• To catch the assailant if they are still at the scene of the crime.
  

• To provide you with or request emergency medical care.

• To gather information from you to determine if what happened meets the elements of sexual assault, recover forensic evidence, secure the crime scene, and locate the suspect.

• To preserve the crime scene and evidence.

• To prepare the necessary reports for the investigation by a detective who specializes in sexual assault crimes and to direct you to medical attention.

The purpose of the interview is to get an honest and detailed account of the assault to investigate and prosecute the case. Tell the simple truth and be as accurate as possible with details. If you can't recall something, just say so. Don’t guess or speculate. Withholding any information can hurt the investigation and prosecution of your case.

It’s natural to want to avoid recalling details of the assault, and some questions may seem intrusive and embarrassing. You may worry about being judged, or be concerned that telling the police about some things, such as if you were drinking alcohol or using drugs, may make you look bad or get you in trouble. But keep in mind that nothing about what you did or how you behaved gave anyone the permission or right to sexually assault you.

For the purpose of a police investigation we recommend that a report be made as close to the time of the incident of sexual assault or abuse as possible, since this is helpful for evidence collection. Some cases may also not be able to proceed in criminal court after a significant amount of time has passed since the incident. However, in many cases of delayed reporting, investigation and prosecution are still possible. And even if an investigation and prosecution isn’t possible, a delayed report can have positive effects, including informing the police of an offender in the community.

Please contact The Sex Abuse Treatment Center at 808-535-7600 (office), via ########web chat#########, or 808-524-7273 (24-hour hotline) if you would like to discuss delayed reporting of an incident of sexual assault or sexual abuse.

A program called the Children's Justice Center coordinates the reported cases of child sexual assault. Interviews of children may be conducted at the Children's Justice Center facility, which is a comfortable, home-like place with age-appropriate rooms.

As children do not always relate events as directly as adults, more than one interview by a detective may be needed before the child feels safe discussing the incident. Often, interviews with children are videotaped or observed from behind a two-way mirror. This is done to reduce the need for re-interviews by others involved in the case. Detectives receive specialized training in working with child victims and are aware of the extra care and sensitivity required. A child psychologist may be brought in to assist the detective when interviewing a very young child or one with special needs. A SATC crisis worker is also present at the Children's Justice Center to provide support for the child victims and to the family at the time of the forensic interview.