A Trauma Informed Victim Centered Approach to Sexual Assault Investigations
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Date
2019
Authors
Allen, James D. II
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT)
Abstract
Description
For a variety of reasons, sexual assault is severely under reported, which makes
investigating the crimes very difficult. More difficult still is the fact that victims are falling
through gaps and missing services that could be lifesaving. Improving the police
response, victim satisfaction, gaps in services, police legitimacy, and increase reporting
of sexual assault can be obtained through a system change and implementing the
trauma-informed victim centered approach to sexual assault investigations. This means
understanding how trauma affects victims and ensuring the victim’s needs are met. It
further requires that victims be informed of their rights, services, and the criminal justice
process.
Keywords
Rape Investigation, Victims of crime--services for.