Law Enforcement Guidance Resource List

Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias in Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Resource List

In conjunction with the Improving Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence by Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias guidance, the Office on Violence Against Women has developed an annotated list of resources to assist law enforcement agencies working to implement the guidance and its core principles. The list of resources can be found below, and is separated both by organization and by the principle it is designed to address.

Resources by Organization

Clearance Methods for Sexual Assault Cases (updated July 2021)

This Online Training Institute training module is designed to provide information for those who make decisions regarding how to clear/close sexual assault cases (i.e., law enforcement officers, investigators, and supervisors) to help them identify and properly classify sexual assault cases under the criteria for clearance by arrest, exceptional clearance, and unfounded. The training also encourages law enforcement agencies to track the percentage of case dispositions from individual investigators and investigative units in order to identify any red flags (e.g., extremely high or extremely low number of cases in any one category), and includes concrete recommendations for implementing these practices. The course material is available here.
Principle 4, principle 8

Crime Scene Processing and Recovery of Physical Evidence from Sexual Assault Scenes (updated February 2021)

This Online Training Institute training module provides tools and information to law enforcement to ensure the proper crime scene processing procedures, identify major categories of evidence, and collect physical evidence in sexual assault cases. The course material is available here.
Principle 3

Effective Victim Interviewing: Helping Victims Retrieve and Disclose Memories of Sexual Assault (August 2021)

This Online Training Institute course provides an interactive opportunity for law enforcement to prepare to interview sexual assault survivors. The course requires participants to complete practical tasks involved in the initial response to a sexual assault report and any follow-up interviews to help victims retrieve and disclose memories of sexual assault. It also includes information on how to integrate victim advocacy services into the various stages of law enforcement responses to sexual assault and domestic violence. Finally, it addresses the impact of interviews on investigators themselves, and offers ways for law enforcement agencies to support investigators. The course material is available here.
Principle 2, principle 5

False Reports: Moving Beyond the Issues to Successfully Investigate and Prosecute Non-Stranger Sexual Assault (updated November 2020)

This Online Training Institute training module is designed to directly challenge the belief that many or most sexual assault reports to law enforcement are false by demonstrating that the “red flags” that commonly raise suspicion are often representative of the realistic dynamics of sexual assault crimes. Up-to-date research on false reports is presented, and the implications for effective criminal justice and community responses are discussed. The course material is available here.
Principle 4

From #MeToo to #RealChange: Enhancing Law Enforcement Response to Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault (2021)

This 90-minute online course describes the DOJ guidance on improving the law enforcement response to sexual assault and domestic violence, identifies resources to assist in implementing the DOJ guidance at the local level, and outlines strategies to collaborate with community partners to develop an effective law enforcement response to domestic violence and sexual assault, particularly with victims from marginalized communities. This course costs $49.
Principle 1, principle 5

Gender Bias in Sexual Assault Response and Investigation, Parts 1-4

This four-part training bulletin reviews the concept of gender bias (both explicit and implicit) and the resulting stereotypes/attitudes that can influence the law enforcement response and investigation of sexual assault. Each part of the training focuses on a different topic: 1) implicit bias; 2) victim blaming and selection; 3) false reports; and 4) victim recantations. Finally, the series concludes with recommendations for reducing the impact of gender bias in these cases.
Principle 1, principle 3, principle 4

How Do I know You’re Not Lying? Gender Bias and Sexual Assault Response (2019)

This webinar introduces the concept of implicit bias and addresses key questions about how gender bias can affect the victim or suspect in a sexual assault case. The presenters also describe the critical role gender bias plays in the designation of false reports in cases of sexual assault. Access to this 90-minute webinar costs $49.
Principle 1, principle 4

Model Policy Resource: Law Enforcement Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Accountability (updated June 2021)

This resource is designed to help law enforcement agencies work with agency personnel, community partners, and legal counsel to develop agency-specific policy on addressing sexual misconduct committed by law enforcement officers. The resource includes model language and is available in Word form, so that agencies can easily revise the document to reflect their own procedures. The document also lists numerous EVAWI and other training and technical assistance resources to aid law enforcement on sexual assault investigations and responses.
Principle 7

Preliminary Investigation: Guidelines for First Responders (updated July 2021)

This Online Training Institute training course is designed to provide officers and investigators with guidelines for responding to reports of sexual assault, assisting victims, collaborating with local service agencies, and conducting interviews with victims, witnesses, and suspects. This training is designed to be an all-inclusive resource that covers first response, investigation, and prosecution. The course material is available here.
Principle 2, principle 3

Reducing Gender Bias in Sexual Assault Response and Investigation – Part 1 & Part 2

This two-part webinar series explores the concept of gender bias (both explicit and implicit) and the resulting stereotypes/attitudes that can influence the law enforcement response and investigation of sexual assault. In Part 1, the presenters introduce the concept of implicit bias, and address key questions about how this can influence sexual assault dynamics and responses. Part 2 discusses how gender bias affects victim blaming, victim recantation, and the designation of false reports. Finally, the presenters issue recommendations for reducing the effect of gender bias in these cases. Each 60-minute webinar costs $49.
Principle 1, principle 4

Suggested Guidelines on Language for Sexual Assault (updated November 2022)

This short resource provides practical tips and recommendations for language use in referring to sexual assault crimes, describing sexual acts, referring to the victim and perpetrator, and more in order to avoid common phrases that can create confusion, perpetuate misinformation, and contribute to a culture of doubt and victim blame.
Principle 1, principle 2

Trauma-Informed Interviewing and the Criminal Sexual Assault Case: Where Investigative Technique Meets Evidentiary Value (December 2022)

This training bulletin provides law enforcement with tools for trauma-informed interviewing techniques, outlines the value of evidence produced from a trauma-informed interview with a sexual assault victim, and demonstrates how the resulting evidence should be used in a sexual assault investigation and prosecution.
Principle 2

Uncovering Sexual Assault in Domestic Violence Calls: An Improved Law Enforcement Response to Assess for Sexual Violence, Build an Evidence Based Case and Reduce Gender Bias (2018)

This online course explains in a practical way how law enforcement can properly identify intimate partner sexual violence in domestic violence situations. The course provides participants with materials that can be used to sensitively assess for sexual violence and build an evidence-based case through investigation and prosecution. This 90-minute course costs $49.
Principle 3

When to Conduct an Exam or Interview: Why are We Prodding Victims to Keep them Awake?

This short training document outlines overarching principles and general steps to help law enforcement, healthcare providers, and advocates determine the best time to conduct a forensic exam as well as interview a victim of sexual assault following victimization. The resource details steps for professionals to follow, lists examples of questions, and identifies best practices to keep victims engaged in the various processes.
Principle 2

Agency Self-Assessment and Community Assessment: Approaches to Domestic & Sexual Violence (2020)

The agency self-assessment tool is designed to assist law enforcement agencies in comprehensively evaluating current policies and practices in the response to gender-based violence in their communities in order to build stronger responses to domestic and sexual violence. It includes step-by-step instructions for conducting an agency self-assessment and a community assessment, which contains sections on departmental policies and practices, hiring and promotion practices, training, data collection and analysis, culture and accountability, and collaboration. In addition, the resource includes an “Action Planning Guide,” which walks through the steps of creating a plan to enhance responses to gender-based violence crimes. The combined resources are available here.
Principle 3, principle 5, principle 7, principle 8

Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias

After DOJ’s guidance was released in 2015, IACP developed resources for law enforcement agencies to identify gender bias within their agencies and enhance their responses to gender-based violence. Part of this effort included the development of short tip sheets for law enforcement officials on the following topics:
Principle 1, principle 3, principle 7

Intimate Partner Violence Response Policy and Training Content Guidelines (2018)

This resource provides background material, supporting details, and suggested investigative procedures for intimate partner violence in order to support the development of comprehensive training content and policy for law enforcement agencies.
Principle 1, principle 3

Law Enforcement Response to Domestic and Sexual Violence and COVID-19

In spring 2020, IACP hosted a virtual roundtable on COVID-19 and the law enforcement response to domestic and sexual violence. The link above contains resources from various domestic violence and sexual assault organizations to assist in the law enforcement response to gender-based violence in the face of the pandemic.
Principle 3

Model Policy: Domestic Violence (April 2019)

This model policy provides guidance regarding the establishment of priorities, guidelines, and procedures for law enforcement officers in response to domestic violence calls.
Principle 3, principle 7

Predominant Aggressor Determination Webinar (June 2020)

This webinar, facilitated by two law enforcement officials, discusses the importance of determining the predominant aggressor when responding to domestic violence calls and provides practical tips and best practices.
Principle 6

Report Review Checklists

IACP designed several checklists as a practical tool to assist supervisors overseeing law enforcement officers in ensuring that reports capture significant and comprehensive details of the crimes that occurred. There are five distinct checklists available on responding to the following crimes: domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, protective order violations, and strangulation.
Principle 3

Responding to Sexual Violence in LGBTQ+ Communities: Law Enforcement Strategies and Considerations (2017)

This resource highlights strategies for implementing effective department-wide response practices for LGBTQ survivors through agency mission, policy, training, and personnel to proactively address sexual violence in LGBTQ+ communities. Included in the resource is an agency assessment questionnaire to assist leaders in examining their operations and agency efforts.
Principle 1, principle 2

Sexual Assault Incident Reports: Investigative Strategies (2018)

Based on national best practices regarding sexual assault incident investigations, this resource provides guidelines and recommendations to support officers and departments in preparing sexual assault cases for successful prosecution through detailed case documentation and thorough investigations. The resource provides guidelines for case coding and clearing practices, report writing, victim interviews, suspect interrogations, and investigations. A portable “pocket tip card” accompanies this resource. Finally, an accompanying training series covers the following three topics: 1) realities of sexual assault; 2) effectively preparing cases; and 3) working the case: techniques and collaboration.
Principle 3, principle 4

Sexual Assault Response Policy and Training Content Guidelines (2017)

This resource is designed to support law enforcement agencies with the development of comprehensive sexual assault policies. The extensive document includes policy recommendations that address various levels of law enforcement response from dispatch to supervisors, suggestions for collaborating with community partners, and procedures for the implementation of a new/updated sexual assault policy.
Principle 3, principle 7

Successful Trauma-Informed Victim Interviewing (June 2020)

This document demonstrates how trauma-informed interview techniques can be used to reframe interview questions that may be perceived by a victim as blaming them for their actions in a manner that helps victims retrieve memories from a traumatic event and assists law enforcement in gathering more information.
Principle 2

The Impact of Trauma: A Trauma-Informed Lens and Response Webinar

This webinar discusses how traumatic experiences can impact victim memory, reactions, and behavior. It describes the implications for first responders’ and investigators’ interviews and investigations in sexual assault cases.
Principle 2

Training Program on Enhancing Rural Law Enforcement Response to Violence Against Women

Recognizing the unique challenges that rural law enforcement officials face, this training program provides resources, webinars, and other tools to assist law enforcement responding to domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and strangulation in rural areas as they often face limited personnel, resources, and community services.
Principle 1

Executive Guidebook: Practical Approaches for Strengthening Law Enforcement’s Response to Sexual Assault (2018)

Working in collaboration with four law enforcement agencies and an advisory team, this guidebook contains recommendations for how police departments can improve their response to sexual assault. It presents recommendations for agency policies and procedures, accountability mechanisms, training, collaboration, report writing and file maintenance, crime coding, and case management. Each section includes promising practices that are informed by research and the experience of practitioners including police, prosecutors, and advocates.
Principle 1, principle 2, principle 3, principle 4, principle 5

Model Response to Sexual Violence for Prosecutors (RSVP) Volume I: An Invitation to Lead

As part of the Sexual Assault Justice Initiative, AEquitas developed this model approach to prosecuting sexual assault and corresponding measures to evaluate current practices. Volume I has two parts; the first part (geared toward chief prosecutors, unit chiefs, and others responsible for creating and implementing policies affecting prosecution practices) provides information and tools to assess current prosecution practices and identify areas for improvement. The second part is intended for prosecutors handling cases of sexual violence at any level within an office and includes strategies and tools to achieve positive case outcomes at all stages of prosecution, from initial case review through final disposition and sentencing.
Principle 3, principle 4

Model Response to Sexual Violence for Prosecutors (RSVP) Volume II: Measuring the Impact

As part of the Sexual Assault Justice Initiative, AEquitas developed this model approach to prosecuting sexual assault and corresponding measures to evaluate current practices. Volume II provides information on how prosecutors can create and implement a performance management system to track, measure, and improve the response to sexual violence.
Principle 8

Model Response to Sexual Violence for Prosecutors (RSVP): Appendices

This resource contains several practical tools to assist prosecutors in the implementation of the RSVP model as well as guidance to help improve the prosecution of sexual violence cases. The resources include a sample case review protocol, a sample case data tracking sheet, a sample case review timeline, and more.
Principle 3, principle 8

The Model Response to Sexual Violence for Prosecutors

This short video provides a brief overview of the RSVP model for prosecuting sexual assault and introduces the corresponding measures to improve criminal responses to sexual violence.
Principle 8

Investigating Strangulation

This online training video is designed for law enforcement officials to help them recognize the signs and symptoms of strangulation (especially in responding to domestic violence calls), apply appropriate victim interview questions, and implement actions to help a strangulation victim.
Principle 3

Firearm Checklist for Law Enforcement

This practical checklist tool includes considerations for the seizure of firearms for law enforcement officials in their response to misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence and protection order enforcement.
Principle 3, principle 4

Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence: A Law Enforcement’s Guide to Enforcing Protection Orders Nationwide

This resource defines terms such as protection orders and full faith and credit as well as lays out actions for law enforcement to enforce protection orders in their states and jurisdictions and across state lines.
Principle 3

National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits: A Multidisciplinary Approach (2017)

Mandated by the SAFER Act of 2013, this guide contains 35 recommendations for collecting evidence during a medical forensic exam of a sexual assault patient, investigating sexual assault, storing, maintaining, tracking, and processing evidence, as well as maintaining communication with victims.
Principle 3, principle 5

BJA’s National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Training and Technical Assistance (SAKI TTA) Program provides online resources, webinars, and virtual courses to support the response to sexual assault incidence. There are numerous law enforcement-specific resources at the link above.

Case Connectivity Using DNA: How Testing Sexual Assault Kits Can Link Criminal Cases

This resource explains the utility of case connectivity (the process of linking crimes committed by the same perpetrator) to law enforcement and prosecutors in the context of sexual assault, reviews how DNA profiles obtained from evidence in a sexual assault kit can be used to establish case connectivity, and provides step-by-step directions about how DNA testing information can establish case connectivity. An accompanying webinar on this topic can be found here.
Principle 3

Foundations for Investigation: Cold Case Sexual Assault Part 1 & Part 2

This two-part webinar series focuses on the fundamentals and basic standards of investigating cold case sexual assaults. The webinars provide information to benefit novice investigators, supervisors, and those with extensive cold case sex crimes experience and ensure thorough investigations.
Principle 3

SAKI Toolkit: Interviewing Skills

This toolkit contains videos and other resources to assist investigators in employing trauma-informed victim interview strategies.
Principle 2

SAKI Toolkit: Sexual Assault Investigators

This toolkit offers a comprehensive set of resources (i.e., fact sheets, videos, etc.) for investigators to learn about the dynamics of sexual assault crimes, how to investigate cold cases, effective ways of working with victims, best practices for victim notification, investigative approaches, and more.
Principle 2, principle 3

SAKI Toolkit: Sexual Assault Prosecutors

This toolkit for prosecutors explores their role in a community response to sexual assault, offering strategies for successful prosecution, guidance for overcoming common defenses, and navigating the complexities of cold cases and reengaging cold case victims.
Principle 3

Unfounded Sexual Assaults: Recommended Processes for Investigations and Clearance Reporting

This resource outlines recommended procedures and standards for conducting a thorough investigation prior to determining that a sexual assault complaint may be false and instead ensuring the accurate clearance designation.
Principle 4

Addressing Cultural Differences to Support Victims of Gender-based Violence (May 2021)

This OVW podcast episode discusses how cultural differences can drive misconceptions/stereotypes and create obstacles for victims of crime, and also provides recommendations – useful for law enforcement officials – on how to support a victim from a trauma-informed perspective by understanding the community and culture that inform the context of the crime.
Principle 1

The National Prevention Toolkit on Officer-Involved Domestic Violence

This Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)-funded toolkit provides training materials and other resources to educate officers about the dynamics of officer-involved domestic violence. In addition, it includes an extensive database containing law enforcement policies from state and local police departments, specifically on the issue of offer-involved domestic violence. Search by state here: https://nationaltoolkit.csw.fsu.edu/resources/policies/.
Principle 7

National Domestic Violence Prosecution: Best Practices Guide (updated June 2020)

This resource highlights strategies for domestic violence prosecution. The recommendations cover all stages of prosecution, from preliminary hearings to trial, and include information and best practices for responding to domestic violence survivors from varying cultural and racial backgrounds.
Principle 1, principle 3

Determining Predominate Aggressor and Self-Defense

Presented in collaboration with IACP, this series of six training videos provides practical tools to law enforcement responding to domestic violence calls in order to determine if self-defense if present, who acted as the predominate aggressor, and who should be arrested.
Principle 6

Identifying and Preventing Gender and Intersectional Bias in Law Enforcement Responses to Domestic and Sexual Violence (January 2022)