Trauma Informed Approach to Sexual Assault Investigations #4070 (CAPCOG)

This course is designed to meet the legislative mandate provided by S.B. 1402 in the 88th Regular Legislative Session and Chapter 1701.272 of the Texas Occupations Code. Trauma-Informed Approach to Sexual Assault Investigations is designed to teach all officers how to use a trauma-informed approach using best practices and techniques to effectively recognize, investigate, and document cases of child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault.  Officers will explore biases, barriers and trauma responses. Additionally, Officers will also explore current victim rights and available advocacy services for victims of sexual assault.

**This course is required to be completed not later than the last day of the first full continuing education training period after the date the officer is licensed under the Texas Occupations Code § 1701.253 unless the officer completes the program as part of their basic training course.

Location: CAPCOG – Pecan Room

Instructor: Melissa Hightower – Certified peace officer since 1995.  She holds a BS in Psychobiology and a BA in Economics from Centre College of Kentucky. She holds a Master Peace Officer certificate from TCOLE. She has been instructing on the topic of Assault (FV) since 2001 for several organizations including Texas District and County Attorney’s Association (Regional seminars), Texas Department of Public Safety (Basic Peace Officer academy) and Capital Area Council of Governments (Basic Peace Officer Academy).

TCOLE Credit Hours: 16