Twelve detectives from the crime division of the Bermuda Police Service have embarked on critical training this week to do with sexual assault. The training is hosted by the Sexual Assault Response Team, which includes nurse examiners, the Bermuda Police Service, the Department of Child and Family Services and The Centre Against Abuse.

The course is being facilitated by Kathy Bell, a forensic nursing administrator for the Tulsa Police Department in Oklahoma, along with local experts that included nurse Rebecca Madeiros, and Gaynell Hayward-Caesar, the chief nursing officer, and Detective Inspector Mark Clarke.

“Sexual assaults are by their very nature extremely emotive and touch a nerve within our community,” Sean field-Lament, the Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police, said. “The Bermuda Police Service is very aware of the importance of addressing these crimes in a timely, sensitive and professional manner. Police ability to effectively investigate sexual assault reports goes to the heart of reinforcing public confidence.

“We are dedicated to continuing the professionalising of our investigative processes with this comprehensive sexual assault training. Kathy Bell is a leading expert in this field and has been assisting the BPS for over ten years. We are expanding our capacity and capability in conjunction with doctors and nurses from the medical profession to create a pool of investigators and sexual assault nurses.

“Crimes of this nature historically have issues with under-reporting. Hopefully, with the increased levels public confidence in the Police, we will see an increase in reporting. This training is positioning the BPS and our partners to deal with future cases.”

This training provides Bermuda the opportunity to further protect victims from additional victimisation through an educated and professional responses.

Some of the modules include:

• Rape myths and facts

• Victim and family perspective

• Drug-facilitated sexual assault

• Strangulation and bites

• Neurobiology of trauma

• Critical injured/homicide, patients/unconscious

• Important post-pubescent literature

• Peer review

• Domestic violence evaluations

• Evidence and kit collection

Det Insp Clarke said: “The partnership with sexual assault nurse examiners, the Police and our community partners has resulted in a quality of care that ensures comfort to victims and their families. The effectiveness of this partnership strengthens our strategic intent to ensure a safer Bermuda.”

The course will conclude on Friday afternoon with an exam followed by a certificate of completion presentation.