Introduction to Trauma and Sexual Assault Investigations

Course Overview

This new eLearning module has been developed by a sub-committee of the Alberta Justice and Solicitor General Sexual Violence Police Advisory Committee (SVPAC) to educate police on the impacts of trauma and inform their interaction and response to victims of sexual violence.

Course Goals:

• Discuss how trauma can affect the dynamics of memory and illustrate why memory is not like a video camera
• Identify commonly held biases and interpret how they can compromise our response to victims of sexual violence
• Outline the key aspects of consent law and how non-consent is communicated
• Explain the importance of communication and demonstrate effective techniques for responding to victims of trauma