You are a Victim’s Advocate for persons who have been sexually assaulted.  You have been 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 police were in charge, that the victim needed to cooperate if he or she were to be believed, and wanted anything done about the reported crime.

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

Resource: Post Interview Survey Safe Passage © 2003 43 Center Street, Suite G • Northampton , MA 01060-3004 • www.safepass.org

Focus your discussion on the following:

• Provide an explanation of why it is important to establish and build a rapport with victims before beginning the interview.
• Prepare a list of the most important factors that police officers should include in their victim interview strategy for 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.