Stereotypes and assumptions, unconsciously and unintentionally, can influence how people perceive and consequently act toward others. Let’s face it – most of us can relate to feeling judged by others based on their assumptions about our appearance, profession, group memberships, what we believe, and where we live.  

Unintended assumptions can significantly influence an officer's beliefs and perceptions. This can result in less thorough investigations of domestic violence and sexual assault (DVSA), as well as inadequate support resources for victims. By recognizing and addressing the effects of these unintended assumptions through updated policies and actions, an agency can provide more effective support and safety for victims.  

The sections below provide examples of agencies in three stages of development:  

Lagging Behind, when an agency does not have a formal policy or the practices are outdated and/or harmful; 

Making Progress, when an agency uses practices that are considered the minimum standard; and  

Leading the Way, when an agency has researched promising practices and implements best practices tailored to the needs of victims. 

  • DVSA and related policies or training may be nonexistent or outdated. 

  • Officers make assumptions about victim and offender behaviors based on stereotypes. This may lead to missed investigative leads, misinterpretation of evidence, victim distrust, and other obstacles to a thorough investigation. 

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  • ​​Policies and training are updated as needed but remain generalized.  

  • The agency conducts general training on implicit assumptions and stereotypes, but does not explicitly address the potential impact of these on DVSA investigations. 

  • Reliance on stereotypes and assumptions is generally addressed in policy, but the relationship between myths and misperceptions and real DVSA crime dynamics isn’t fully understood.   

  • DVSA and other policies are updated as needed or as laws change, but are also proactively reviewed and revised (if needed) on a regular, recurring schedule. Department personnel understand that assumptions and stereotypes are a part of the universal human experience and are applied to domestic violence and sexual assault investigations. 

  • Agency personnel understand that assumptions and stereotypes are a part of the universal human experience, and understand how they have the potential to adversely impact DVSA investigations. Department training includes the dynamics of sexual assault and GBV, the neurobiology of trauma, collection of evidence, proper coding, etc. 

  • Agency personnel understand the similarities and differences between the dynamics of DVSA and other crimes.  

  • Training addresses, at minimum, the dynamics of DVSA offense and victimization, the neurobiology of trauma, trauma-informed investigation methods (e.g., evidence collection, interviewing, interrogation), proper case coding, and report-writing considerations for DVSA cases.  

  • Training includes all levels of agency personnel, including line level through command staff and civilian personnel such as dispatchers, analysts, and victim advocates. 

  • Training is designed to challenge assumptions and stereotypes as a strategy to improve fact-finding, case outcomes, and victim recovery. 

  • There is a culture and expectation of understanding victim and suspect behavior and dynamics.  

Explore the resources below for guidance on how to move beyond “Lagging Behind” and “Making Progress” to “Leading the Way.” These resources assist in learning more about where assumptions and stereotypes come from and how to mitigate their impact:  

This project was supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-22-GK-04008-MUMU, awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed on this page are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Justice.