Preventing sexual assault has always been an urgent concern for university officials, and Wichita State University’s Midwest Criminal Justice Institute is leading the way with training and workshops for law enforcement and community members to stay informed about this important issue.

"Sexual Assault Investigations in Schools and College Campuses" will take place Thursday, Aug. 28, at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex, Room 132, 5015 E. 29th St. N.

Tuition for the public event is free, but registration is mandatory. Participants will be responsible for their own meals, travel and lodging. For more information, contact Kristin Brewer at 316-978-3345 or kristin.brewer@wichita.edu. Registration forms can be found at www.wichita.edu/mcji.

The training seminar is sponsored by the Midwest Criminal Justice Institute in conjunction with the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office, WSU Police Department, WSU-HR, Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

From 9 a.m.–noon, the seminar will focus on the subject of sexual assault. Topics will include state statutes for sexual crimes, resources available for victims in Sedgwick County, legal aspects of reporting sexual crimes and statutes and an overview of requirements of the new Campus SaVE Act, which all universities must implement by October.

Afternoon sessions will be for law enforcement only. Topics will include victim interviews, collecting evidence, the psychology and behavior of offenders, rapist typologies and profiles, case linkage, defense issues, DNA evidence and the CODIS database and using interview techniques to overcome the “consent defense.”