The Need for Victim-Centered Training byPolice and First Responders

When I grew up I was always taught that the police are your friends.  If you ever need help, go to the police.  The job of the police is to serve and protect.  So, let’s begin here.  The other day I got into a minor fender bender in a parking lot.  The other party said it was minor so we’d take care of it on our own.  It didn’t work out that way so I called the Fagatogo police station that evening and asked them what I needed to do.  Because it was late I was told to visit the nearest station the next day to file my statement.  Well, I couldn’t make it the next day because of important meetings I had to attend, but I did go the following day.   
​
Understanding what victims of domestic/sexual violence go thru
What happened next made me think about, what victims of domestic/sexual violence must go through when they are looking for assistance from law enforcement or first responders.
As a victim advocate, I know what an effective response should look like.  In this case, it was not that.  Before I even sat down the officer was already shaking his head.  I had not even open my mouth to explain why I was there before he told me he was going to give me two citations. 
Why was I being treated like I was a criminal?
I was still shaken up and very nervous from the accident.  After all, it is not every day that a person gets into a minor fender bender, I did not know the process.  I thought I was doing the right thing yet why I was being treated like I did something wrong.   
He said, the two citations are for 1) because I got into a car accident and 2) because it was more than 24-hours after the incident.  I told the officer, “But it wasn’t my fault.”  He said it doesn’t matter. 

Lack of understanding of the system
I then said, “Show me where does it say all this, that I get 2 citations?  I have never heard of this before.  I came to you for assistance.  You didn’t pull me over somewhere.”  It was then that he ordered me to leave the station immediately, which I did.
I ended up going to Fagatogo police station, Traffic Division, the next day.  They said the same thing.  When I said that I needed to file a statement for the police report for the car insurance company they said no, I’m not allowed to.  They said, “tell it to the judge if you decide to fight the citation.” 
   
Re-victimization
I felt that was a terrible experience.  The officers seemed cold and unemotional to me, and I was never asked if I was okay.  I was never asked if I needed help. I was never asked if I understood what was available to me. I was more traumatized by the process than by the incident.
At the Alliance office where I work, I have interviewed victims of domestic/sexual violence and when asked why they didn’t report to the Police, one victim/survivor commented, “I didn’t know what to feel or do, it was complete confusion.”  Others have commented they didn’t report because, 1) they get the run-around (e.g. told to go to agency a, b, c, and d) 2) victim-blaming, 3) being threatened to be taken to jail, 4) lack of trust in the system, 5) lack of confidentiality and 6) re-victimization. 
*If you are a victim of domestic/sexual violence or know someone who is a victim there are community advocates available.  It is important that they have a victim advocate who is familiar with the system and can be a voice for them and provide support and assistance. For more information contact Mona Uli, at the Alliance 699-0272 or email:asadsv@gmail.com