Develop a SART
skip navigation 

Law Enforcement Officials

The way victims are treated by dispatchers, responding officers who arrive at the scene and detectives investigating cases shape victim expectations about how they will be treated throughout the criminal justice process.56

When interacting with victims of sexual assault, law enforcement officers should57

  • Give victims choices and options whenever possible.
  • Give victims time to process information.
  • Demonstrate sensitivity by using nonjudgmental questions, comments, and body language.
  • Provide victims with timely updates on the status of investigations and final dispositions.
  • Advise victims of their rights, including their rights to an advocate or support person.
  • Refer victims to organizations that can assist them with their emotional, medical, legal, or financial needs.

This section covers the roles of various types of law enforcement personnel when working with victims: