Trauma-Responsive Investigations and Sexual Assault Victim Interviews (TRI-SAVI) - Sept 20-23

Description of Training:

The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services is pleased to announce that registration is now open for Trauma-Responsive Investigations and Sexual Assault Victim Interviews (TRI-SAVI) training in Williamsburg, VA.

The interview with the victim-survivor may be the most critical component in an effective sexual assault investigation. It directs the investigator where to collect evidence, identifies witnesses and suspects to interview, and can generate corroborative evidence.  Traditional interview techniques, however, risk impeding successful communication. A trauma-informed approach to sexual assault investigations and victim interviews uses our understanding of how trauma impacts the brain, behavior and memory, maximizing the amount of accurate information gathered during the investigation and interview.

Trauma-Responsive Investigations and Sexual Assault Victim Interviews is an intensive four-day course in which investigators, prosecutors and victim advocates learn the necessary skills to provide a trauma-informed response to adult sexual assault victims, including criminal investigation strategies and victim interviews. This interactive course combines lectures, experiential skill-building exercises, and reading assignments.

Topics will include but are not limited to: 

• Addressing rape culture, myths and biases
• Trauma’s effect on behavior and memory
• Best practices in sexual assault investigations
• Common barriers to effective interviews 
• Using open narratives and sensory questions
• The importance and role of victim advocates in sexual assault investigations
• Establishing force, threat and intimidation
• Drug/alcohol-facilitated sexual assault
• Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) collaboration       
• Establishing psychological, emotional, and physical safety     
• Cultural considerations/Underserved populations

Trainers:

Judy Casteele, Project Horizon

Mike Milnor, Justice 3D

Nancy Oglesby, Justice 3D

Who Should Apply?

You must work in a job in which you investigate or prosecute sexual assault cases or provide advocacy services to adult victims of sexual assault in Virginia. These professionals are law enforcement investigators, prosecutors, system-based (victim/witness) advocates and community-based sexual assault victim advocates. Individuals can apply, but priority acceptance will be given to teams of one prosecutor, one law enforcement investigator, and one victim advocate.

Please note that completing an application does not mean you are registered for the course. The DCJS assigned course director will review the applications and notify applicants of the status of their applications. Any registrants not accepted will be notified via the email address provided in the registration system.

Because space is limited, it is important to notify the course director if you are unable to attend.  If you need to make any changes to your registration, please email Jennifer Kline at jennifer.kline@dcjs.virginia.gov.

Attendees will receive an email with information about location, parking, lodging options, training agenda, reading assignments and other information.

How to Apply:

1) During the open application period, click on the link to submit your application.  

2) If you are applying as a team, please select 'Team' in the appropriate section and list the names of other team members who will be applying.  EACH TEAM MEMBER MUST SUBMIT AN APPLICATION during the open application period. If you do not have a team who is able to attend this training, please select “Individual” and complete the application.  

3) You will receive an email notification of your application status on the date below. After you have confirmed that you will be attending, you will receive an email with information about directions and parking, lodging options, training agenda, reading assignments and other information.

Link to Application – Williamsburg: https://forms.gle/cBt9LN2ab6DFR2v68

2022 TRI-SAVI Trainings:

Requirements for course completion

You must commit to participating in every session. Anyone who misses a session or does not complete all course work will not be awarded a certificate of course completion.

Partial In-service Credit

Partial In-service Credit (PIC) will be available for Virginia law enforcement officers who successfully complete the course.

CLEs will be available for Virginia Commonwealth Attorneys who successfully complete the course.

Cost:  There is no cost to register. Participants are responsible for their transportation and lodging costs.

Lunch:    No

Dates & Locations: September 20 – 23, 2022

8:30 – 4:30
William & Mary
Williamsburg, VA

COVID-19 Notices

There will be health safety measures based on CDC guidelines that everyone must agree to in order to participate in this training, which may include wearing masks, distanced seating, and temperature checks. Details about health safety requirements for this training will be emailed to those who are accepted into the course.

Participants will be required to complete a Participant Screening and Waiver prior to attending the training. This will be emailed to registrants before the training and will also be available to complete at check-in on the day of the training.

Every effort will be made to hold this scheduled training, however, due to the uncertainty of the progression of COVID-19, this training may require rescheduling. You will be notified by email if this training is rescheduled. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding.

Other Information:

This is a paperless training. DCJS will provide a link to all training materials. If you would like hardcopies of your training materials, please make your own copies to bring to the training.

Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to attend, you may send another person from your program. If you need to cancel, please do so at least 14 days prior to the first day of the training, so that someone on the waiting list can take your space. If you do not notify the course director at least 14 days prior to the training, you may not be accepted into future trainings.

If you need to make any changes or if you have questions, please contact the Course Director (below):

Course Director:

Jennifer Kline
Department of Criminal Justice Service
Victims Services
(804) 225-3456
Jennifer.Kline@dcjs.virginia.gov