ÆQUITAS | Model Response to Sexual Violence for Prosecutors (RSVP) An Invitation to Lead 1100 H STREET NW, SUITE 310 | WASHINGTON, DC 20005 P: (202) 558-0040 | F: (202) 393-1918 WWW.AEQUITASRESOURCE.ORG Table of Contents CHAPTER 1 ......................................................................................................................................................................... 5 Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER 2 ......................................................................................................................................................................... 8 RSVP Introduction ........................................................................................................................................................................ 8 2.1. The Need for a Model Response ..................................................................................................................................................... 8 2.2. Core Principles .................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 2.3. Defining and Measuring Success .................................................................................................................................................. 13 2.4. The RSVP Model: Three Facets of Progress ............................................................................................................................. 15 CHAPTER 3 ....................................................................................................................................................................... 16 Office-Level Leadership: The Prosecutor’s Role to Seek Justice ................................................................................ 16 3.1. Assess Current Practice in Your Jurisdiction .......................................................................................................................... 18 3.1-A. What Does Attrition Look Like in Your Jurisdiction? ........................................................................................................................ 18 3.1-B. Identify, Review, and Link Prosecution Policies and Practices to Specific Outcomes ........................................................ 19 3.1-C. Capture Case Complexity ............................................................................................................................................................................... 21 3.1-D. Routinely Capture, Analyze, and Communicate About the Data .................................................................................................. 22 3.1-E. Properly Allocate Resources to Address Sexual Violence ............................................................................................................... 22 3.2. Build Capacity ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 23 3.2-A. Within the Office ................................................................................................................................................................................................ 23 3.2-A-1. Develop and Instill Core Principles ................................................................................................................................................. 24 3.2-A-2. Develop Specialized Units and Prosecutors ................................................................................................................................ 24 3.2-A-3. Understand How the Rules of Professional Responsibility Govern Decision-Making ............................................. 29 3.2-A-4. Recognize and Address the Impact of Vicarious Trauma on Staff. ................................................................................... 30 3.2-B. Within the Community ................................................................................................................................................................................... 31 3.2-B-1. Multidisciplinary Collaboration ....................................................................................................................................................... 31 3.2-B-2. Identify and Utilize Data and Technology .................................................................................................................................... 33 3.2-B-3. Share Information and Expertise ..................................................................................................................................................... 34 3.2-B-4. Develop an Effective Strategy for Communicating with the Community About Sexual Violence ....................... 36 3.2-B-5. Improve Community Relations by Promoting Cultural Humility ...................................................................................... 36 3.2-B-6. Encourage and Facilitate Formal and Informal Cross-Training ......................................................................................... 37 3.3. Office-Level Conceptual Model ..................................................................................................................................................... 39 CHAPTER 4 ....................................................................................................................................................................... 42 Case-Level Leadership: The Prosecutor’s Duty to Achieve Justice ............................................................................ 42 4.1 Review, Evaluate, and Charge the Case ...................................................................................................................................... 45 4.1-A. Review All Reports in a Timely Manner.................................................................................................................................................. 45 4.1-B. Consider Law, Policy, and Relevant Research ...................................................................................................................................... 45 4.1-B-1. Communicate Regularly and Meaningfully with Investigators .......................................................................................... 49 4.1-C. Make Charging Decisions Consistent with Research and Ethical considerations ................................................................ 51 4.1-C-1. Corroboration is Valuable but Usually not a Legal Requirement ...................................................................................... 55 4.1-C-2. Consult Statutes, Case Law, Social Science, Medical, and Other Relevant Research ................................................. 58 4.1-D. Request Bail Commensurate with the Seriousness of the Offense ............................................................................................. 59 4.1-D-1. Request No-Contact Orders ............................................................................................................................................................... 61 4.1-D-2. Safeguard Victim Privacy and Safety ............................................................................................................................................. 61 4.1-E. Oppose Unnecessary Delay ........................................................................................................................................................................... 62 4.1-F. Build a Case that Engages Victims and Makes Effective Use of All Probative Evidence .................................................... 63 4.1-F-1. Conduct Trauma-Informed Interview of the Victim to Reveal Evidence of the Crime ............................................. 65 4.1-F-2. Review DNA and Forensic Evidence to Corroborate the Victim’s Testimony .............................................................. 68 4.1-F-3. Prevent and Respond to Witness Intimidation .......................................................................................................................... 69 4.1-F-4. Review All of the Evidence and Begin to Put the Pieces of the Case Together ............................................................ 70 4.2 Thoroughly Prepare the Case ......................................................................................................................................................... 71 4.2-A. Work with Experts to Understand and Explain the Evidence ....................................................................................................... 71 4.2-A-1. Victim Behavior ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 74 4.2-A-2. Medical Evidence .................................................................................................................................................................................... 75 4.2-A-3. Toxicology .................................................................................................................................................................................................