Investigating the "unbelievable" Victim: Addressing Bias and Trauma to Build Stronger Gender-Based Violence Cases

Myths, Biases, and stigmas surrounding gender-based violence (GBV) shaped the "true victim provide" - an expectation of how a victim's account, behavior and demeanor should appear.  In cases such as sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and staling, when survivors'' experiences or behaviors deviate from this profile, their stories may seem "unbelievable," and critical investigative evidence can be overlooked.  In reality, these responses often reflect the real and complex effects of trauma rather than deception.

This interactive and thought-provoking training challenges the assumptions that shape the "true victim profile."  It explores how trauma influences memory, behavior, and communication, and provides investigators and victim advocates with strategies to recognize and address bias, gather more accurate information, strengthen victim engagement, and building stronger, evidence-based cases.  By adopting trauma-informed approaches and best practices, this course equips professionals to improve case outcomes and ensure justice and dignity for survivors.