New team investigates sex crimes, helps victims

Mary Jo Lessmeier

The effort was successful, says Duane Papke, associate director of the department. Jeff Betts, an SCU officer, took reports from the victims, and later in the investigation, public safety sergeant Derek Hyche followed up on a tip that ultimately led to an arrest. The alleged perpetrator is being held at the Johnson County Jail and is awaiting prosecution.

The SCU, which had been slated to debut Aug. 20, was set into motion in the fall of 2000 by department director Chuck Green. Seven officers were chosen to undergo special training to investigate sex crimes and help victims.

The new team consists of Mary Jo Lessmeier, a public safety sergeant who coordinated the training; public safety sergeants Hyche, Dave Visin, and Cindy Heick; and public safety patrol officers Betts, Alton Poole, and

Peter Berkson. Members have attended special conferences and reviewed old cases to see what did and did not work. They also worked with several campus and community agencies to coordinate efforts.

The Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) at UIHC, the Rape Victim Advocacy Program (RVAP), the Johnson County Sexual Assault Response Team, and the Johnson County Attorney’s Office have contributed to the officers’ training, which Papke says will be ongoing.

“The goal is to tie these organizations and agencies together to have a total package response when these types of crimes are reported,” Papke explains. “In any crime, the sooner we know about it, the better and that is especially key in sex crimes, where time can be a factor. If, for example, the survivor has consumed drugs—perhaps unbeknownst to them—we need to move quickly to preserve the evidence. It’s also important that the survivor go to UIHC and see a SANE nurse.”

Team members meet monthly to discuss cases and share ideas. With seven staff members on board, the SCU is designed to provide for at least one member on duty to handle reports. Such reports, Papke says, are confidential until charges are filed.

“Sometimes a survivor chooses not to continue with the investigation—for any number of reasons—but we encourage the survivor to allow us to collect and document evidence so that we have everything we need in case the survivor decides to go forward,” he says.

“SCU members will aid survivors in making informed choices, especially early on, and make sure that other agencies are involved. They’ll also provide information on victims’ rights, and if a student survivor needs new housing or a new class schedule, we will assist them.”

According to public safety officials, the SCU was not created due to an increase in sexual assaults. In fact, newly released crime statistics for 2000 indicate a decline in forcible sex offenses reported on campus—from 12 in 1999 to 6 in 2000.

“Statistics were not a motivating factor,” he explains. “Previously, we only had one investigator with expertise in this area, Sgt. Lessmeier, but she can’t be here 24 hours a day. A university community of our size deserves that type of expertise around the clock, so we started asking ourselves how we could provide better service.”

Michael Shaw, RVAP youth services director, says the SCU is a timely and important advance in supporting survivors.

“We know that women are more likely to report to law enforcement and follow through with an investigation when there is a coordinated response among trained and experienced law enforcement professionals, sexual abuse victim advocates, and sexual assault nurse examiners,” Shaw says.

“We also know that feeling supported and believed can have a significant positive impact on the healing process of survivors.”

Complementing the unit is crime prevention specialist Brad Allison, who makes educational presentations to residence halls, orientation sessions, job fairs, and Weeks of Welcome events and informs students about the SCU.

For more information on the SCU, contact the Department of Public Safety at (33)5-5022.

Article by Sara Epstein