Summary

• Users practice supporting victims of sexual assault while informing them of their options.
• Intended for, but not limited to: victim advocates, counselors, residential directors, student health services, and workers at crisis intervention centers.
• Simulated character moves quickly between various moods and emotional states, forcing users to adapt their communication approaches to every conversation and creating a unique experience with every play.
• Users receive both ongoing feedback on their rapport level and conversation skills with the character and a post-conversation score on their mastery of the learning objectives.
• Created in partnership with experts from the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault and other agencies.

Scenario

• User assumes role of victim advocate at a rape-counseling center, working with a college student named Angela Lopez, who was assaulted in her dorm room.
• Simulation focuses on developing rapport, using support skills, and informing Angela about her options.
• Victim behaves differently in each conversation, based on her emotional state (fearful, numb, or angry) and her level of trust in the user.
• Topics that the user/victim advocate can discuss include:
  • Introducing yourself and your duties as a victim advocate
  • Addressing concerns about victim’s physical needs and well-being
  • Identifying the different reporting options and exam types
  • Listing the different safety options (e.g., protective order)
  • Screening the victim for potential suicidal/homicidal thoughts
  • Explaining the long-term counseling options available for the victim

Learning Objectives

After achieving mastery through repeated conversations, the user will be able to:

• Offer emotional and psychological support to the sexual assault victim
• Explain resources available to address a victim’s short-term and long-term needs
• Inform the victim of safety and medical options
• Avoid conversational pitfalls
• Recognize behavior that suggests the victim intends to harm herself or her attacker

Seat Time

• Approximately two hours of e-learning material.
• Simulated conversations last 15 - 30 minutes.
• The average user will require 5 – 8 hours to achieve mastery of the learning objectives, but can learn the basics in as little as three hours.

The estimate seat time does not account for longer-term "refresher" sessions, which will vary by user.