1.4 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered for this training.

With a focus on crisis intervention rather than long-term counseling, this 2.5 day training will deepen your understanding of sexual assault and the major roles of an advocate/service provider. This training is designed primarily for sexual assault advocates/service providers who are volunteers or staff at rape crisis centers. Others who may benefit include nurses, physicians, law enforcement officers, and professional counselors who do not have specific sexual assault training. This updated training includes modules on campus sexual assault, male sexual assault, and neurobiology of trauma and assault. Through case studies, role-playing, and other interactive exercises, you will build the basic skills necessary to provide competent, effective crisis intervention services to sexual assault victims/survivors effectively and sensitively. Specifically, you will:

• Define your role in relation to others working as part of a sexual assault response team.
• Practice how to respond to a crisis call reporting recent sexual assault.
• Develop a "toolkit" of crisis intervention techniques to support recovery from sexual assault.
• Formulate a personalized self-care plan to prevent burnout.

Active participation in each of the following training modules will help you accomplish these specific learning objectives:

• Introductions and Overview
  • Determine when to use the terms sexual assault, sexual violence, rape, sexual abuse, victim, and survivor.
• What is Sexual Assault Advocacy?
  • Describe the composition of a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).
  • Identify the major roles of an advocate.
  • Make appropriate decisions about confidentiality based on state reporting laws.
• Realities of Sexual Assault
  • Correctly answer at least two questions about the incidence and prevalence of sexual assault in the United States.
  • List at least two myths and two facts about rape and sexual assault.
• The Neurobiology of Trauma and Sexual Assault
  • Describe the components of the brain related to trauma.
  • Explain common ways the brain is affected during and after sexual assault.
  • Recognize common ways a traumatic experience may affect a victim's behavior.
  • Assist victims in understanding the neurobiology of trauma, when appropriate.
• Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault
  • Identify special procedures and "red flags" for supporting a victim of a drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA).
• Impact of Sexual Assault
  • Describe the physical and psychological impact of sexual assault.
  • Describe the impact of sexual assault on partners, family, and close friends.
• Campus Sexual Assault
  • Cite key statistics on campus sexual assault.
  • Describe the laws that apply to sexual assault on campus.
  • Identify resources available to victims of campus sexual assault.
• Military Sexual Assault
  • Discuss the overall prevalence of military sexual assault.
  • Describe two unique aspects of military culture.
  • Describe the two types of reporting options for military Service members.
  • Identify at least one victim assistance resource for military Service members.
• Impact of Sexual Assault on Cisgender Men and LGBTQ+ Individuals
  • Describe the impacts of sexual assault on cisgender men and LGBTQ+ individuals.
  • Describe the barriers that exist when cisgender men and LGBTQ+ individuals seek support and services after experiencing sexual violence.
  • Explore culturally responsive approaches to serving cisgender men and LGBTQ+ individuals who experience sexual violence.
• Procedures in Common Advocacy Situations
  • Respond appropriately to a caller on a crisis line who is reporting a recent sexual assault in a trauma-informed way.
  • Identify correct advocacy procedures during a medical-forensic exam.
  • Create a list of "dos and don'ts" for law enforcement statement accompaniment and courtroom accompaniment.
  • Differentiate the roles of advocates, forensic nurse examiners (FNE), and other Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) members.
• Recovery Education and Skills Training
  • Use crisis intervention, education, and long-term supportive counseling skills to assist sexual assault victims.
• Strategies for Organizational Wellness and Self-Care
  • Define vicarious trauma, burnout, and compassion fatigue.
  • Recognize the signs and symptoms of vicarious trauma, burnout, and compassion fatigue.
  • Explore specific strategies for personalized self-care plans and organizational wellness.
• Wrap-Up and Evaluation
  • Design a personalized checklist to assist them during their advocacy work.