First Responder Guide to Sexual Assault Investigations Adapted from a presentation by the Law Enforcement Workgroup of the Midcoast Maine SART. The following departments participate in the workgroup: Bath PD, Brunswick PD, Topsham PD, Waldoboro PD, Wiscasset PD, Sagadahoc County SO, Lincoln County SO, Cumberland County SO, Maine State Police, & Sexual Assault Support Services of Midcoast Maine Basic Law Enforcement Training Program Presented by the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault

Performance Objectives Identify myths and facts in reference to sexual offenses Identify crucial evidence of the offense and evidence collection procedures Identify the need for ensuring the victim’s dignity throughout the investigation Identify resources available to assist the victim of a sexual offense. 2

Performance Objectives, cont Identify guidelines to follow when interviewing a sex offense victim Identify guidelines for law enforcement personnel first upon the scene Identify underlying dynamics of credibility issues in sexual offenses and the potential harm of misjudging victim credibility in sexual offenses. 3

“I’ve changed. I used to be a happy kind of person. I used to be outgoing. I was the person everybody else came to for help. I liked my life. Now, I don’t go out. I avoid people. I only do what I have to and sometimes I can’t even do that. I don’t know who I am anymore.” - sexual assault survivor 4

Myths and Facts about Sexual Assault Which is true? 5

“By the time I realized he wasn’t going to listen to me, it was too late, I froze and just prayed for it to be over.” - sexual assault survivor 6

A note on credibility Suspicion about the validity of reports may be raised by certain red flags… 7

…but in truth these “red flags” describe very real dynamics in REAL sexual assaults Prematurely judging the validity of a report may have detrimental consequences 8

“I felt like it was my fault. I drank too much. I let him drive me home. How could I have been so stupid?” - sexual assault survivor 9

Legal Definitions Maine Criminal Statutes: Title 17-A, secs , include: Gross sexual assault Unlawful sexual contact Unlawful sexual touching Sexual abuse of minors Visual sexual aggression against a child, sexual misconduct with a child, solicitation of child by computer, etc. 10

First Responder Guidelines 1. Follow procedures outlined by your department 2. Additional Resource: Law Enforcement First Response Guidelines for Adult and Adolescent Sexual Assault 11

“I felt as if my whole world had been kicked out from under me and I had been left to drift all alone in the darkness.” - sexual assault survivor 12

Step 1: Attend to the Victim What are your first steps at the call? 13

Step 2: Notify Supervisor and District Attorney’s Office When? 14

Step 3: Secure the Crime Scene How many crime scenes are involved? 15

Step 4: Gather Information How much information do you want to gather from Katherine? 16

“I feel angry all the time or else I’m crying my eyes out. People were supportive at first, now they are kind of like, when are you going to get over this?” - sexual assault survivor 17

Step 5: At the Hospital What is the officer’s role at the hospital? 18

The Adult Forensic Kit 19

Step 6: Evidence Collection What evidence needs to be collected in this case? 20

Don’t Forget the Suspect What about Erik? 21

Step 7: Evidence Storage What do you do with the evidence? 22

Child Sexual Abuse Mandate to report suspected child abuse to DHHS Central Intake, 24-hours:

Additional Considerations Diverse populations create diverse barriers for survivors 24

Thank you! For more information: Statewide Sexual Assault Crisis and Support Line: TTY: Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault 83 Western Ave. Suite 2, Augusta, ME Phone: Fax: Web: 25