Resource Overview and Purpose
IDVSA researchers created these five evidence-based videos as victim-centered resources to enhance coordinated community sexual assault response efforts. These innovative and practical tools build off the successful original CORSA project and support training and education for a broad range of Texas professionals, including municipal and campus law enforcement, prosecutors, victim services professionals, and advocates.
The information on this web page with links to the videos is available as a downloadable PDF as well.
Videos and Descriptions
Neurobiology of Trauma in Sexual Assault Cases
How do someone’s body and brain respond after they experience the trauma of sexual assault? There has been much scientific advancement in neurobiology in the past decade. This video incorporates that science and examines the symptoms or expressions of a victim’s trauma, such as fight-flight-freeze-appease responses, inconsistent statements, or lack of emotion. It also offers guidance and techniques for professionals when responding to or interviewing victims, such as the vital role of sleep, the value of sensory-based questions, and how to normalize trauma symptoms.
Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Assault
Sexual violence is a hidden yet common and complex aspect of intimate partner violence (IPV). This video gives professionals an understanding of the intersection of IPV and sexual assault, including the role of shame and the importance of assessing safety. It also offers an approach for professionals and the justice system to take when responding to situations that involve multiple forms of violence and holding offenders accountable; insight into the calculations victims make when deciding whether to leave an abusive partner; and guidance on how to support victims in pursuing their definition of justice.
Alcohol and Drugs in Sexual Assault Cases
Half of reported sexual assault cases involve alcohol and drug use by either the victim, the perpetrator, or both. This contributes to victim-blaming and incomplete accounts of an assault. While alcohol and drug use do not cause sexual assault, they can increase the risk of assault and be a tactic a perpetrator uses to target a vulnerable victim. This video explains the role of alcohol and drugs in sexual assaults. It offers guidance to professionals on how to handle critical components in these cases: gauging consent and impairment, locating documentation, and the importance of expert testimony.
Sexual Assault Response Collaboration
When professionals collaborate and trust one another, the sexual assault response system in a community works better to support survivor healing and offender accountability. This video describes the importance of partnerships—and best practices for making them successful, such as regular communication and personal interactions. It includes an overview of the critical roles law enforcement and community advocates play in responding to sexual assaults and guidance on establishing formal groups, such as a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).
Sexual Assault and Consent
There is a myth that a “real rape” involves a violent attack by a stranger as a victim screams “no!” but non-stranger sexual assaults (such as by a friend, acquaintance, date, or former/current partner) are more common. This video defines and details what consenting and not consenting can look like, especially when the victim knows the offender. It includes guidance for professionals on conducting a thorough investigation, what evidence to collect and questions to ask, approaching both victims and suspects, and the importance of using thoughtful language to avoid victim-blaming.
For More Information
This set of videos complements the additional CORSA and CORSA II resources created by IDVSA, including decision cases and briefing sheets.
