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Course detail: Trauma Informed Sexual Assault Investigations: Focus on the Victim

This course provides law enforcement officers with essential knowledge and skills to conduct effective, victim-centered sexual assault investigations. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of sexual assault and how trauma impacts victims and investigations.

Officers will be introduced to trauma-informed interviewing techniques that improve victim cooperation and case outcomes. Real-world case examples will illustrate best practices for conducting thorough, victim-focused investigations that enhance evidence collection and prosecution success.

By applying these principles, officers will be better equipped to handle sexual assault cases with sensitivity, professionalism, and effectiveness.

Learning Objectives:

Describe the dynamics of sexual assault and its impact on victims.
Explain how trauma affects sexual assault investigations and victim behavior.
Apply trauma-informed interviewing techniques to improve victim cooperation and case outcomes.
Analyze case examples to identify best practices for conducting victim-focused investigations.

Session Information: LE25234F (4 seats (13%) remaining)

Schedule:

Every day, starting on 05/20/25 and ending on 05/20/25

Only 19 days left to register!

Times:

09:00am-04:00pm CDT

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Instructors

Name

Additional Resources

Shannon Leeper

Biography: Shannon Leeper lives in a suburb of Kansas City - Go Chiefs! In 1998, after obtaining her bachelor's degree in the Administration of Justice, she began her law enforcement career with the Lenexa, Kansas Police Department. She transferred from the Patrol division to Investigations in 2005, as a general assignment detective. By 2008, she established the Special Victim's Unit within the Lenexa Police Department, where she remained for 17 years.

As a "career detective," Shannon was the lead investigator in over 5,000 cases, including unattended deaths, homicides, and the successful prosecution of a 1994 rape cold case that resulted in a 64-year sentence. Shannon's unparalleled commitment to the development and demonstration of best practices for working with victims of sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence led to her recognition as a subject matter expert throughout the metro area.

Following retirement in 2021, Shannon pursued an opportunity in the academic world, as a senior-level Title IX investigator for a large university. However, Shannon was soon drawn back to law enforcement, joining the Johnson County District Attorney's Office in Olathe, Kansas as a criminal investigator in 2022. Shannon is an investigator with the Johnson County Officer Involved Critical Incident Investigative Team (OICIIT) and she is a member of the Johnson County Domestic Violence Multi-Disciplinary Team. She is the longest standing member of the Johnson County Sexual Assault Response Team and the current Chair elect.

As an instructor, Shannon provides trauma-informed sexual assault and domestic violence training for her law enforcement peers, recruits, prosecutors, medical providers, and other stakeholders. As a public speaker, Shannon presents at law enforcement conferences on a regional and national level and she has testified before the Senate and House Judiciary Committees at the State Capital. She represents District 1 as a Governor elect for the Kansas Peace Officers Association (KPOA). She is an avid photographer in her free time.

Facility Detail

Johnson County Community College

12345 College Blvd - Midwest Trust Center

Overland Park, KS 66210