Achieving Cultural Change to Eliminate Sexual Assault

1. Achieving Cultural Change to Eliminate Sexual Assault Building on knowledge, research & promising best practices

2. Insider Threat

5. Before we begin…a test

6. So…how did you do? Why did you select who you selected? Do all sex offenders select the same victims? Which of these victims would be more believable than the other?

7. The story… My intentions were not to rape her at first. Once we met at the restaurant and she made it clear she was not there for sex, I raped her. I used the factual basis of what happened to make her look as though she was lying. As almost all sex offenders, I had a “pretend normal” that was almost flawless. At work I was fair, level-headed and a hard worker. I presented myself as a dedicated, loyal, kind person and never lost my temper with employees. I did not try to have sex with employees or customers and was supportive of their needs. Underneath that was a very selfish and self-centered person who was only setting the stage for others to see what I wanted them to see.

8. I was honest and admitted that we had met at a bar, and in fact, she followed me back to restaurant in her car. I had given her my business card at the bar. She had several drinks with me at the restaurant and she walked away at her own will – so I said. I took all the truths and turned them on her. Used personal information that she shared to build a story in my defense. Information about her boyfriend, girlfriends and other statements. I “wove” a story that was not only believable, but probable. When friends and employees were questioned, I had already groomed them and manipulated them into making me out to be a nice guy and the victim of this “barfly”, that it was she who was ashamed because she had a boyfriend and was only trying to cover up the fact that she had slept with somebody. I was very willing to talk with police and investigators and take a polygraph. Notonly believable… But PROBABLE

9. There’s more that we don’t know than what we do know… We are experts in a few things and ignorant about most things (Me, 2013)

10. There is only so much blame to go around… Victim Blaming • Behavior • Responsibility • Character • Social expectations/morals/bias’

11. Sex offender prevalence • The chances of being caught for a sexual offense is 3 percent (Abel et al, 1988) • One study showed 44 percent of woman had either been victims of rape or attempted rape (Russell, 1984,2000) • 561 sex offenders admitted to more than 291,000 sexual offenses with more than 195,000 victims – could fill two and a half Superdomes (Abel et al, 1987) • 23 offenders in an incarcerated treatment program admitted to about 3 victims each – following polygraph they admitted to an average of 175 victims each (Van Wyk) • Only about 5 percent of all rapists ever spend a day in jail (Saulter, 2003) • Adult sexual assault prevalence – Women 22%, Men 3.8% (Elliot, Mok, Briere, 2004)

12. Forcible Rape in the United States – Women over 18 Years of Age 97,000 Men 683,000 1 8 7 1 Tjaden& Thoennes, 1998 78 1.3 National Victim Center

13. Gelb, 2007

14. Registered Sex Offender The “Justice Gap” for Sexual Assault Cases: Future Directions for Research and Reform, Lonsway and Archambault, Violence Against Women, 2012 18(2) 145-168, 2012

15. If we do not change our direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed

16. Red Flags…? Attitudes of accepting violence against women/men Hostility towards men/women Narcissistic personality traits Early abuse Conflictual home environments General anti-social tendencies Promiscuity Impersonal sex Impulsive Aggressiveness Manipulative Irresponsible Infidelity

17. Red flags…? Secrecy is the venue of a Predator Expresses abnormal obsessions Intrusive Disrespectful Terrorizing Isolating Attempts to promote dependency Takes advantage of others vulnerability Hyper-masculine Egocentric Aggressive Immature Irresponsibility, negligence, lack of self-discipline, or difficulty in achieving goals

18. Previous research on sex offenders Most of the historical research on sex offenders was gained from research known/incarcerated offenders…the ones that were caught If we want to continue on the path we are on (majority of sex offenders are never identified/believed/caught) we should stick with what we think we know If we want to prevent sexual assault we must look beyond the bias and beyond the known/incarcerated offenders So how do we do that? We already are…

19. Big Five Personality Traits 38 Men (7.29%) reported rape 31 Men (5.95% reported sexual assault 424 Men reported no perpetration at all Voller, Long (2010)

20. Surprise! Sexual assault perpetrators were more similar to non-perpetrators than to rapists Rape perpetrators endorsed significantly lower levels of excitement seeking when compared to both sexual assault perpetrators and non-perpetrators - say what? Perpetrators of sexual aggression DID NOT reveal higher scores for hostility or impulsivity The only difference found between sexual assault perpetrators and non-perpetrators was the facet of depression with sexual assault perpetrators endorsing higher levels of depression

21. Sex offenders are as individual as they are individual Sexual assault is a complex interaction of many individual factors, including personality and experiences

22. ALL behavior is functional

23. Crime and Behavior Begin here Intent

25. The Surreptitious Sex Offender A.K.A. Undetected Sex Offender/Rapist (Dr. David Lisak) • Plans & premeditates attacks • Uses multiple strategies to make victim vulnerable • Uses alcohol deliberately • Increases violence as needed • Does not use a weapon • Uses instrumental, not gratuitous violence • Has access to consensual sex • Comes from all racial & ethnic groups • Is not mentally ill

26. Serial Rape by Undetected Rapists 1,045 offenses • Serial Rape Study – Boston Area (Lisak, 2005) • 1,882 men assessed – 120 rapists • 44 single act rapists – 44 rapes • 76 serial rapists – 439 rapes & attempted rapes • Serial rapes – 91 % of all rapes • …in addition…these 76 men also committed • 49 sexual assaults • 66 acts of physical abuse against children • 277 acts of sexual abuse against children • 214 acts of battery

27. Research on surreptitious rapists • Implications for the investigation • There are no specific profiles that characterize surreptitious rapists • Surreptitious sex offenders are significantly different from rapists who prey on strangers • Most surreptitious sex offenders have multiple offenses with no contact with police • Many have sophisticated and smooth personality styles • If accused – they will smoothly focus conversation on the behavior of the victim and undermine her credibility to set up a “consent” defense • Will discuss the victim’s use of drugs or alcohol, promiscuity, or even prior “false” allegations

28. PUP The ThirdPersona • First Persona • Second Persona Third Persona

29. Are you fooled?

30. So…what do we look for? Remember – most of these behaviors will be hidden in the 3d persona Stalking/predatory behaviors Inappropriate comments – sexist behaviors Highly sexualized – sexually hyper-masculine Exploiting vulnerabilities of others “Ladies” man -Playa Compulsive behaviors Substance abuse Inappropriate behaviors… you know what “wrong” looks like Others?

31. Sex Offenders • Come from all walks of life, all ages, all cultures & religions, and both genders • Often commit many types of sex offenses and other crimes • Most are serial sex offenders • Offend for numerous reasons • Most are nice, kind, empathetic, and caring (on the outside) • Most are masters of deceit • Most are not caught • Most will re-offend again 99% like you and I

32. Common Challenges • Lack of physical resistance • Tonic Immobility • Delayed reporting • Inconsistent or untrue statements • Lack of victim cooperation • Recantations • Feelings/fears of doubt or blame • Tension Reduction Behaviors • Past and/or present conduct (sexual or otherwise) • “He said, She said” Desired outcomes of the offender Isolated Crime

33. Immediate Post-Assault Effects • Disorganization, loss of control of mind and body • Intrusive memories, nightmares • Flashbacks: Reliving or reenacting experience • Extreme emotions vs. numbing, dissociation • Fear and hyper-vigilance vs. calm and denial • Guilt, shame • Shock, disbelief • Irritability, angry outbursts • Depression, suicidal thoughts, self-destructive acts • Sleeplessness, fatigue • Physical pain (Hopper, 2012)

34. Stronger predictor of PTSD > Sexual Assault Combat Trauma e.g., Kang et al., Ann Epidemiol, 2005, 191 Compared to those [female veterans] without a history of sexual assault, women veterans were 9 times more likely to have PTSDwith a history of military sexual assault (Suris, 2004)

35. Association of Sexual Assault and Suicidal Activity Female college students reporting a history of sexual assault were nearly five times more likely to have attempted suicide in the past year when compared with female students reporting no history of sexual abuse (Tomasula, et al., 2012) Male students with a history of sexual assault were nearly ten times more likely to have attempted suicide in the past year when compared to other male students with no history of sexual assault(Tomasula, et al., 2012)

36. Male Sexual Assault Victims – The Pain Behind the Mask (ulinity)

37. Victim Perpetrator • Terrified, overwhelmed • Amygdala in control • Attention and thoughts driven by perpetrator actions • Behavior controlled by emotional reflexes and habits from childhood (incl. abuse) • Not stressed • Prefrontal cortex in control • Thinking and behavior: • Planned • Practiced • Habitual

38. Tonic Immobility • Tonic immobility is characterized by pronounced verbal immobility, trembling, muscular rigidity, sensations of cold, and numbness or insensitivity to intense or painful stimulation (Marks, 1991) • Tonic Immobility is induced by conditions of fear and physical restriction, although it can also occur in the absence of the latter, so the important aspect may be the perceived inability to escape (Heidt, Marx, & Forsythe, 2005) Up to 44 % of Sexual Assaults

39. Collecting Psychophysiological Evidence in Trauma Cases Smells Sounds Sights Experience Flashbacks Tonic Immobility Terror Incapacitation Nausea Feelings Memory Gaps Trembling

40. “Forensic Experiential Trauma Interview” (FETI) Victims should not be treated as witnesses to their own crime • This unique advanced interview technique, developed by USAMPS, combines the best of child forensic interview techniquesalong with the principles of critical incident stress debriefings and new neurobiology research to obtain not just the who, what, why, when, where, and how of the incident, but also the three dimensional experiential aspect of the crime. This process solicits and documents critical forensic physiological evidence. Based on feedback from the field this new technique has already shown to be substantially more effective in obtaining information and substantially more beneficial evidence which results in more successful prosecutions of sexual assault cases. The FETI technique is also being trained by our Army trainers to Federal, State, and local civilian agencies and has been embraced as a promising best practice.

41. A Paradigm Shift Forensic Experiential Trauma Interview • Acknowledge their trauma/pain/difficult situation • What are you able to tell me about your experience? • Tell me more about … or that… • What was your thought process during this experience? • What are you able to remember about…the 5 senses • What were your reactions to this experience • Physically • Emotionally • What can’t you forget about your experience? • What was the most difficult part of this experience for you? • Clarify other information and details…after you facilitate all you can about the “experience” • Closing Creating a culture of helping victims come forward

42. The most important RED flag of a sex offender is… A report of sexual assault

43. Organizational Culture Change Amplified by Leader Behavior

44. “Responsive & Responsible”Leader Recommendations Take ALL reports of sexist & sexual assault behaviors seriously regardless of the perceived reputation or credibility of either the reported victim or suspect. Take appropriate action on ALL reports of misconduct and criminal behavior All professionals must recognize their own limitations on detecting deceit and judging character. Recognize there is more than we don’t know than what we do know…and respond accordingly. Screen personnel in sensitive and key positions, complete background checks, behavioral health screenings, etc. Take a close look at what we are doing to prevent and respond to violence…not pet rocks…identify what’s working and what’s not…explore new ideas…then summon some strength and CHANGE…yourself, the system, the…

45. Culture change must be…personal…to everyone… all the time