VCSO Selected To Receive Training From Florida Council Against Sexual Violence

Posted

Volusia County, FL - The Volusia County Sheriff's Office (VCSO) has been notified that it is among 4 locations in the state selected to receive specialized training through the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence (FCASV) to help officers work more effectively with victims of sexual assault.

"There are many unique factors that make sexual assault investigations different from any other type of criminal investigation," said Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood. "Working in partnership with the victim to corroborate the facts needed to arrest the offender and secure a conviction is critically important. That's what this program is all about, and we're thrilled that we were selected to participate."

According to the VCSO, the program, Excellence in Sexual Assault Response Project (ESARP), is a partnership between FCASV and the criminal justice community that's funded by the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.

The program includes training on the science of trauma, biological responses to the trauma of sexual assault and how it impacts victims' reactions. New techniques learned through the program help to build the victims' trust in law enforcement and the criminal justice process.

The VCSO reports the following about the program:

  • Subject matter experts from across Florida and the nation developed the project.
  • In addition to the initial training, the project offers train-the-trainer events, policy development consultation and technical assistance to law enforcement organizations and their state attorneys' offices on responding to sex crimes against victims 11 years old and above.
  • Training is led by professional law enforcement, dispatch and prosecutor trainers experienced in ESARP techniques.
  • Once the initial training is complete, the Sheriff's Office will assign in-house certified instructors to continue training remaining staff and new hires.

The VCSO was chosen though a competitive selection process. The program comes with a $15,000 grant to help pay for the training, which will also include the State Attorney's Office and staff with the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program and the local Sexual Assault Response Team. Flagler County officials will also be invited to participate.

The other 3 locations selected were the Ocala Police Department, the Pasco County Sheriff's Office and the Putnam County Sheriff's Office/Palatka Police Department.

Find more information about FCASV here.

Photo courtesy of FCASV.

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2017.