CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — Officers with the Charleston Police Department are receiving new training on how to support and serve sexual assault survivors during their investigations.
In partnership with the local advocacy organization Tri-County S.P.E.A.K.S., the police department launched the new training program to provide detectives with victim-centered, evidence-based investigative practices. The Abby Honold Grant is funding the training and will provide the resources needed within the department.
The training is centered around a victim-centered, trauma-informed and offender-focused approach, also known as the VTO approach. Detectives and officers are being taught the approach to prevent assumptions that can derail sexual assault cases, respond in ways that are respectful and productive, and gather more information and identify investigative leads…