The Effectiveness of a Trauma Informed Training Program and Structured Interview in Adult Sexual Assault Cases

• In Event: Human Trafficking Practice and Research: Lessons from Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

Abstract

This presentation reports on the findings from a one-year study on the impact of a trauma informed sexual assault (SA) response training in adult SA cases with a specified law enforcement (LE) agency. In addition to the training, LE officers were trained on interviewing victims with a standardized format, the Trauma Informed Victim Interview (TIVI). LE officers completed surveys at the beginning and end of the study years regarding their perceptions of SA cases and perceived abilities to successfully investigate these cases. Victims completed surveys following their TIVI. Positive feedback from both surveys was obtained. To quantitatively measure the effectiveness of the training and use of the TIVI, the following criminal justice system processing outcomes were measured and reported in percentages: SA kits submitted to crime lab for analysis, SA cases screened with prosecutors, screened SA cases with charges filed, and SA cases successfully prosecuted (plea or guilty conviction). Although only 44 out of 64 study cases have been adjudicated, the results are as followed compared to pre-study results: SA kit submission (97% vs. 22%), SA cases screened with prosecutors (70% vs. 33%), screened SA cases with charges filed (45% vs. 25%), and SA cases successfully prosecuted (25% vs. 6%).

Author

• Julie Valentine, Brigham Young University College of Nursing