Sexual abuse in confinement has persistently presented tremendous challenges to investigators and prosecutors because of internal and external barriers to reporting, including the behaviors, actions, and decision-making power of first responders that may result in the failure to make an official report to law enforcement. Additional challenges include issues related to evidence collection and retention, identification of witnesses, and multi-level biases against inmates. This resource provides an overview of the Prison Rape Elimination Act and national standards related to a victim-centered, offender-focused investigation and prosecution of a sexual abuse in confinement. The issue discusses detailed strategy for prosecuting these cases, including investigation, pretrial, jury selection, trial testimony and sentencing.
Office on Violence Against Women Campus Training and Technical Institute 2018
SPARC Director Jennifer Landhuis presented “Use of Social Media in Gender Based Violence” with Rebecca Dreke and “Know More, Do More: Addressing Stalking on College Campuses” in Fort Worth, Texas for an audience of campus judiciary board members, community advocacy organization staff, law enforcement officers, mental health professionals, and university student affairs staff.
Expert Witness Testimony Training
AEquitas Attorney Advisors Teresa Garvey, Jonathan Kurland, and John Wilkinson presented “Explaining Victim Behavior,” “Admissibility of Expert Testimony,” and “Using Expert Witnesses” on behalf of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (PCAR) in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to an audience of dual sexual assault/domestic violence program staff and prosecutors.
Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV)
AEquitas Attorney Advisor Jonathan Kurland, along with consultant Tom McDevitt delivered a series of presentations, included “Investigation and Prosecution of Sexual Violence,” “Introducing Expert Testimony in Sexual Assault Cases,” “Safeguarding Victim Privacy: Ethical Considerations and a Plan of Action for Prosecutors and Victim Attorneys,” and “#GUILTY: Identifying, Preserving, and Admitting Digital Evidence” in Wichita, Kansas.
University of Delaware Law Enforcement Training
AEquitas Attorney Advisor Jonathan Kurland presented “Alcohol Facilitated Sexual Assault” and “Image Exploitation” in Newark, Delaware for an audience of corrections personnel, dual sexual/domestic violence program staff, and law enforcement officers.
Sexual Assault Kit Initiative Investigation Training and Technical Assistance
AEquitas Attorney Advisors Jonathan Kurland and Patti Powers presented “Trauma Informed Interviewing,” “Overcoming the Consent Defense” and “Reaching a Verdict” on behalf of the Office of the Attorney General of Iowa to audiences in Council Bluffs, Des Moines, and Iowa City.
Human Trafficking Training
AEquitas Attorney Advisor Jane Anderson delivered a series of presentations, including but not limited to human trafficking, witness intimidation, and implementing a trauma informed approach Commonwealth Trading Partners in San Antonio, Texas for an audience of corrections personnel, court personnel, government agency staff, human trafficking program staff, law enforcement officers, and prosecutors.
International Visitor Leadership Program: Cabo Verde
AEquitas met with a group of international visitors from Cabo Verde as part of the State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program for their program “Fighting Sexual Gender Based Violence and Sexual Violence Against Children.”
Law Enforcement Response to and Investigation of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking
AEquitas Attorney Advisor Jane Anderson and SPARC Director Jennifer Landhuis delivered a series of presentations delivered a series of presentations on domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking on behalf of the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to an audience of law enforcement officers.
Best Practices Training
AEquitas Attorney Advisor Jane Anderson presented on “Special Issues for Prosecutors Certifications and Discovery” and “Human Trafficking & T Visas” on behalf of the National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project (NIWAP) in Morrow, Georgia to an audience including sexual assault/domestic violence program staff, law enforcement and prosecutors.
