End Violence Against Women International Content Topic Results

Reducing Gender Bias in Sexual Assault Response and Investigation – Part 2

Part 2 resumes the discussion with an exploration of how gender bias affects victim blaming after the sexual assault. Speakers evaluate how gender bias plays a critical role in the designation of false reports in cases of sexual assault, and consider the intersection of gender bias and victim recantations. The presentation concludes with recommendations for reducing the effect of gender bias in these cases.

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Reducing Gender Bias in Sexual Assault Response and Investigation – Part 1

berdman — Tue, 02 Feb 2021 17:54:19 +0000

Reducing Gender Bias in Sexual Assault Response and Investigation – Part 1 berdman Tue, 02/02/2021 - 12:54

General Material

Training Tools

Published Date

April, 2020

Publisher(s)

Reducing Gender Bias in Sexual Assault Response and Investigation – Part 1

This webinar series explores the phenomenon of gender bias, both explicit (conscious) and implicit (unconscious), and the resulting stereotypes and attitudes that can influence the professional response to, and investigation of, sexual assault. Many of the same principles apply to cases of intimate partner violence and other gender-based violence. Part 1 begins by introducing the concept of implicit bias, and then address key questions about how this can influence sexual assault dynamics and responses. For example, examination of the relationship between gender bias and victim selection at the time of the sexual assault.

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Successfully Investigating Sexual Assault Against Victims with Disabilities

berdman — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 13:45:27 +0000

Successfully Investigating Sexual Assault Against Victims with Disabilities berdman Wed, 02/10/2021 - 08:45

General Material

Training Tools

Published Date

June, 2019

Publisher(s)

Successfully Investigating Sexual Assault Against Victims with Disabilities

Author(s)

Written from a law enforcement perspective, this module offers information and guidance for first responders as well as investigators and prosecutors on investigating sexual assault against people with disabilities. The module may be useful to those whose work intersects with the criminal justice system, to ensure that people with disabilities who are victimized have equal access to information, programs, and services – and that they are treated with fairness, compassion, and respect.

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False Reports: Moving Beyond the Issue to Successfully Investigate and Prosecute Non-Stranger Sexual Assault

Anonymous — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 19:33:03 +0000

False Reports: Moving Beyond the Issue to Successfully Investigate and Prosecute Non-Stranger Sexual Assault Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 09/08/2014 - 15:33

General Material

Training Tools

Published Date

February, 2019

Publisher(s)

False Reports: Moving Beyond the Issue to Successfully Investigate and Prosecut…

Author(s)

Kimberly A. Lonsway

Joanne Archambault

Alan Berkowitz

The information from this module answer questions that have historically created significant hurdles for sexual assault victims and addresses issues of false reporting. These questions include:

What are the “red flags” that raise suspicion of a sexual assault report?
What is our gut reaction to these “red flags?”
How are these “red flags” based on cultural stereotypes of “real rape?”
What is the actual definition of a false report?
But what if part of the report is false?
How can law enforcement investigators create a “false report?”
How many sexual assault reports are actually false?
How should law enforcement handle the frustrating reality of “real” false reports?
How can investigators reverse this cycle of suspicion?

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Interviewing the Victim: Techniques Based on the Realistic Dynamics of Sexual Assault

berdman — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 13:17:10 +0000

Interviewing the Victim: Techniques Based on the Realistic Dynamics of Sexual Assault berdman Mon, 04/08/2019 - 09:17

General Material

Training Tools

Published Date

February, 2019

Publisher(s)

Interviewing the Victim: Techniques Based on the Realistic Dynamics of Sexual A…

Author(s)

Joanne Archambault

Kimberly A. Lonsway

This training module addresses how to:

Recognize the importance of effective victim interviewing in the successful investigation and prosecution of sexual assault cases
Identify common barriers to effectively interviewing sexual assault victims
Identify and overcome the fundamental challenges faced by law enforcement professionals conducting a victim interview
Recognize various policy questions and “best practices” for law enforcement
Conduct an effective preliminary interview with a victim of sexual assault
Conduct an effective follow-up interview with a victim of sexual assault.

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Trauma Informed Approach

Uncovering Sexual Assault in Domestic Violence Calls: An Improved Law Enforcement Response to Assess for Sexual Violence, Build an Evidence Based Case and Reduce Gender Bias Webinar

berdman — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 18:17:18 +0000

Uncovering Sexual Assault in Domestic Violence Calls: An Improved Law Enforcement Response to Assess for Sexual Violence, Build an Evidence Based Case and Reduce Gender Bias Webinar berdman Fri, 04/05/2019 - 14:17

General Material

Training Tools

Published Date

November, 2018

Publisher(s)

Uncovering Sexual Assault in Domestic Violence Calls: An Improved Law Enforceme…

Author(s)

Mike Davis

This webinar explains how law enforcement can evolve from not properly addressing intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) in domestic violence situations to a practical, well trained response. Supplementary materials offer additional information on how to sensitively assess for sexual violence and build an evidence-based case through investigation and prosecution. There are also materials to help develop policies, protocols, and training, as well as reducing gender bias in policing.

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Material Categories

Screening & Assessment

Domestic Violence

Miami Law Human Rights Clinic

Toradze v. Georgia Amicus Brief

berdman — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 15:54:53 +0000

Toradze v. Georgia Amicus Brief berdman Fri, 02/05/2021 - 10:54

General Material

Published Date

October, 2018

Publisher(s)

Casa de Esperanza

Women in Federal Law Enforcement, Inc.

Futures Without Violence

In Toradze v. Georgia, a law enforcement officer used his position of power to perpetuate a domestic violence situation in the country of Georgia. The Amicus Brief urged the European Court to consider, in the context provided by the case of Toradze v. Georgia, important principles that have been developed by international, regional, and national authorities on policing and human rights, and to apply a heightened responsibility standard in cases of officer-perpetrated gender based violence.

Associated Links

Toradze v. Georgia Amicus Brief

Material Categories

Civil Legal Rights & Protections

Domestic Violence

Offenders / Perpetrators

Gender Bias in Sexual Assault Response and Investigation

berdman — Fri, 05 Apr 2019 19:07:28 +0000

Gender Bias in Sexual Assault Response and Investigation berdman Fri, 04/05/2019 - 15:07

General Material

Published Date

November, 2017

Publisher(s)

Gender Bias in Sexual Assault Response and Investigation

Author(s)

Heather Huhtanen

This 4-part bulletin series explores gender bias, both explicit and implicit, and the resulting stereotypes and attitudes that can influence the professional response to, and investigation of, sexual assault. The topics of each bulletin include:

Part 1: Introduces the concept of implicit bias and briefly reviews the decades of neurobiological and social scientific research that documents its existence and impact.
Part 2: Examines the relationship between gender bias and victim selection at the time of the assault, as well as victim blaming afterward.
Part 3: Explores the relationship between bias and the designation of false reports in cases of sexual assault and rape.
Part 4: Explores the relationship between gender bias and victim recantations in cases of sexual assault.

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Material Categories

Gender

Start by Believing to Improve Responses to Sexual Assault and Prevent Gender Bias

berdman — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 13:08:16 +0000

Start by Believing to Improve Responses to Sexual Assault and Prevent Gender Bias berdman Mon, 04/08/2019 - 09:08

General Material

Published Date

August, 2017

Publisher(s)

Start by Believing to Improve Responses to Sexual Assault and Prevent Gender Bi…

Author(s)

Herb Tanner

This training bulletin delves into the challenges that have been raised with the Start by Believing campaign, and the underlying philosophy of victim-centered approaches. In particular, this document addresses defense cross-examination aimed at exposing the law enforcement investigation of a sexual assault as biased.

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Material Categories

Civil Legal Rights & Protections

Gender

Advocates and Law Enforcement: Oil and Water?

berdman — Fri, 05 Feb 2021 13:48:19 +0000

Advocates and Law Enforcement: Oil and Water? berdman Fri, 02/05/2021 - 08:48

General Material

Published Date

March, 2017

Publisher(s)

Advocates and Law Enforcement: Oil and Water?

Author(s)

Kimberly A. Lonsway

Joanne Archambault

This article consists of three parts on sexual violence. Specifically, the article includes a historical perspective on the role of victim advocates within the criminal justice system, highlights reluctancy advocates might experience when assisting victims, and provides tools for how advocates can work with law enforcement officials who might not believe the victim or feel like the facts “don’t add up.” The article provides helpful advice to law enforcement and victim advocates

Associated Links

Material Categories

Trauma Informed Approach

Domestic Violence