This presentation identifies barriers to successful crime victim/witness interviews and explore techniques for overcoming those barriers, with a special emphasis on virtual interviews that are compliant with COVID-19 social distancing measures. The presenters discuss the limitations of a traditional fact-gathering approach and introduce alternative techniques to minimize re-traumatization and enhance our ability to re-create the reality of the crime at trial. An emphasis is placed on strategies for integrating a trauma-informed response from the first contact with a victim through the conclusion of the case, with realistic goals for interviews and virtual meetings at every stage of the process.
Overcoming the Consent Defense: Prosecuting Known Offenders
This presentation will address the challenges inherent in prosecuting known offenders and alcohol-facilitated sexual assault, with an emphasis on overcoming the consent defense. The presentation will examine offender characteristics, motivations, and behaviors as well as the impact of the offender’s actions on the victim. The presenter will suggest strategies for overcoming common misconceptions at trial, including the importance of establishing a compelling trial theme, introducing evidence of the defendant’s predatory behavior, presenting corroborating evidence to support witness credibility, and recreating the reality of the crime at trial.
Witness Intimidation Part I: Enhancing Witness Safety: Preventing and Responding to Intimidation
Part I of the series will discuss a coordinated system response to the challenges presented by witness intimidation. The presenter will explore methods for enhancing victim and witness safety, improving witnesses’ ability to participate in the justice system, and holding offenders accountable at all stages of the criminal justice process.
Keeping Doors Open: Domestic Violence and COVID-19
Witness Intimidation Part II: Effective Use of Intimidation Evidence
Part II of the series discusses the identification, documentation, and effective use of evidence of intimidation at trial to hold offenders accountable. The presenter explores how to admit and present evidence to demonstrate the offender’s consciousness of guilt, to explain the absence of a witness, and to introduce an unavailable witness’s statements via the doctrine of forfeiture by wrongdoing.
Identifying Risk, Managing Trauma, and Assessing Your Legal Rights During This Pandemic: A Panel Discussion
Join us for a panel benefitting AEquitas’ work to improve the quality of justice in sexual and gender-based violence prosecutions.
Join Lisa Kane Brown, Child Advocate and Attorney; Shari Botwin, LCSW, Trauma Therapist and author of Thriving After Trauma; and Kristen Gibbons Feden, Victims’ Rights Advocate and Attorney representing sexual assault survivors as they discuss ways of supporting survivors and overcoming trauma. Moderated by Jennifer Gentile Long, CEO of AEquitas, this panel will include brief presentations followed by a question and answer period.
