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The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has invested in research on violence against women, and their research touches on a wide variety of public safety concerns, including intimate partner violence, teen dating violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, as well as criminal justice challenges, including the availability of legal and victim support services, the effectiveness of prevention… (read more)

This study examines the prevalence, nature, and reporting of various types of sexual assault experienced by university students in an effort to inform the development of targeted intervention strategies.

In 2011, after a competitive selection process, NIJ awarded grants to the Wayne County (Detroit), Michigan Prosecutor's Office and to the Houston Police Department to look at the issue of sexual assault kits (SAKs) that had not previously been sent to a crime laboratory for DNA testing. The overarching goal of this project was to identify effective, sustainable responses regarding previously… (read more)

The DHS Council on Combating Violence Against Women released this comprehensive resource guide that provides summaries and links to programs, initiatives, training materials, and services that can be leveraged by campuses and communities across the country to combat these types of heinous crimes. This resource guide includes an overview of immigration relief and support services for victims,… (read more)

The Department of Education (ED) is withdrawing the Dear Colleague Letter on Sexual Violence dated April 4, 2011, and the Questions and Answers on Title IX and Sexual Violence dated April 29, 2014. This interim Q&A for schools provides information on how to investigate and adjudicate allegations of campus sexual misconduct under federal law. The updated document:

• … (read more)

The Department of Education (ED) is withdrawing the Dear Colleague Letter on Sexual Violence dated April 4, 2011, and the Questions and Answers on Title IX and Sexual Violence dated April 29, 2014. This interim Q&A for schools provides information on how to investigate and adjudicate allegations of campus sexual misconduct under federal law. The updated document:

• … (read more)

The Department of Education (ED) is withdrawing the Dear Colleague Letter on Sexual Violence dated April 4, 2011, and the Questions and Answers on Title IX and Sexual Violence dated April 29, 2014. This interim Q&A for schools provides information on how to investigate and adjudicate allegations of campus sexual misconduct under federal law. The updated document:

• … (read more)

The Department of Education (ED) withdrew the Dear Colleague Letter on Sexual Violence dated April 4, 2011, and the Questions and Answers on Title IX Sexual Violence dated April 29, 2014. This letter provides details on why the previous documents were withdrawn. ED refers you to the Q&A on Campus Sexual Misconduct(PDF),… (read more)

The Department of Education (ED) withdrew the Dear Colleague Letter on Sexual Violence dated April 4, 2011, and the Questions and Answers on Title IX Sexual Violence dated April 29, 2014. This letter provides details on why the previous documents were withdrawn. ED refers you to the Q&A on Campus Sexual Misconduct(PDF),… (read more)

This resource guide includes an overview of the scope of Title IX, a discussion about Title IX's administrative requirements, as well as a discussion of other key Title IX issues and references to federal resources. The discussion of each Title IX issue includes recommended best practices for the Title IX coordinator to help your institution meet its obligations under Title IX. The resource guide… (read more)

This resource guide includes an overview of the scope of Title IX, a discussion about Title IX's administrative requirements, as well as a discussion of other key Title IX issues and references to federal resources. The discussion of each Title IX issue includes recommended best practices for the Title IX coordinator to help your institution meet its obligations under Title IX. The resource guide… (read more)

This letter is directed to Title IX coordinators and provides more information about the responsibilities of this role. This letter accompanies the ""Dear Colleague Letter on Title IX Coordinators"" to college or university presidents that reminds all educational institutions receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department of Education that they must designate at least one employee to… (read more)

This letter is directed to Title IX coordinators and provides more information about the responsibilities of this role. This letter accompanies the ""Dear Colleague Letter on Title IX Coordinators"" to college or university presidents that reminds all educational institutions receiving Federal financial assistance from the Department of Education that they must designate at least one employee to… (read more)

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has previously issued guidance documents that include discussions of the responsibilities of a Title IX coordinator, and those documents remain in full force. This 2015 letter incorporates that existing OCR guidance on Title IX coordinators and provides additional clarification and recommendations as appropriate. This letter… (read more)

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has previously issued guidance documents that include discussions of the responsibilities of a Title IX coordinator, and those documents remain in full force. This 2015 letter incorporates that existing OCR guidance on Title IX coordinators and provides additional clarification and recommendations as appropriate. This letter… (read more)

Pact5 is a grassroots movement that began in the documentary production classes of five universities. Dedicated to stopping rape and sexual violence in colleges, Pact5 believes that short documentaries produced by students can create powerful stories that can change potentially tragic behavior patterns. Pact5 believes that students are the ones who can make a difference in the minds of other… (read more)

This training video was designed so that it can be used in a brief in-service training or two short training sessions as part of roll call or shift change briefings at your agency. The training provides an overview of how trauma impacts victims and how law enforcement first responders can implement a trauma informed response and approach to sexual assault survivors. The training video features Dr… (read more)

The primary goal of this research study was to obtain high-quality information on SARTs' operations and effectiveness in the real world, to inform efforts to support SARTs and promote their effectiveness. This report is designed specifically for non-research audiences. Research jargon is avoided as much as possible and the report provides an easy to use table to navigate to various parts of the… (read more)

This guidance from the Department of Justice (DOJ) is designed to help law enforcement agencies prevent gender bias in their response to sexual assault and domestic violence, highlighting the need for clear policies, robust training and responsive accountability systems. This document is intended to reflect and further DOJ's partnership with the police leaders, line officers and detectives who… (read more)

Recently, questions have arisen from school districts, colleges and universities, and others about transgender students and how to best ensure these students, and non-transgender students, can all enjoy a safe and discrimination-free environment. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and its implementing regulations prohibit sex discrimination in educational programs and… (read more)

Recently, questions have arisen from school districts, colleges and universities, and others about transgender students and how to best ensure these students, and non-transgender students, can all enjoy a safe and discrimination-free environment. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and its implementing regulations prohibit sex discrimination in educational programs and… (read more)

The Neurobiology of Sexual Assault: Implications for First Responders in Law Enforcement, Prosecution and Victim Advocacy is part of the National Institute of Justice's translational criminology seminar series and features Dr. Rebecca Campbell of Michigan State University. Dr. Campbell discusses the research on the neurobiology of trauma and the criminal justice system response to sexual assault… (read more)

This webinar addresses the often overlooked link between stalking and sexual assault. Stalking is a crime that is often co-perpetrated with other crimes, such as domestic violence and sexual assault. Research supports a connection between stalking and sexual assault both pre- and post-assault. This webinar explores the nature and dynamics of stalking, focusing on its intersection with sexual… (read more)

There is currently a very welcome national trend across the country emphasizing alternative reporting methods for sexual assault victims. It is partly the result of provisions in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that were first enacted in 2005 and remain in effect under the current 2013 re-authorization. This is an area known as forensic compliance, and it is critically important to… (read more)

This document was created to provide law enforcement guidance when developing policies and procedures for the retention, disposition, and/or removal of evidence. While law enforcement agencies typically have appropriate policies and procedures for evidence in general, most do not specifically address the types of evidence often found in a sexual assault case. This document also addresses evidence… (read more)

When people experience trauma, they go through a process that many professionals - as well as the individuals themselves - do not understand. For example, most of us were trained to believe that when an individual experiences a traumatic event, the brain records the majority of the details investigators need, or want to know, about the event: Who, What, Where, Why, When and How? Unfortunately,… (read more)

When people experience trauma, they go through a process that many professionals - as well as the individuals themselves - do not understand. For example, most of us were trained to believe that when an individual experiences a traumatic event, the brain records the majority of the details investigators need, or want to know, about the event: Who, What, Where, Why, When and How? Unfortunately,… (read more)

The OLTI provides free, state-of-the art training to anyone who is interested, on the topic of criminal justice response to sexual assault. The OLTI offers the opportunity for interested professionals to expand their knowledge of cutting edge developments in the criminal justice and community response to sexual assault, with particular emphasis on those crimes committed by someone who is known to… (read more)

This is the third training bulletin in a series on alternative reporting methods. This installment continues to introduce key concepts and components with a focus on third party reporting procedures for victims.

This is the third training bulletin in a series on alternative reporting methods. This installment continues to introduce key concepts and components with a focus on third party reporting procedures for victims.

This is the second installment in a series exploring alternative reporting methods. The previous installment provided an overview of alternative reporting. This bulletin continues to introduce key concepts and components with a focus on non-investigative reporting.

This is the second installment in a series exploring alternative reporting methods. The previous installment provided an overview of alternative reporting. This bulletin continues to introduce key concepts and components with a focus on non-investigative reporting.

This training bulletin is the seventh in a series designed to explore alternative reporting methods. Previous bulletins have provided an introduction to the essential concepts and explored some key components for implementation. This installment discusses the issue of evidence storage and retention. EVAWI staff are frequently asked questions about this topic and begin by discussing how long… (read more)

This training bulletin is the seventh in a series designed to explore alternative reporting methods. Previous bulletins have provided an introduction to the essential concepts and explored some key components for implementation. This installment discusses the issue of evidence storage and retention. EVAWI staff are frequently asked questions about this topic and begin by discussing how long… (read more)

This training bulletin is the first in a series designed to explore the key issues related to VAWA forensic compliance and alternative reporting methods for sexual assault victims.  The first installment will begin by introducing the key terms and concepts associated with alternative reporting methods and VAWA forensic compliance. Subsequent bulletins will highlight two communities that have… (read more)

This training bulletin is the first in a series designed to explore the key issues related to VAWA forensic compliance and alternative reporting methods for sexual assault victims.  The first installment will begin by introducing the key terms and concepts associated with alternative reporting methods and VAWA forensic compliance. Subsequent bulletins will highlight two communities that have… (read more)

This training bulletin is the fifth in a series designed to explore alternative reporting methods. The previous installment introduced the essential terms and concepts, as well as two communities that have successfully implemented alternative reporting methods. This bulletin begins to examine key components associated with implementation and highlights the importance of developing a… (read more)

This training bulletin is the fifth in a series designed to explore alternative reporting methods. The previous installment introduced the essential terms and concepts, as well as two communities that have successfully implemented alternative reporting methods. This bulletin begins to examine key components associated with implementation and highlights the importance of developing a… (read more)

This training bulletin is the eighth in a series designed to explore alternative reporting methods. Previous bulletins have provided an introduction to the essential terms, concepts and components of implementation and this bulletin will discuss what to do when a victim elects to convert to a standard reporting procedure.

This training bulletin is the eighth in a series designed to explore alternative reporting methods. Previous bulletins have provided an introduction to the essential terms, concepts and components of implementation and this bulletin will discuss what to do when a victim elects to convert to a standard reporting procedure.

This is the final training bulletin in a series exploring alternative reporting methods. This last installment concludes by providing additional recommendations for best practices when implementing such options in your community.

This is the final training bulletin in a series exploring alternative reporting methods. This last installment concludes by providing additional recommendations for best practices when implementing such options in your community.

This training bulletin is the ninth in a series designed to explore alternative reporting methods. The last two installments will explore a number of recommendations for best practice when implementing such options in your community.

This training bulletin is the ninth in a series designed to explore alternative reporting methods. The last two installments will explore a number of recommendations for best practice when implementing such options in your community.

This webinar reviews current forensic psycho-physiological knowledge and practices, comparing what we think we know with new and exciting research and ideas for what we could do. Using the forensic experiential trauma interview (FETI) approach, we can gather the best possible evidence by interviewing victims in ways that empower and calm them, so they are able to provide more accurate, coherent,… (read more)

EVAWI Executive Director Joanne Archambault and Board President Roger Canaff discuss victim interviewing. The single most important factor in determining the success of the victim interview is the attitude of respect and professionalism conveyed by the law enforcement professional. Therefore, it is critical for law enforcement to establish rapport and respectful communication in order to conduct… (read more)

Victims of sexual assault will often undergo sexual assault medical forensic examinations (SAMFEs) following an assault and may also receive other medical treatment for physical and emotional injuries suffered. The majority of jurisdictions provide for partial or complete payment of a victim's health care costs in such cases. Many professionals have questions about the laws in their own state or… (read more)

Victims of sexual assault will often undergo sexual assault medical forensic examinations (SAMFEs) following an assault and may also receive other medical treatment for physical and emotional injuries suffered. The majority of jurisdictions provide for partial or complete payment of a victim's health care costs in such cases. Many professionals have questions about the laws in their own state or… (read more)

Start by Believing is a public awareness campaign uniquely focused on the public response to sexual assault. Because a friend or family member is typically the first person a victim confides in after an assault, each individual's personal reaction is the first step in a long path toward justice and healing. Knowing how to respond is critical as a negative response can worsen the trauma and foster… (read more)

Sexual violence perpetrated against individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and queer (LGBTQ+) warrants the full attention of law enforcement agencies. It is imperative that law enforcement agencies strive to build strong relationships with leaders and members of LGBTQ+ communities and implement effective strategies department wide through agency mission,… (read more)