Adult & Child Sexual Assault Investigations

Question 1

ASA Investigator

Answer 1

A police employee who has completed the specialist ASA investigator’s course and/or has completed the CIB Selection & Induction training course (post Feb.2011).

Question 2

ASA Adult definition

Answer 2

A person aged 17 years or older at the time of reporting a sexual assault.

Question 3

ASA Child definition

Answer 3

A person aged under 17 years of age at the time of reporting a sexual assault.

Question 4

ASA Timings for Sexual Assault Complaints

Answer 4

Acute: within 7 days of sexual assault.
Non-acute: 7 days-6 months after assault.
Historic: 6 months after assault.

Question 5

ASA Specialist Adult Witness Investigator

Answer 5

A person who has successfully completed the investigative interviewing Level 3: Specialist adult witness training.

Question 6

Define what the term “child centred timeframes” means.

Answer 6

Timeframes that are relevant to the child’s age & cognitive development.
The younger the child the more vulnerable they are & therefore they require a quicker response.

Question 7

Define serious child abuse.

Answer 7

Sexual abuse.
Serious physical abuse.
Serious wilful neglect.
Serious family violence where child is witness.
Allegations against CYF caregivers involving serious child abuse.
Allegations against employees of CYF & Police involving serious child abuse.

Question 8

List the 3 areas to consider when determining seriousness of physical abuse.

Answer 8

Action of the abuse.
Injury inflicted.
Circumstances.

Question 9

List things you should remind the victim to refrain from before a medical exam.

Answer 9

Eating or drinking.
Going to the toilet.
Washing or showering.
Washing hands or biting fingernails.
Smoking.
Changing clothing.
Brushing hair.
Brushing teeth or rinsing their mouth.

Question 10

Before a medical examination what should you explain to the victim?

Answer 10

The examination will be conducted by a medical forensic practitioner specifically trained in examining victims of sexual assault.

The benefits of a full medical forensic examination including:
*potential benefit to physical, sexual & mental health.
*help to obtain evidence.
The expected time of examination & possible outcomes.

Question 11

Interacting With Victims

Achieving a successful outcome when investigating a sexual assault requires the careful balance of two priorities:

Answer 11

Undertaking the investigation as quickly as possible, and

Meeting the victim’s physical & emotional needs.

Question 12

Interacting With Victims

CALMTEA

Answer 12

CONDUCT dealings in sensitive manner.
ACCEPT they are telling the truth unless evidence to contrary.
LISTEN to what they tell you.
MEDICAL attention required?
TREAT them courteously.
EXPLAIN the process.
ADVISE them of support services.

Question 13

What are the key principles of ASA & Child Protection investigations?

Answer 13

Victim’s well-being & safety is paramount.
Police will use specially trained investigators.
Victims reffered to specialist support.
Offenders to be held accountable.
Comms with victim & partner agencies.
Privacy of victims.
Investigators to regular receive psych debrief

Question 14

What is the purpose of a preliminary interview?

Answer 14

To gain a better understanding of what has occurred & to determine:
What further investigative actions are necessary.
Whether an offence may have occurred.
Whether the victim wishes to make a formal complaint.

Question 15

What does SAATS stand for?

Answer 15

Sexual Abuse Assessment and Treatment Services.

Question 16

What does ViCLAS stand for?

Answer 16

Violent Crime Linkages Analysis System.

Question 17

Define child abuse

Answer 17

Physical, sexual, emotional or psychological abuse.
Neglect.
Witness to family violence or serious crime.
Presence in unsafe environments, e.g clan lab.
Cyber crime exploiting children.
Child trafficking.

Question 18

What is an Initial Joint Investigation Plan

Answer 18

An agreed plan between Police & CYF.

• who is involved
• what they will do
• when they will do it

Question 19

What type of ACTIONS will meet the threshold for serious physical abuse?

Answer 19

Blow or kick to head.
Shaking of an infant.
Strangulation.
Use of object as a weapon, e.g broom, belt
Attempted drowning.

Question 20

What type of INJURIES will meet the threshold for serious physical abuse?

Answer 20

Death.
Bone fracture.
Burn.
Concussion or loss of consciousness.
Any injury requiring medical attention.
Any bruising or abrasion where child is very young & it does not appear accidental.