The Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) is pleased to host a one-day intensive training entitled “Responding to Sexual Assault: A Trauma Informed Approach to Sexual Assault Investigations.” This course will provide an overview of the current statistics and environment of the criminal justice system’s response to sexual assault. It will also discuss the various challenges faced in improving the response to sexual violence in the criminal justice system, including rape culture, rape myths, false reporting and barriers in the court system. In addition, this course will introduce the science behind trauma’s impact on our brain, the parts of the brain that are impacted when someone experiences trauma, and examine how trauma impacts a victim’s emotions, behaviors and memory. Participants will receive information and strategies for conducting trauma informed interviews, conducting investigations, and discuss some of the unique challenges addressing alcohol facilitated sexual assault.
Navigating the Landscape of Sexual Assault
Trauma and the Brain
Trauma Informed Interviewing
Empathy-Based Interrogation
Sexual Assault Investigation and Corroboration
Alcohol Facilitated Sexual Assaults
Unique Challenges of Campus Sexual Assault
This one-day intensive training class is designed for Campus police and security personnel, municipal law enforcement, student conduct professionals, Title IX coordinators and investigators, counseling and women’s center professionals, prosecutors, mental health professionals, victim advocates, and others working with people impacted by sexual assault.
Partial In-service Credit for law enforcement and security officers is available.
Transportation, lodging, and meals are the responsibility of the participant.
Registration begins at 8:00 a.m.
Training begins at 8:30 a.m. and concludes at 4:30 p.m.
Cost and Registration
There is no fee for this training. Pre-registration is required.
Please note that the DCJS registration system does not have the capacity to sort eligible from ineligible registrants. Therefore, anyone who registers will receive a confirmation. It is the responsibility of the DCJS assigned course director to review the roster and make a final determination on acceptance into the course. Registrants not accepted will be notified via the email address provided during registration.
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.
PLEASE NOTE: DCJS is preparing and planning to continue holding training sessions and conferences after a resumption of normal activities. Every effort will be made to hold this scheduled training, however, due to the uncertainty of the progression of the COVID-19, this training may require rescheduling. You will be notified by email if this training is rescheduled. We appreciate your flexibility and understanding.
Marc Dawkins, Campus Safety Manager804.380.9709 Email Marc