Program areas at EVAWI
Evawi is dedicated to improving criminal justice responses to sexual assault, domestic Violence, and other gender-based crimes. To advance this mission, evawi holds annual conferences supported by registration fees, to educate multidisciplinary teams of law enforcement, prosecutors, health care professionals, victim advocates, researchers, and others. In 2022, evawi held its first conference with both in-person and virtual attendees. A total of 2,108 professionals attended, completing 242,160 training hours, an incredible success given the continued uncertainty created by the ongoing pandemic. This means professionals from across the country and around the world now have the tools to improve the quality of response and investigation at every stage in the process.
Evawi partnered up to develop and launch the new sexual assault medical forensic examination: a virtual practicum. Through this interactive training, which is available for free with support from ovw, professionals learn each step in the process of conducting a medical forensic examination, including collecting evidence and documenting findings - even preparing professionals to testify in court. It is a valuable trauma- informed training tool for health care professionals, as well as law enforcement, prosecutors, forensic scientists, emergency medical services, victim advocates, and others. In 2022 the virtual practicum drew a total of 1,137 users who logged 22,172 hours of training. This translates to increased access to justice for survivors with better evidence collection.
Evawi offers 19 comprehensive online training courses and a web-based clearinghouse for information, resources, and best practices with more than 200 archived webinars. Many of these resources are free, but webinars require a registration fee. In 2022, evawi launched a new program offering individuals and agencies paid subscriptions for unlimited access to all live and recorded webinars. In the first year of the program, 12 agency subscriptions and 44 individual subscriptions were purchased, and 951 professionals attended live and recorded webinars, enhancing their skills in a wide range of areas. This number is expected to increase as more practitioners use webinar subscriptions to continue improving responses to sexual assault, domestic Violence, and other gender-based crimes.
Start by believing (sbb) is a global campaign transforming the way society responds to sexual assault victims, making it easier and safer to seek help. In 2022, evawi provided hands-on assistance for local communities to launch and sustain campaigns that spread the message, we believe and support survivors. At least 700 sbb campaigns have now prepared professionals and loved ones to react supportively to survivors across the us and in 25 countries. But what happens next? Seek then speak offers a way for survivors and support people to gather information, explore options, and take action including reporting to police, if they choose. This innovative tool increases access for survivors to pursue justice and healing on their own terms. Comprehensive victim interviewing (cvi) is a new program evawi launched in 2022, also supported by registration fees. This intensive 2-day virtual training in trauma informed interviewing and investigation is led by veteran law enforcement investigators and other leading national experts. Offered online through a high-performance technology platform, participants have plenty of opportunities to interact and analyze recorded interviews with survivors conducted by skilled investigators following best practices, including accompaniment by a victim advocate. Three cvi courses were offered in 2022, for a total of 338 professionals who walked away from cvi training better prepared to conduct effective victim interviews and evidence-based investigations in hundreds of communities across the us.