In April, criminal justice faculty members at American Military University have been writing articles in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Sexual violence against those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) is often overlooked due to a combination of stigma and myths. Read more from AMU professor Michelle Beshears about why it is important that the topic of sexual abuse prevention and support continues to reach those in the LGBT community.
Erin Merryn was a victim of child rape and sexual abuse. In an effort to help other child victims, she has dedicated her life to pushing states to adopt Erin’s Law, which requires schools to teach age-appropriate curriculum about sexual abuse to students in prekindergarten through fifth-grade. The purpose of this educational effort is to get victims to disclose abuse. Read more from AMU professor Michael Beshears about the progress of this law and why it has stalled in some state legislatures.
By Nicole Cain
In sexual assault investigations, the primary responsibilities of detectives are the physical and emotional well-being of the victim, the preservation of evidence, and the apprehension of the suspect. Such investigations are challenging because detectives must conduct an in-depth interview with the victim without causing further emotional harm. AMU professor Nicole Cain, a 14-year law enforcement officer, writes about the essential elements of the interview process.
Many professionals believe the emergency medical services (EMS) industry has hit an impasse with industry-wide budget cuts, falling wages, and staffing cuts. However, during this difficult time, a new paradigm has emerged: the mobile care program concept. Such a program essentially prevents patients with chronic illness from costly emergency room visits. Learn more about the management and system requirements needed to help mobile care programs become the catalyst for change in EMS.
The importance of processing a sexual assault crime scene properly cannot be emphasized enough. Sexual assault cases are actually two crime scenes—one is the location of the occurrence and the other is the body of the victim. These scenes require not only a comprehensive crime scene search, but also swift examination and questioning of the victim. AMU professor Dena Weiss, a 17-year crime scene investigator (CSI), explains the various pieces of evidence a CSI is searching for and collecting as well as how police officers can help preserve key evidence in sexual assault cases.
As part of our month-long focus on building awareness about sexual assault, AMU professor Michael Pittaro introduces us to Sarah Lovell, who survived and recovered from years of sexual abuse and drug and alcohol addiction. Sarah shares her story so others can understand the damage caused by sexual assault and why this crime needs to be prevented and offenders prosecuted. Read more about Sarah’s story and what she’s doing to help others.
The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is on the rise. The CDC reports that 1 in 50 U.S. schoolchildren are diagnosed with ASD, which means more than 1 million children are diagnosed with some form of the neurodevelopment disorder. Considering a person with autism is seven times more likely than a non-autistic individual to need the service of responders, first responders must be prepared to encounter an autistic individual during an emergency situation. In recognition of April as Autism Awareness Month, here are some tips for how emergency responders can adjust response techniques.
In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, American Military University (AMU) faculty and staff members who have extensive careers and expertise in law enforcement will share research as well as first-hand experiences regarding investigative practices. The goal is to help agencies and officers across the country ensure that those who commit sexual crimes are held accountable.
At a dark time in U.S. history, the trans-Atlantic slave trade was at its peak, with more than 12 million people shipped to various nations only to endure punishing labor on farms and in factories, building railroads, and more. “Slavery was abolished 150 years ago and yet there are more people in slavery today than in any other time in our history,” said American Public University System (APUS) professor Michael Pittaro. Today, there are an estimated 21 million victims worldwide and only a small percentage of these victims are reported to authorities.
Human trafficking is a local issue. Read more about why community stakeholders and citizens gathered in West Virginia to learn how to recognize and fight human trafficking at the local level.