NCJ Number
178824
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 66 Issue: 9 Dated: September 1999 Pages: 31-35
Date Published
September 1999
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article describes innovative training initiatives for police in responding to and interviewing sexual assault victims, with attention to lessons drawn from evaluative research on these initiatives.
Abstract
The National Center for Women and Policing is in the process of developing a model training curriculum in sexual assault investigation, building on similar work conducted in Illinois, Connecticut, Colorado, and other States. This effort will highlight techniques for effectively investigating acquaintance rape and differentiating these techniques from approaches more commonly used with stranger assaults. After the curriculum development process is complete, train-the-trainer sessions will be conducted to certify individuals who will administer the program in all 50 States. As part of the curriculum, the following guidelines are provided for conducting an initial interview with an adult sexual assault victim: develop positive rapport; communicate empathy; provide information; help the victim regain control; address concerns about prosecution; recognize the victim's reaction; allow the presence of others when possible; allow the victim to set the pace/tone; understand disorganized thinking; and close the interview so as to facilitate the continued cooperation of the victim. Evaluation research on a 4-hour experimental training curriculum suggests that the impact of classroom instruction is limited in the absence of practical application. The research shows the superiority of behavioral assessment of students over more traditional paper-and-pencil knowledge measures.