When a person experiences sexual violence, the decision to report is not an easy one. Walking into a police department and telling someone what happened may be one of the hardest things they ever do.
Before a survivor ever meets with law enforcement, they may have already spent hours, days, months, or even years asking themselves questions:
Will they believe me?
Will people blame me?
Will going through the process make things worse?
These questions are not signs that a survivor does not want accountability for what happened to them. They are reminders that reporting sexual violence requires a tremendous amount of trust that those working within the system will listen, respond, and treat them with dignity.
Law enforcement plays a critical role in building that trust. Every interaction, from the first phone call to the investigative process and beyond, shapes how survivors experience the justice system. As practitioners, our response can be their first step toward healing or a crushing experience that retraumatizes a person who deserves justice.
It all hinges on how we treat the human being sitting in front of us, telling us about what is likely the worst thing that ever happened to them. Here in Connecticut, the question we need to keep asking is: Are we making it easier for survivors to come forward, or are we unintentionally creating more barriers?
Understanding Why Survivors Don’t Report
Sexual violence is consistently among the most underreported crimes, and there are many reasons survivors choose not to immediately involve law enforcement.
For some survivors, the biggest barrier is fear.
They may fear that no one will believe them. They may worry that people will focus on what they were wearing, whether they were drinking, why they were at a certain location, or why they did not fight back. They may have heard about others’ experiences being dismissed or judged, and wonder if reporting will actually help them get justice.
For others, the barrier is the relationship with the person who caused harm.
In many sexual assault cases, the person who harmed the survivor is someone they know. Reporting may feel like risking their safety, their housing, their relationships, or their future.
Survivors may also delay reporting because of trauma.
People respond to traumatic experiences in many different ways. Some immediately seek help. Others freeze, disconnect, minimize what happened, try to “just move forward,” maintain contact with the person who harmed them, or struggle to put the experience into words.
These responses are human, and they are important for law enforcement to understand.
The First Response Can Change Everything
The first person a survivor tells matters.
Whether that person is a friend, healthcare provider, dispatcher, victim advocate, patrol officer, or investigator, that first response can either open the door to support or reinforce fear and distrust in the system.
A trauma-informed response does not mean skipping an investigation or assuming an outcome. It means understanding that trauma impacts how people communicate and recognizing that survivors may not always respond in ways we expect.
In Connecticut, our law enforcement response should focus on creating a process where survivors feel safe enough to share information, ask questions, and stay engaged.
That starts with simple things:
Listen before you investigate.
The first conversation is not about proving a case. It is about creating a foundation of trust.
Statements like: “Thank you for telling me. I know this may have been difficult to share. I’m here to listen and help you understand your options.” can make a significant difference.
Explain what happens next.
One of the biggest sources of anxiety for survivors is not knowing what will happen after they report.
Survivors should understand:
- Who will be involved in the investigation.
- What information may be collected.
- What resources are available.
- What choices they have.
- What the process may look like moving forward.
Transparency helps reduce fear and build trust.
Ask better questions.
Investigations require detailed information, but the way questions are asked matters.
Questions that unintentionally suggest blame, such as “Why didn’t you leave?” or “Why did you go back?”, often fail to recognize the realities of trauma, coercion, fear, and relationships.
A more effective approach is:
“Help me understand what was happening during that time.”
That allows investigators to gather information without placing responsibility on the survivor.
Strengthening Connecticut’s Sexual Assault Response
Strong systems are built through everyday interactions. Best practices for Connecticut law enforcement include:
Creating consistent, survivor-centered responses across agencies.
Survivors should receive a compassionate and informed response, whether they report in a large city department, a small town agency, or through another community partner.
Building strong relationships with advocates.
Advocates provide critical support, help survivors understand their rights and options, and can help reduce the isolation survivors often experience after assault. The Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence is solidifying this collaboration with our Law Enforcement Services department, building innovative trainings and resources to ensure our state’s response to sexual violence has a solid foundation of best practices and trauma-informed policies.
Reducing unnecessary barriers in the investigative process.
Survivors should not have to repeatedly tell their story to multiple people when information can be shared appropriately through coordinated response.
Training officers and investigators on trauma and sexual violence dynamics.
Understanding trauma responses, grooming, coercive control, delayed disclosure, and digital evidence strengthens investigations and improves survivor engagement.
Making Reporting Easier Does Not Mean Making Investigations Less Thorough
There is sometimes a misconception that a survivor-centered approach means lowering expectations or changing investigative standards.
It does not.
A trauma-informed, survivor-centered investigation can be both compassionate and rigorous.
In fact, when survivors feel respected and supported, they are often better able to provide information, participate in the process, and remain connected to resources.
The goal is not to decide an outcome before the investigation begins.
The goal is to create a process where survivors feel safe enough to participate in the first place.
Trust Is Built One Interaction at a Time
Law enforcement cannot undo the harm caused by sexual violence. They cannot guarantee a particular outcome. They cannot erase the trauma a survivor experienced.
But they can impact what happens next.
They can make the difference in whether a survivor feels ignored or heard, and whether the process feels intimidating or understandable. They can set the tone for whether someone walking through the door feels like a problem to solve or a human who needs support.
Every report is an opportunity to build trust.
When survivors find the courage to tell us what happened, Connecticut’s response must meet that courage with respect, professionalism, and care.
Let’s talk training on reporting best practices for your agency! Contact me at kristin@endsexualviolencect.org