any show of force, and remain nonjudgmental. In addition, officers are advised to be patient and sensitive in their questioning, to allow the victim to ventilate her feelings, and to keep in touch with the victim after the initial contact.