Model Policy on Staff First Responder Duties

A first responder is the first security staff person to a report of sexual abuse. If a non-security staff member is the first to respond, that person should instruct the victim not to do anything that could potentially destroy evidence.

The staff person immediately separates the alleged victim and abuser, preserves and protects any crime scene, and requests the victim not to take any actions that could destroy physical evidence.

First responders to sexual abuse in progress in or in the immediate past (within 120 hours) should consider the following steps:

• ensure the safety of the victim
• request the victim not to shower, change clothes, or use the bathroom
• move the alleged offender to a secure location
• ensure that physical evidence is not destroyed
• secure the area so that it is inaccessible to unauthorized persons
• secure the evidence until an investigator arrives
• document the incident and actions taken
• prepare to transport the victim for medical attention

First responders to reports of past abuse should:

• listen to the resident carefully and non-judgmentally
• clearly document the key facts: who, what, when, where (parties involved, date and time, address or location, contact information)
• report to supervisors and/or managers
• limit information to those who need to know
• involve investigators and medical and mental health staff

The Oregon PREA Training curriculum Unit 4 (PPT), slides 33-41, covers first responder duties.

Resources:

OYA PREA First Responders Checklist
Multnomah County PREA Incident Report
Douglas County PREA Checklist
First Response Flowchart 1
First Response Flowchart 2
Initial Report Flowchart

PREA Standard 115.364
Back to PREA Standards