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from the issue of April 20, 2006
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Officers provide extra assistance for victims of violent crimes
New methods earn kudos for UNL Police
BY TROY FEDDERSON, UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
Raising knuckles to rap on a door, Koan Nissen understands he'll never know exactly what a victim of sexual assault or domestic violence is going through.
But as a victim tentatively opens her door, Nissen and other UNL Police Department officers know a recent training effort - which has drawn university and state awards - is helping provide support and guidance for victims as police pursue those responsible.
"In so many cases, officers take a traditional style of law enforcement with these cases - get a statement, conduct analysis, find a suspect and arrest them," Nissen, a UNL Police officer, said. "But, for us it is a matter of perception. We put ourselves in the victim's shoes, try to gauge what their feelings are, what their needs are.
"It's an interactive approach that helps guide victims to resources, helps them start to heal."
Pursuit of that approach at UNL began in October 2002 when a partnership between the UNL Women's Center, UNL Police and the Rape/Spouse Abuse Crisis Center received a two-year, $200,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. The funds were reserved to support efforts to curb violence against women on campus.
"This was something that Owen Yardley (chief of UNL Police) and the entire department was behind when we applied for it," said Jan Deeds, director of the Women's Center. "Their support was key."
According to Deeds, disparity in statistics between the Rape Spouse Crisis and Abuse Center and UNL Police helped spur support. She said in 2001, the center received 122 calls from individuals identifying themselves as members of the campus community. That same year, UNL Police crime statistics tracked just one sexual assault case.
"A lot of these crimes remain hidden because people blame themselves," Deeds said. "We know these types of crimes happen, but too many go unreported."
Building cases against the perpetrators of sexual assault or domestic violence can be difficult and frustrating.
Due to the stigma and shock of an attack, victims often do not report the crimes immediately after they happen. And if a victim is hospitalized and police are called, the victim can decide not to press charges. Also, all contact with the Rape Spouse Abuse Crisis Center and the University Health Center remain confidential.
To help open doors between investigators and victims, UNL Police provide support first.
"Often times, victims do not trust police or they simply are not ready to open up to an officer," said David Dibelka, a UNL Police officer who coordinated the grant-related training. "So, we take time and refer them to the Women's Center, tell them to talk to these people because they can help get them through this."
Investigators continue to stay in touch with the victims, providing a level of support and comfort. And, when a victim is ready to talk, police are a call away.
"Still to this very day, I talk to victims of these attacks," said Nissen. "Some happened in the past few months, some in the last couple of years. I make time for them because they are important to me and this department."
From conferences he attended as part of the grant, Dibelka developed a four-hour training session on domestic violence. Every officer in the department took part.
Dibelka also worked with the UNL Victim Advocate and Deeds to establish relationships with officers. Dibelka worked with student peer educators from the Women's Center to do mock interviews with officers, allowing them to hone skills in working with victims.
Deeds said Captain Charlotte Evans and Sergeant Tyler Schmidt worked with the Women's Center to develop an anonymous reporting method for victims of sexual assault to help officials get a more accurate accounting of sexual assault numbers.
"All of these efforts made the UNL Police Department a treasured resource for the Women's Center and for the many departments and agencies that are part of the UNL Task Force to End Violence Against Women," Deeds said. "The accomplishments of this department under Chief Yardley's leadership have made a significant and lasting impact on the campus community."
The new procedures earned the UNL Police Department an Oustanding Contribution to the Status of Women Award from the UNL Chancellor's Commission on the Status of Women.
Also, Nissen was recognized individually for his work with victims of crime (mainly in sexual assaults) on campus in the last two years. The award is from the Nebraska Coalition for Victims of Crime.
While the grant expired in 2004, the department continues to build on successes.
"Even after grant funds ran out, Chief Yardley sent me to a domestic violence/sexual assault conference in Baltimore," Dibelka said. "Our committment is still there. And, it's not something that will just go away."
GO TO: ISSUE OF APRIL 20
NEWS HEADLINES FOR APRIL 20
Workers prepare for Big T push
Heaton builds career teaching teachers
New methods earn kudos for UNL Police
Chancellor outlines Unicameral session in universitywide e-mail
Military and Naval Science name change honors Pershing
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