V-STEP: THE MYTH OF FALSE REPORTS

This is a 2.5 hour training that aims to identify the commonly held myths about the prevalence, as well as the reporting, of sexual assault to the criminal justice system.

TITLE: The Myth of False Reports

DATE and TIME:

Wednesday February 18, 2025 ~ 9:00 AM EST - 11:30AM EST

SUMMARY:

This training pulls back the cover and explores the commonly held myths about the prevalence, as well as the reporting, of sexual assault to the criminal justice system. It illustrates how this category of crime, along with other areas of intimate partner violence, are unfairly discounted and not believed from the outset. It provides an analysis of what professionals have done to enhance and perpetuate this myth, as well as what should be done to correctly address these missteps, correct the misguided procedures of the path, and make the law keep its promise.

OBJECTIVES:

• Provide and discuss the FBI definition of False Report

• Set the record straight with respect to the incidence of false reports of sexual assault to the criminal justice system

• Review the foundation upon which the myth of false reports with respect to sexual assault has been built

• Discuss the problematic factors (as listed by law enforcement) that arise in these cases in comparison to the realistic dynamics of sexual assault cases

PRESENTER: Dave Thomas, Program Manager, International Association of Chiefs of Police

Dave Thomas is a Senior Law Enforcement Consultant primarily providing training and technical assistance in areas pertaining to intimate partner violence. Additionally, he addresses use of force, community/law enforcement engagement, the coordinated community response, and multidisciplinary teams, and hate crimes recognition and response.

Most recently Dave served as a Program Manager at the IACP primarily focusing on projects pertaining to the National Law Enforcement Leadership Initiative on Violence Against Women (funded by OVW), the Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias in Law Enforcement Response to Victims Demonstration Initiative (funded by OVC) Action, and Justice: Strengthening Law Enforcement Response to Domestic and Sexual Violence National Demonstration Initiative (funded by OVC), and Law Enforcement and the Communities They Serve: Supporting Collective Healing in the Wake of Harm Demonstration Initiative (funded by OVC).

Dave retired from the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) in December of 2000 on full disability after 15 years of service. He received his bachelors’ degree from Towson University, his masters’ degree from the University of Maryland, and a Certificate in Advanced Trauma Treatment from the Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy Training and Education. During his law enforcement career Dave taught at the Training Academy, served on the S.W.A.T. team, was a Hostage Negotiator, and a member of the Domestic Violence Unit. In addition to helping create the Domestic Violence Unit, he was responsible for the department’s curriculum development in domestic violence training, as well as the policy development on domestic violence related issues. At the time of his retirement, he was honored to have been the 2nd highest decorated officer in the department’s history receiving numerous awards including the silver medal of valor, the bronze medal of valor, policeman of the year, and the Women’s Alliance of MD Domestic Violence Advocacy Award to name a few. Upon leaving the police department he served as a Senior Advisor to the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention Victim Services Unit as a Domestic Violence Specialist. In January of 2002 he signed on with the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Division of Public Safety Leadership where he served as the Program Administrator for Domestic Violence Education as well as teaching courses related to violence against women crimes in the Divisions Police Executive Leadership Program.

In addition to his teaching duties, Dave worked with community stakeholders in the spirit of the coordinated community response to deliver training and technical assistance on issues pertaining to intimate partner violence. These services were provided at the local, state, and national levels. Dave has taught in the US Virgin Islands, and internationally in the Ukraine and Bulgaria. Mr. Thomas received the 21st Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award from JHU in January 2004, was honored at the White House as a 2012 Champion of Change and appointed by the White House to serve as a Public Delegate to the 2013 United Nations Commission on the Status of Women meetings held in New York City. Just prior to joining the staff of the IACP, Mr. Thomas served as the Senior Advisor, Highly Qualified Expert Law Enforcement, SES, to the U.S. Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office out of the Pentagon. Dave continues to challenge himself in his quest to achieve excellence in the field and considers addressing violence against women his calling in life.

TRAINING CONTACTS:

Anne Milun, VASIII, Program Manager, 410-837-5055, alitecky@ubalt.edu; Cherie Peay, Program Coordinator at 443-600-1621, cpeay@ubalt.edu; and Nicole Feldhaus, Technician, 410-274-4655, nfeldhauslitecky@ubalt.edu

Certificate of Training, Social Work CEUs and Academic Credits:

RVAAM selected curriculum has been approved for specific professions (e.g. social work, law enforcement, corrections, probation/parole) Upon completion of an online evaluation form, participants are welcome to request a Certificate of Training; Social Work Category I Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and/or academic credits. All participants are eligible to receive a Certificate of Training (1 credit per training hour).

ROPER VICTIM ASSISTANCE ACADMEY OF MARYLAND

Victim Services Training Enhancement Program (V-STEP)…Bringing Crime Victim Training and Certification to Maryland Communities.

Victim Services Advanced Trainings (V-STEP) are held virtually and in 5 regional locations across Maryland. Roper Victim Assistance Academy of Maryland (RVAAM) provides basic training twice a year (40 hour curriculum). For more information, please contact Anne Milun, V-STEP Program Manager for information or to schedule a training for your agency or organization.