Facts in a Flash - Roll Call Training Template and Ideas for VAW Training

Tools Needed:_____________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ Outside Partners:___________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________ __________________________

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Discussion Questions:

National Law Enforcement First-Line Supervisor Training on Violence Against Women National Law Enforcement First-Line Supervisor Training on Violence Against Women

Topic:_________________________________ Facts and Information: Goal:___________ _________________________________________ ______________ _________________________________________ ______________ _________________________________________ ______________ _________________________________________ ______________ _________________________________________ ______________ _________________________________________ ______________ _________________________________________ ______________ _________________________________________ ______________ _________________________________________ ______________ _________________________________________ ______________ _________________________________________ ______________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________

“On the Edge of Homicide: Strangulation as a Prelude” Gael Strack and Casey Gwinn, Criminal Justice, The American Bar Association, Vol. 26, No. 3 (2011)

had been strangled by their partner.

• The odds of becoming an homicide victim increased by 800% for women who

homicide case.

• Efforts should be made to investigate strangulation cases like an attempted

Goal: To provide officers with pertinent information about the occurrence of strangulation and highlight strangulation as a high indicator of lethality in order to strengthen response to this underreported crime.

• Unconsciousness may occur within seconds and death within minutes.

• Injuries often appear to be mild with no visible marks, but internal damages which are not visible may progress to a fatal outcome.

• Strangulation has been identified as one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence.

• Strangulation in VAW crimes is alarmingly high, yet documentation on police reports is extremely low.

• Strangulation refers to external compression of the neck impeding blood flow and oxygen transport to or from the brain.

Strangulation Facts

Topic: Strangulation National Law Enforcement First-Line Supervisor Training on Violence Against Women National Law Enforcement First-Line Supervisor Training on Violence Against Women

What other procedures need to be followed?

• Look for injuries behind the

ears, all around the neck, chin, jaw, eyelids, shoulders and chest area.

What questions should you ask of victims to establish if strangulation occurred and gather the details?

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• Be sure to take photographs of any visible injury however minor 3. and describe injuries in 4. report.

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• Document and describe medical

treatment that was offered or given to the victim.

Did the suspect put his hands/object on your neck?

If so, describe method. One or two hands? Forearm? Object?

What did the suspect say while he was strangling you?

Were you shaken simultaneously while being strangled? Describe.

How long did the suspect strangle you?

How many times were you strangled? Describe each incident and method.

7. Did you black out? Any light headedness?

8. Any difficulty breathing? Any complaint of a hoarse or raspy voice?

9. Any complaint of pain to throat, coughing, or trouble swallowing?

10. Did you vomit, urinate, or defecate as a result of being strangled?

11. Any prior incidents of strangulation?

“On the Edge of Homicide: Strangulation as a Prelude” Gael Strack and Casey Gwinn, Criminal Justice, The American Bar Association, Vol. 26, No. 3 (2011)

IACP The Crime of Human Trafficking: A Law Enforcement Guide to Identification and Investigation

9. Has anyone threatened to harm your family?

8. Have you or anyone you work with been abused at the workplace?

Have you had a trafficking case or heard of one in your area?

7. Are you afraid to leave?

6. Are you allowed to freely come and go?

Are you familiar with the federal law?

4. Do you owe your boss any money?

Do you know if your state has an anti-trafficking statute?

5. Describe the conditions of your workplace.

The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) 2000, addresses human trafficking through protection and assistance for victims, prosecution of offenders, and prevention efforts internationally.

3. Have you been paid? For what were you paid?

2. What are your hours of work?

1. How long have you been working here?

Questions to ask when identifying a possible victim

Additional Information National Law Enforcement First-Line Supervisor Training on Violence Against Women National Law Enforcement First-Line Supervisor Training on Violence Against Women

Topic: Human Trafficking Goal:

Facts Human False TrueTrafficking Play segment from IACP Human Trafficking Roll Call Video.

To provide officers with pertinent information about identifying human trafficking and highlight investigation tips and strategies.

Trafficking networks are limited to urban locales.

FALSE: Traffickers also seek the seclusion of rural and remote area to operate undetected.

Smuggling and trafficking are the same.

FALSE: Trafficking is not voluntary; one cannot consent to being trafficking. Smuggling is voluntary; an individual typically contracts to be taken across the boarder.

U.S. citizens cannot be trafficked.

FALSE: Human trafficking can occur domestically or internationally.

It is still considered trafficking if the trafficker and victim are related, in an intimate relationship, or married.

TRUE: It is a misconception that it cannot be trafficking if the trafficker and the victim are related or married.

IACP The Crime of Human Trafficking: A Law Enforcement Guide to Identification and Investigation

To provide officers with information about the occurrence of alcohol facilitated sexual assault and highlight promising practices for response and investigation.

Goal:

If you wanted to commit a crime against a person and get away with it who would you pick as the victim?

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Is the officer’s judgment about credibility sufficient investigation to submit the case for prosecution or to clear it as unfounded?

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Who counts on law enforcement officers believing that voluntary intoxication means a victim is not credible?

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What message is being sent by using this language and to whom?

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Ask the group the following discussion to elicit discussion: “...due to the victims voluntary intoxication and intoxicated state her account cannot be believed…”

Read group quote taken from a sexual assault report:

Topic: Alcohol Facilitated Sexual Assault National Law Enforcement First-Line Supervisor Training on Violence Against Women National Law Enforcement First-Line Supervisor Training on Violence Against Women

Facts: • Perpetrators often only use as much force

as needed —in many cases a perpetrator can commit the crime by using lesser means such as alcohol or drugs.

• Alcohol enables perpetrators to more

easily commit a sexual offense and frame a victim as a less reliable witness.

• Situations where the victim is legally

viewed as unable to consent due to incapacitation is still considered criminal sexual activity in the absence of force or threat.

• Victims of this crime often report gaps in

time and memory and uncertainty about the chronology of what happened and details.

Suggested procedures to follow: • Immediately determine the time frame of the incident when

he /she suspects a drug facilitated sexual assault occurred.

• Ask the victim to articulate how he/she felt or what he/she had

been doing prior to losing consciousness.

• Communicate to the victim that substance abuse does not

justify the sexual assault.

• It is crucial to interview any witnesses who might have seen

the victim or spoken with the victim, before, during or after the assault. Witnesses can often establish time frames, comment on unusual behavior, provide critical facts, and identify potential sources of information.

• In the report, articulate why the victim’s incapacitation as a

result of voluntary alcohol/drug use is an issue of increased vulnerability rather than culpability.

IACP Investigating Sexual Assaults, Concepts and Issues Paper

IACP Sexual Assault Guidelines and Investigation Strategies and Sexual Assault Model Policy

• Provide the victim with resources on local counseling services

first language of the victim, witness, or suspect. pre/post behavior • Information regarding the suspect’s

post-assault behavior • Information regarding the victim’s

in which the assault took place • Information regarding the environment

comparison to the victim’s • Suspect’s size and strength, in

and feelings during the assault • Detailed account of the victim’s thoughts

• Arrange unbiased, independent translation if English is not the • Interview, do not interrogate, the victim.

in quotations.

• Use exact words of victim and suspect and place those

grooming behavior.

• Capture details of suspect’s pre-meditation and • Photograph any physical evidence and document clearly.

observed including the victim’s feelings as expressed.

• Document detailed descriptions of the victim’s condition as

imply consent.

Focus on evidence to establish that consent was absent and fear was present, including:

• Approach every case with an open mind and without

• Evidence of physical or verbal resistance

• Write a detailed narrative. Be careful not to use words that

making assumptions.

Response and Investigative Tips

Additional information to include in report: National Law Enforcement First-Line Supervisor Training on Violence Against Women National Law Enforcement First-Line Supervisor Training on Violence Against Women

Topic: Non-Stranger Sexual Assault Goal:

Non-Stranger Sexual Assault Facts Myths and Facts Approximately 2/3 reports rape cases are perpetrated by someone know to the victim.

To provide officers with FACT: Most sexual assault victims are acquainted with the suspect in some way, yet pertinent information rarely expect intimacy with the suspect. about non-stranger 73% of assaults were committed by non-strangers. sexual assault in order FACT: 38% of rapist are a friend or acquaintance, 28% are an intimate, to strengthen response 7% are a relative. to and investigation of these crimes.

Most assaults/rapes that are reported took place far from the victims home.

MYTH: 50% of reports assaults/rapes took place within one mile of the victims home or in their home.

A prior or current relationship or previous acts of intimacy are sufficient to establish consent.

MYTH: A previous intimate contact/relationship are insufficient indicators of consent.

Victims of non-stranger assault often do not identify their experience as sexual assault.

FACT: Victims of non-stranger sexual assault oftentimes blame themselves for the assault.

The offender uses the victim's trust to isolate him or her from others.

FACT: Sexual assault is a crime of motive and opportunity.

IACP Investigating Sexual Assaults, Concepts and Issues Paper

IACP’s National Law Enforcement First-Line Supervisor Training on Violence Against Women

Ideas for Roll-Call Training To deliver the most effective training, partner with community organizations, prosecutors, and advocates. Training delivery methods can include: myths and facts, case studies, video and audio, report review, and true and false.

The abbreviation VAW (Violence Against Women) includes the crimes of domestic violence, stalking, human trafficking, sexual assault, and sub-categories of these crimes (e.g., police officer perpetrated offenses, teen dating violence). When bracketed as [VAW] you are strongly encouraged to specify the crime to which you are referring.

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Collaboration Community domestic violence organizations Community sexual assault organizations Community stalking organizations Community human trafficking organizations Sexual assault nurse examiners Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART): Development and Support Advocate support: internal and external States/District Attorney’s Office o Policies and procedures o Access to representatives o Warrants Violence Against Women, General Department [VAW] policy and protocol updates Crime of [VAW] Culture and sensitivity for responding to violence against women The interconnected nature of VAW crimes and methods for documenting and investigating co-occurring offenses The impact of trauma and victim interviewing Realities of perpetrators and suspect behavior [VAW] and liability issues Case law pertaining to [VAW] Avoiding bias in [VAW] reports Social media/networking and [VAW] Leadership Recognizing signs of vicarious trauma Early warning systems Identifying signs of officer burn-out Motivation techniques to enhance response to [VAW] Bystander intervention Team climate and strengthening response to violence against women Recognizing compassion fatigue Establishing stronger communication systems Identifying team member victims of violence Administrative vs. criminal investigations Internal and external resources for support (EAP, mental health services) Tips for effective testimonies

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Firearms Federal firearms laws related to domestic violence Seizing firearms in domestic violence cases Safety planning with victims Protection order enforcement and firearms Assessing danger/lethality Domestic Violence Sexual violence as it occurs in domestic violence cases Strangulation as it occurs in domestic violence cases Effectively determining the predominant aggressor Self-defense and identifying injuries from self-defense Accurate language and terminology in reports U-Visas: basics and use Safety planning with victims Assessing danger/lethality Protection order enforcement Elements of the Power and Control Wheel Effective interview techniques Crimes often missed when responding to domestic violence Collecting and documenting photographic evidence Describing crime scenes in reports Documenting intimidation and fear in reports Gathering information on the history of the relationship Proper clearance coding Using supplemental report forms Responding to same-sex incidents and assaults Police Officer Perpetrated Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency policy and procedures Firearm surrender procedures when order of protection is issued against an officer MOUs with neighboring jurisdictions where officers reside to ensure notification and chance for administrative investigation Early warning systems

Lethality Assessment  Danger/risk indicators  Effective interview techniques  Connection between [VAW] and homicide  Suspect and victim access to weapons  Strangulation o Prevalence o Identifying injuries, internal and external o Questions to ask victims Human Trafficking  Definition, statistics, and prevalence  Elements of the crime  Distinctions between trafficking and smuggling  Trauma and victims of trafficking  Identifying trafficking and effectively responding  Methods of control used by perpetrators  Effective interview techniques  Legal assistance available for victims  Federal and state laws  U-Visas: basics and use  Identifying human trafficking victims on calls of sexual assault and domestic violence  Collecting and documenting photographic evidence  Local organizations and partnerships Stalking  Utilizing stalking kits and stalking logs with victims  Protection order enforcement  Assessing danger/lethality  Accurate language and terminology in reports  Perpetrator use of cyber-stalking and stalking with technology  Law enforcement use of technology in investigations  Connection to other crimes: theft, property destruction, etc.  Domestic violence and stalking  Sexual assault and stalking  Collecting and documenting evidence  Effective interview techniques  Crimes often missed when responding to stalking  Documenting intimidation and fear in reports Predominant Aggressor Determination  Offensive and defensive injuries  Severity of injuries received  Identifying threats and fear  Establishing the history of relationship  Witness interviews  Documenting prior calls to police

Effective Interviewing  Where to conduct interviews  Using open ended questions  How to capture needed information  Working with children Sexual Assault  Proper case coding and closure procedures  Assessing danger/lethality  Stalking as it occurs in sexual assault cases  Domestic violence that occurs in sexual assault cases  Common rape myths and facts  Use of alcohol/drugs in sexual assault cases  Realties of false reports  Investigation best practices  The use of pretext phone calls in investigations  Characteristics and behaviors of sexual assault perpetrators  Accurate language and terminology to use in reports  Trauma and victims of sexual assault  Effective interview techniques  Crimes often missed when responding to sexual assault  Victim and suspect exams  Collecting and documenting evidence  Documenting intimidation and fear in reports  The roll of sexual assault response teams (SARTs)  The roll of sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs)  Suspect interrogations  Responding to same-sex sexual assaults  Use of sexual assault by gangs  Perpetrator creation and exploitation of vulnerabilities Protection Orders  Protection order availability and process  Department procedures for violations  Victim follow-up procedures  Full faith and credit (validity of orders across jurisdictional boundaries)  Service of orders  Safety planning with victims  Assessing danger/lethality  Firearms and protection orders Safety Planning with Victims  Protection order availability and process  Assessing danger/lethality  Community resources and support  Safety of children  Workplace safety