300 Words

You are a Victim’s Advocate for persons who have been sexually assaulted.  You have been very effective in recent past cases where police were unable to obtain significant information from victims of sexual assault.  When you provided advocacy service to these victims you discovered that police interviews were done in a manner that indicated they (police) were in charge and that the victim needed to cooperate if he or she was to be believed and wanted anything done about the reported crime.

The Chief of Major Crimes has noted that you have been successful in providing information obtained from the victims that were unsuccessfully interviewed by the detectives in the respective investigations.

The Chief of Major Crimes wants you to explain why the police interviews of the victims are not successful and what the major crimes detectives can do to increase their effectiveness in interviewing the victims.  

Focus your discussion on the following:

• Prepare a list of the most important factors that police officers should include in their victim interview strategy of those who are reporting they have been sexually assaulted.  
• Explain why it is important to modify the interview based on the factors that you listed.