SAFVIC for Telecommunication Professionals

The true first responder in any emergency is the Telecommunication Professionals whose primary objectives are to respond to calls appropriately and ensure victim and officer safety. The Sexual Assault and Family Violence Investigators Course for Telecommunication Professionals (SAFVIC for TCPs) is designed to provide 911 call-takers around the state with the tools they need to effectively identify and facilitate sexual assault and family violence calls.

The SAFVIC program is funded by a grant from the Criminal Justice Division of the Governor's Office and the National Violence Against Women Office. This program was developed in 2001 by Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA) as a course for law enforcement officers and is now administered by the Training and Research Institute for Professional Law Enforcement (TRIPLE). In 2008, SAFVIC for TCPs was developed in an effort to expand the training to Telecommunication Professionals who are often the vital link between the victim and the responding police officers.

This new program was created by a statewide steering committee comprised of representatives from telecommunications, law enforcement, prosecution, medical services and victim services. The SAFVIC for Telecommunication Professionals program consists of a comprehensive 8-hour curriculum covering crucial aspects of telecommunication professionals' response to these calls. The program uses a network of certified instructors to deliver the training on a local basis, thus providing more telecommunication professionals access to this very important training. Students attending the SAFVIC for TCPs will receive 8 hours TCLEOSE credit. The curriculum will include the following topics:

• Statistics and History of Sexual Assault and Family Violence
• Dynamics of Family Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, and Human Trafficking
• Special Consideration when Taking Calls From Members of Vulnerable Population
• Understanding Victims & Safety Planning and Protective Orders
• How 911 Calls are used in Prosecution of Crimes
• Best Practices
• Texas Laws

Click here if you are insterested in becoming a SAFVIC for TCPs Instructor.