In this course, participants will learn the importance of applying a trauma-informed, Start by Believing response in their interactions with victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other forms of gender-based and personal violence. Participants will also hear from survivors in WA State about their experiences working with the criminal justice system and how the Start by Believing approach could have or did benefit those interactions. Participants will also learn about the content of WSCJTC’s victim interviewing course (Sexual Assault Investigations – Victim-Centered Engagement and Resiliency Tactics) and the impact of wellness skills on interactions with victims.
Effective July 2023, this 3-hour online Start by Believing Summit course is a required prerequisite for the SAI-VCERT/victim interviewing class under RCW 43.101.272. Additionally, effective July 2025, this training will satisfy the gender-based violence officer training requirement under RCW 43.101.276. All peace officers shall complete the gender-based violence training at least once every three years.
To register for the course, contact your Training Manager to assign the training to you via Acadis.