Law Enforcement Agencies: Partner With PERF To Improve Responses To Sexual Assault And Domestic Violence

Posted: June 11, 2017

The Police Executive Research Forum (PERF) is seeking local law enforcement agencies that have a commitment to improving sexual assault and domestic violence investigations, and that are willing to serve as a national model for other agencies. Partner agencies will receive training and technical assistance (TTA) designed to help achieve these critical goals. 

Gender Bias Guidance

The U.S. Justice Department's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) has awarded PERF a cooperative agreement to assist as many as 5 law enforcement agencies and their partner advocacy organizations to implement the principles set forth in the Justice Department's guidance on Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias in Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. This guidance, released in 2015, is designed to advance bias-free policing and help agencies to more fairly and effectively respond to crimes and allegations of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Training and Technical Assistance

As part of the training and technical assistance (TTA), PERF will work with partner agencies to assess their current policies and practices, and provide recommendations and training to make improvements, consistent with the DOJ guidance. 

PERF will implement the TTA with the support of a steering committee comprised of subject matter experts and practitioners - including EVAWI. PERF will then document the promising practices and lessons learned by each agency.

Call for Leadership

This is an opportunity for police, sheriffs', and tribal law enforcement agencies to demonstrate leadership in the areas of sexual assault and domestic violence investigations, and to serve as a model for other agencies. Results of the initiative will be documented in a guidebook to share with agencies nationwide to help them improve their response to sexual assault and domestic violence.

Members, click here to read full article and to learn how to apply.

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