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The Science Of Neurobiology Of Sexual Assault Trauma And The Utah Legal System, Donna Kelly, Julie L. Valentine

Faculty Publications

Sexual assault triggers a cascade of physiological responses in victims, commonly referred to as the neurobiology of sexual assault trauma. Victims often report the inability to move or resist, memory loss, and loss of our altered feelings of consciousness – reactions which often negatively impact the perception of their credibility. Recently, the criminal justice system has begun to connect these normal, physiological responses in understanding common victim behaviors and responses. As knowledge of the neurobiology of sexual assault trauma disseminates throughout the criminal justice system, it is readily apparent that education, new protocols, and trauma informed interview techniques are required. …