Adult Sexual Assault

Question 1

Victim definition

Answer 1

Section 4 Victims Rights Act 2002

(a) means—
(i) a person against whom an offence is committed by another person;
(ii) a person who, through, or by means of, an offence committed by another person, suffers physical injury, or loss of, or damage to, property; and
(iii) a parent or legal guardian of a child, or of a young person, mentioned above, unless that parent or guardian is charged with the commission of, or convicted or found guilty of, or pleads guilty to, the offence concerned; and
(iv) a member of the immediate family of a person who, as a result of an offence committed by another person, dies or is incapable, unless that member is charged with the commission of, or convicted or found guilty of, or pleads guilty to, the offence concerned; and
(b) for the purposes only of sections 7 and 8, includes emotional harm suffered for thoise metioned above

Question 2

How to provide a safe and secure environment (prinicples) CALETEA

Answer 2

• Conduct your dealings in a sensitive manner. Complaints from victims frequently relate to police not being sensitive.

• Accept they are telling the truth until/unless there is evidence to prove the contrary.
• Listen to what they tell you, giving them an opportunity to tell their account in their words, even to just vent their feelings.
• Establish whether they require medical attention.
• Treat them courteously.
• Explain the process you are following and why you need to follow that process and ask certain questions.
• Advise them of the local counselling services available.

Question 3

12 Key Point Process - ICSPPMFICPFP

Answer 3

1. Initial Action - Obtain brief details
2. Case referal to CIB and ASA. Enter into NIA ASAP
3. Specialist support - With consent, call WR, Crisis line etc.
4. Preliminary Interview - by CIB or ASA investigator
5. Provide feedback on investigaion findings and decisions ASAP
6. Medical Examination ASAP in the circs
7. Formal Interview victim
8. Investigation and evidence assessment
9. Consider options for resolution
10. Prosecution - File prep and prosection procedures
11. Final actions and record keeping
12. Prevention oppourtunities and responsiblilies - Lessons learnt