Description:

Even with increased training and awareness, many professionals still struggle with interviewing sexual assault victims in a way that balances investigative goals with a trauma-informed approach. Whether you’re a law enforcement officer, healthcare provider, advocate, or part of a multidisciplinary team, conducting an effective interview is critical, and often challenging. This practical, strategy-driven session moves beyond theory and offers tools you can apply immediately. Participants will explore why sexual assault victim interviews often go wrong and how trauma affects memory and communication. They will also learn how to build trust, avoid common missteps, and gather more accurate case information. With a focus on techniques that work in any setting (urban, rural, or suburban), this session is grounded in real-world experience and designed to improve outcomes for both victims and investigations.

Presenter: 

Learning Objectives:

  • Participants will be able to describe the practical, real-world benefits of strong collaboration between Multidisciplinary Teams (MDTs) and Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs).
  • Participants will identify at least three strategies for increasing law enforcement involvement and buy-in, even when facing barriers such as competing priorities or resource limitations.
  • Participants will analyze examples of successful MDT/SART models and determine which promising practices can be adapted to support sustainable, long-term partnerships in their own communities.
  • Participants will evaluate how communication styles, leadership dynamics, and team culture influence collaboration, decision-making, and victim-centered outcomes.
  • Participants will be able to apply practical methods to recruit new members, re-engage inactive partners, and retain active, committed MDT/SART members who contribute meaningfully to team goals.

Approved for 1.5 hours of VSP credit.

This project was supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-25-GG-11292-MUMU awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this program those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Justice.

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