June 15, 2017

Gender Bias and Law Enforcement Response

Those of us who work with individuals who experience gender violence (sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking) are affected by our culture, which contains explicit and implicit biases. These biases affect our ability to respond to individuals who experience gender violence and show up in assumptions such as believing an individual who experiences violence should look or behave in a certain way. Or the belief that the harm from a sexual assault is lessened if the offense is committed by an acquaintance or if a victim is intoxicated. The intersection of racial and gender stereotypes and biases can pose unique difficulties for women and LGBT individuals of color who seek services.

The article “Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias in Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence”, produced by the Department of Justice (DOJ) begins to examine the compelling research that suggests that implicit bases are pervasive and that people are often unaware of how these biases can predict their behavior. Certain aspects of law enforcement response appear to be particularly susceptible to bias. As such, DOJ urges the consideration and integration of the following principles:

1. Recognize and Address Biases, Assumptions and Stereotypes about Victims. Judgments should not be made as to the credibility of a victim’s account. Agencies should review and revise their policies and procedures as necessary and provide training on gathering information in an unbiased manner. Factors such as delayed reporting, the individual’s history, the individual’s emotional state, use or abuse of alcohol or drugs, an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identify should not impact the consideration of the complaint.
2. Treat All Victims with Respect & Employ Interviewing Tactics that Encourage a Victim to Participate and Provide Facts About the Incident. Individuals who are treated with respect are more likely to continue to participate in the investigation. Determining how and when difficult questions are asked increased the quality and quantity of information law enforcement receives from individuals who experience gender violence. Neutral open-ended questions elicit a narrative of what happened and can lessen the perception of blame. The trauma-informed approach helps establish trust and encourage candor.
3. Investigate Complaints Thoroughly and Effectively. Clear policies and training should address: collecting and preserving all relevant and corroborative evidence, ensuring forensic medical exams are completed and analyzed in a timely manner, identifying and documenting injuries and all psychological and sensory evidence and interviewing all possible witnesses.
4. Appropriately Classify Reports of Sexual Assault or Domestic Violence. The determination that a complaint is unsubstantiated should only be made after a thorough and full investigation, not presumptively at the classification stage. All complaints should be investigated thoroughly, regardless of any of the following: if the individual has gaps in memory, if there are potential conflicts in the individual’s statements, the individuals expresses self-blame, the individual is emotionally distraught or unable to fully discuss the incident or the individual was under the influence at the time of the incident.
5. Refer Victims to Appropriate Services. An individual’s medical, emotional, safety and other needs should be addressed at the time a report is made. It is vital law enforcement has a relationship with community-based advocacy organizations and local culturally-specific organizations or other organizations focused on underserved populations.
6. Properly Identify the Assailant in Domestic Violence Incidents. The proper identification of the predominant aggressor in domestic violence incidents is essential. Considering and balancing the history of domestic violence, the motivation of each individual to be untruthful, the existence of past or present protection orders and criminal histories are important factors. Dual arrests should be discouraged.
7. Hold Officers Who Commit Gender Violence Accountable. The legitimacy of the law enforcement agency is called into question if they do not fully investigate reports of gender violence perpetrated by its own officers. An internal investigation should be conducted and referred for prosecution when applicable, whenever an allegation of an officer-involved incident occurs.
8. Maintain, Review and Act Upon Data Regarding Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. Agencies should assess whether their jurisdiction is under-investigation sexual assault or domestic violence by examining their own crime statistics. Collecting, analyzing and acting upon data is key to ensuring that law enforcement agencies are operating lawfully and effectively.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Landhuis.

Thriving Families – Listening Sessions

As part of the Thriving Families project, Idaho Coalition staff worked with Voices Against Violence to conduct listening sessions with the Latina community, specifically youth and mothers who have experienced relationship abuse. Participants shared powerful experiences about how we can better support Latina families and the great benefit of advocates in their journey toward safety and healing.

One courageous Latina teenager shared that she had nowhere to turn when she experienced racism and bullying. Without the love and support of her mother, she may have committed suicide, she said. Despite her mother’s ongoing struggles with experiencing domestic violence, she was strong for her daughter, and gave her hope. This speaks to what we know about protective factors – even one consistent, loving, support in our lives can make all the difference in the world! This teenager urged us to find our way deeper into the Latina community and for us to understand how racism can prevent people from reaching out for support. Voices Against Violence has multiple advocates that are working alongside the Latinx community. Voices continues to go deeper with under-served communities, the living example of “meeting people where they’re at”.

Multiple women shared how resources don’t match their needs, and that safety can look different for women of color and immigrants. Sometimes advocates or counselors may not realize the full lived experiences and fears clients face, and the importance of connection to community and culture. Women talked about how service providers can help them feel safer: Make it obvious that I am welcome and understood. Speak my language, understand my fear of deportation, fear for my children, the racism we face daily. How does my faith or community strengthen me, and how is it challenging me? Talk to me about this. Honor my parenting practices, beliefs, food, and desire to freely practice cultural traditions. Understand that what you think I need for my current situation may harm me. Seek to understand. Try harder to find me and reach my community. Help be a champion and make our community safer.

We were honored to work with Angie and Donna and the rest of the team at Voices Against Violence, and most honored to be entrusted by courageous women who came to these sessions.

We hope to continue to lift their voices through Idaho Thriving Families, hearing more stories, and sharing what we learn. We know that across Idaho we are all working hard to reach more underserved survivors and their children. We appreciate all you do.

For more information on the Thriving Families project, please contact Melissa or Mercedes.

Crisis and Support Line Tip Sheet

Check out The Resource Sharing Project’s NEW Crisis and Support Line Tip Sheet, created for rural programs!

This guide was inspired by real rural programs around the country and is meant to be used while you answer the crisis and support line. One side provides helpful responses to use while you are supporting sexual assault survivors on your rural crisis and support line. The other side is for you to use after you have completed the call, including some grounding techniques to use.

Training & Events

The Mask You Live In
Thursday, June 15th
6:00 – 8:30 PM MST
Farnsworth Room, Student Union Building | Boise State University
1700 University Driver Boise, ID 83725

The film follows the stories of boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America’s narrow definition of masculinity. Click here to view the film trailer.

Snacks and beverages will be provided at no cost. Feel free to bring in outside food or drink. Discussion to follow the film. For accommodations, please call 208-426-4249

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Webinar: Economic Empowerment with Survivors
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
1:00 – 2:30 PM MST | 12:00 – 1:30 PM PST
Many survivors of domestic violence have experienced at least one form of economic abuse and a survivor’s economic situation is often impacted for many months and even years after an abusive relationship because of this. Economic stability for survivors in transitional housing is imperative in order to achieve self-sufficiency and successfully move on to permanent housing. This webinar will focus on how advocates can begin to talk to survivors about their economic and financial situation in a trauma-informed way, and will give advocates useful tools to use with survivors. The presenter for this webinar will be Kim Pentico, the Economic Justice Program Director at the National Network to End Domestic Violence.

Register now

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VIRTUAL SUMMIT | Spotlight: Mandatory Reporting | Building Best Practice for Domestic Violence Intervention Programs
Thursday, June 29, 2017
11:00 – 5:00 PM MST | 10:00 – 4:00 PM PST

In this full-day interactive virtual summit, we will unpack the impact of mandatory reporting on help seeking and identify practical strategies advocates can use to decrease negative consequences of reporting and increase survivor safety and self-determination.

Results of a recent survey indicate mandated reporting impacts domestic violence survivors, and most often that impact is detrimental. 50% of survivors in the survey said the mandatory report made things “much worse.” Youth under 18 and trans* and gender variant people were especially impacted – almost half said that they had avoided seeking support for fear that they would be reported. Youth and especially LGBTQ youth are not talking to trusted adults about their relationships because of fear of being reported. In this webinar, we will unpack the impact of mandatory reporting on help seeking and identify practical strategies advocates can use to decrease negative consequences of reporting and increase survivor safety and self-determination.

with the National LGBTQ Institute on Intimate Partner Violence, a project of the NW Network and NCAVP

Register now

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Civil Justice for Victims of Crime in Idaho

The seminar will explore how victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, child sex abuse, drunk driving, homicide, workplace violence, terrorism, elder abuse, identity theft and financial and property crimes can use civil lawsuits to obtain justice, hold responsible parties accountable, prevent future crimes, and obtain the financial resources victims need to rebuild their lives. The program will cover resources and strategies for victims considering civil lawsuits, and will include a panel of attorneys to answer specific questions of Idaho law. The training is for victim advocates, law enforcement officers, social workers, mental health professionals, and other allied professionals. There is no charge for any attendee, and a free breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack will be served.

 

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Visit the online store to view current Idaho Coalition materials available for order. For store questions, please contact Lacey Sinn.

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