 Special
Victims Unit
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Special Victims Unit (SVU) was formed and centralized in 1980
to provide a dedicated and specialized response to, and investigative
of, sexual assault and child abuse allegations. Formerly known
as the "Sex Crimes Unit", the name was changed to the
Special Victims Unit in 1998 to reflect the sensitive, personal
and invasive nature of these crimes.
Special Victims Unit personnel are charged with the investigation
of all allegations of sexual assault and child abuse by caretaker(s).
Special Victims Unit does not investigate incidents of sexual
assault in homicide cases but will assist. The purpose of the
incorporation of this specialized unit is to enable the police
department to provide minimally threatening intervention by
specially trained and motivated police investigators. The focus
of sexual assault/child abuse investigations is to establish
all facts, evidence and supporting statements relevant to the
case. Special Victims investigations are intensely personal
and emotionally charged. Fact-finding is conducted by a thorough
and careful assembly of the case from information provided by
the victim and all collateral and corroborative sources of information.
Physical evidence, photographs, DNA materials, clothing, fingerprints,
and records and journals, are collected to provide objective
background to the allegation.
After assembling the facts of the case and establishing probable
cause the case is referred to the District Attorney's Family
Violence and Sexual Assault Unit for review and approval.
UNIT Profile & HOURS OF OPERATION
The Special Victims Unit Line Squad operates 7 days a week,
24 hours a day. This ready availability of investigators allows
for a prompt response to reports of sexual assault and child
abuse.
The Child Abuse section of the Special Victims Unit operates
on a Monday through Friday schedule, working a day and evening
shift. Child Abuse investigators primarily follow-up on referrals
of suspected abuse from cases handled by the Department of Human
Services.
A Megan's Law section maintains a registry of persons who are
required to register as sex offenders and ensures compliance
of these persons with all aspects of their requirement to register
their place of residence.
The Special Investigations section provides back up to all
investigations. They are also charged with identifying, charting
and impacting patterns, conducting extraditions, arranging line-ups,
providing Internet expertise in pedophile investigations and
following up on "cold cases". Special Investigations
personnel work a Monday thru Friday schedule. They are also
available as needed and determined by the Commanding Officer.
Each year the Special Victims Unit investigates approximately
5000 cases. These cases range from incidents of rape and physical
and sexual assault of children to cases of indecent exposure.
Currently the staffing of the Special Victims Unit consists
of just fewer than 100 employees. This number includes investigators
and supervisors.
EDUCATION/COMMUNITY AWARENESS
The Special Victims Unit Victim's Assistance Officer is available
to schools, community groups, individual victims and others
who require information about programs, counseling services
and agencies. Prevention strategies and early education programs
such as "Good touch/Bad Touch" are offered in conjunction
with Women Organized Against Rape.
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since it was posted. Persons should contact a Philadelphia Police
representative whenever relying on dated material or information
that is subject to change. |
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