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14th February 200714th February 2007Briefing on New Service Model in Briefing on New Service Model in

Handling Adult Sexual Violence Cases Handling Adult Sexual Violence Cases

HO Yuen-ha, IreneHO Yuen-ha, IreneSuperintendent of PoliceSuperintendent of Police

Child Protection Policy UnitChild Protection Policy UnitCrime Wing Support GroupCrime Wing Support Group

Police Procedures in Handling and Police Procedures in Handling and Investigation of Sexual Violence Investigation of Sexual Violence

CasesCases

Police Procedures in Handling and Police Procedures in Handling and Investigation of Sexual Violence Investigation of Sexual Violence

CasesCases

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OutlineOutlineOutlineOutline Definition and Statistics on Sexual

Violence (SV)

Handling & Investigation of SV Cases

Multi-disciplinary Collaborations

Challenges & Expectations

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• Non-consensual sexual act or exposure to such act

• Physical force or threat of force

• Victim is unable to give consent

- age, mental capacity, fear, alcohol, drugs……

DefinitionDefinition

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Sexual OffencesSexual Offences

Crimes Ordinance, Cap. 200Crimes Ordinance, Cap. 200

Rape (S. 118)

USI with MIP (S.125)

Incest (S.47-48)

Buggery (S.118)

LIFE

LIFE

IMPRIS

ONMEN

IMPRIS

ONMEN

TTLI

FE LI

FE

IMPRIS

ONMEN

IMPRIS

ONMEN

TT

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Offences2004 2005 2006

M F M F M F

Rape 0 54 0 61 0 60

USI with MIP 0 10 0 8 0 6

Incest 0 0 0 1 0 0

Buggery 0 1 2 4 2 3

Total 0 65 2 74 2 69

StatisticsStatistics(Victim (Victim age 18) age 18)

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(Relation: Victim Vs. Offender)(Relation: Victim Vs. Offender)

20062005

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Offences2005 2006

Instant Delay Instant Delay

Rape 24 37 30 30

USI with MIP 0 8 1 5

Incest 0 1 0 0

Buggery 2 4 2 3

Total 26 50 33 38

(Occurrence Vs. Reporting)(Occurrence Vs. Reporting)

Percentage 34% 66% 46% 54%~ 2 days to 7.5 yearsUSI with MIP

~ 2 days to 3 yearsRape

Range of Time Lapse in Reporting

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Handling and Investigation Procedures Handling and Investigation Procedures

Principles: (Care & Empathy)

Victim should not be further traumatized

No. of Interviews & Statement Taking

Ensure victim’s privacy

Strict confidentiality

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Handling and Investigation ProceduresHandling and Investigation Procedures

Referrals from SWD, CIC, & NGOs:

Duty Officers of Respective

Police Divisions will be the

Designated Contact Points

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Handling and Investigation Procedure Handling and Investigation Procedure (Police Role)(Police Role)

Well-beingWell-being

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Well-beingWell-being(physical)(physical)

Immediate Medical Attention Takes Precedence !!Immediate Medical Attention Takes Precedence !!

First Aid Hospital (A&E)

1st1st prioritypriority

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Friends/ Relatives

Female Officers Social

Workers/ Clinical

PsychologistsSeparated Unoccupied

Room

Well-beingWell-being(psychological)(psychological)

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Referral ServicesReferral Services

New Service Model / Crisis Intervention Centre (CIC);

Family Planning Association of Hong Kong (FPAHK);

NGOs, e.g. Rainlily,…….

Consent from the victim is a must !!!

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Handling and Investigation Procedure Handling and Investigation Procedure (Police Role)(Police Role)

InvestigationInvestigationInvestigationInvestigation

Well-beingWell-being

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Investigation Investigation (Investigation Units(Investigation Units))

Divisional/ District Investigation Teams (DVITs / DITs) District Crime Squads (DCSs) Regional Crime Units (RCUs)

Depends on the circumstances of the case

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Investigation Investigation (Interviews & Statements )(Interviews & Statements )

Why do we need WITNESS STATEMENTS ??Why do we need WITNESS STATEMENTS ??

• To establish the facts

• Obtain written records

• To enable a report to be compiled

No Concealment !!

No Ambiguity !!

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When ? As soon as practicable

Who ? Experienced officers Preferably female officers

Where ? Convenient & Private

What ? Comprehensive statement

Investigation Investigation (Interviews & Statements )(Interviews & Statements )

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Comprehensive StatementComprehensive Statement Full account of incident

Conduct & condition of victim

Before & After

Signs of struggle

Early complaint

Collaboration

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Reasons for Delayed ReportsReasons for Delayed Reports

Shock/ Fear/ Confusion

Worries of consequences

Fear of report to police

Fear of judiciary proceedings

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Reasons for False ComplaintsReasons for False Complaints

Revenge Vs. Ex-boyfriend

Fear of pregnancy

Fear of full disclosure

Underground relationship

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Investigation Investigation (Interviews & Statements )(Interviews & Statements )

Interviews & Interviews & StatementsStatements

How Long ?

Statement taking - normally takes 3 to 4 hrs

How often?

Only when it is strictly necessary

Be kept to a minimum

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Investigation Investigation (Statement Taking at Hospital ?? (Statement Taking at Hospital ?? ))

Upon receiving a report, Police will interviewinterview the victim with a statementstatement taken from her/ him, if necessary, at a suitable venuesuitable venue convenientconvenient to the victim with adequate adequate privacyprivacy.

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Investigation Investigation (VRI with(VRI with MIPMIP))

Interview Suite for Vulnerable Witness

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Investigation Investigation (Preserve Evidence)(Preserve Evidence)

Tips for Case Managers – Rape Victims for Fresh Cases

Obtain fresh set of clothings for victims Encourage victims not to take bath/ showers or urinate before forensic exams. Use a clean container to keep urine (semen trace)

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Investigation Investigation (Preserve Evidence)(Preserve Evidence)

Why Scene Visits ?

Victim to identify locations

Thorough search

– Signs of struggle and physical evidence

Look for circumstantial evidence

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InvestigationInvestigation(Medico-legal Exam.)(Medico-legal Exam.)

Victim’s Content

Victim’s Content

WITHIN 72 HOURS OF

WITHIN 72 HOURS OF

RAPERAPE

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InvestigationInvestigation(Identification Parades)(Identification Parades)

Identification parades only after arrests. Identification parades only after arrests.

A Conventional Line-up

One-way Viewer Parade Room

Victims: SexualSexual/ Triad & Organized Crime/ Witness in Fear

Parade Room :

Only OC Parade (interpreter) , OC Case & Defense Lawyer.

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InvestigationInvestigation(Identification Parades)(Identification Parades)

One-Way Viewer Identification Parade Room

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Handling and Investigation Procedure Handling and Investigation Procedure (Police Role(Police Role))

InvestigationInvestigationInvestigationInvestigation ProsecutionProsecutionProsecutionProsecution

Well-beingWell-being

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Prosecution Prosecution (Court Proceedings)(Court Proceedings)

Witnesses are required to attend court so as to help the court to establish the truth.

31A cartoon showing the setting of the Live TV Link system in

court

ProsecutionProsecution(Court Proceedings- MIP in Court)(Court Proceedings- MIP in Court)

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ProsecutionProsecution(Court Proceedings- Support Person)(Court Proceedings- Support Person)

Do’sDo’s Don’tsDon’tsExplain court procedures & role of witness

Pre-trial visit

Accompany witness (TV Link)

Notification of court result

View the video-recorded interview prior the trial

Access to statements

Discuss facts

Do anything to prejudice the trial proceeding

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ProsecutionProsecution(Court Proceedings- Support Person)(Court Proceedings- Support Person)

REMEMBER !!

SUPPORT PERSON

Prosecution Witness

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Multi-disciplinaryCollaboration

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Role of Case ManagerRole of Case ManagerDo’s Don’ts

Crisis intervention / Emotional SupportCoordinate services Arrange follow-ups / referralsEnquire progress on behalf of vtms Look after welfare needs of vtms

Contaminate vtm’s versionAffect vtm’s credibilityInterfere evidence/ investigation

byprompting…coaching…influencing vtms…

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Scenario – Victim reports to Police

CourtProceedin

g

Investigation

Forensic Exam

Crime

Initial Enquiry

Case Manager

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Scenario – Victim reports to other Dept

Investigation

Forensic Exam

CourtProceedin

g

Case Manager

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Personal (Data) Privacy OrdinancePersonal (Data) Privacy OrdinanceExemptions : S. 58 (2), Cap, 486Personal Data used for the purposes of : -

1. Prevention or Detection of Crime;

2. Apprehension, prosecution or detention of offenders;

3. Prevention or remedying unlawful or seriously improper conduct;

4. ……

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Challenges Challenges Police’s RolePolice’s Role

(Balance between (Balance between Compassion & Justice)Compassion & Justice)

ExternalExternal(Allegations & (Allegations & complaints)complaints)

Long Statement-taking Visiting Crime Scenes to Re-traumatize Victims Qs Victims as if Suspects Lacking of Sensitivity Revictimize victims (i.e. ID Parade, court)

Police concern on safety of victims

Thorough investigations to establish facts

Time Critical – in fresh cases

High level of proof for prosecution

Prepare victims for trial

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ExpectationsExpectations

Mutual UnderstandingMutual Understanding

Mutual CooperationMutual Cooperation

Close LiaisonClose Liaison

Mutual UnderstandingMutual Understanding

Mutual CooperationMutual Cooperation

Close LiaisonClose Liaison

To Provide the best Support & Services to Sexual Violence

Victims !!

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Thank You