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SPECIAL
VICTIM’S UNIT
THE SPECIAL
VICTIM’S UNIT
is responsible for investigating cases
of sexual assault involving children
and/or adults, extreme cases of
domestic violence, extreme cases of
child abuse, and non-fiduciary elder
abuse within the unincorporated
areas of San Luis Obispo County.
Though 2020 has been a challenging
year with COVID-19 and assisting in
multiple homicides, the Special
Victims Unit continued to proactively
investigate crimes.
The unit also assists outside agencies
in their investigations. The investigation
of physical and sexual abuse
cases is highly specialized and
requires expert training as mandated
by the California Penal Code. Investigators
also provide training to
mandated reporters of child abuse,
community groups, and the military.
The Special Victims Unit investigators
handle an average of over 200 cases
per year as they relate to child and adult
sexual abuse and assault, elder abuse,
and child pornography. Individual cases
can take several months to fully investigate
and can last up to a year or more in
the court process.
In 2020, these investigators:
• Assisted in child forensic
interviews, homicides, and
other investigations outside of
sexual assault
• Assisted in search warrant
preparation and service
• Worked with crime lab
forensic technicians in
analyzing electronic/computerbased
evidence as it related to
child pornography cases
• Worked with Crime Lab
technicians to analyze
physical evidence
In addition to their caseload,
community training and educational
outreach are necessary priorities of
our Special Victims Unit.
THESE SPECIALIZED
TRAININGS HAVE ASSISTED
RISE (RESPECT, INSPIRE,
SUPPORT, EMPOWER)
ADVOCATES WHO PROVIDE
SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF
SEXUAL ABUSE AND
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SART
(SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE
TEAM) NURSES, AND OTHER
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS.
LEAD THE WAY ANNUAL REPORT 2020
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