Thursday, March 19, 2020

7:00 – 8:00 AM REGISTRATION

8:15 – 8:30 AM WELCOME

8:30 – 9:30 AM KEYNOTE

Resiliency 101: From Victim to Survivor
Julie Brand, Principal, CAPER Consulting (Child Abuse Prevention, Education, Recovery), Henderson, NV

Some victims of childhood abuse perpetuate the cycle of violence; yet others grow to be safe, nurturing adults. Some choose to become the rescuers and healers—social workers, victim advocates, therapists, physicians and police officers. Why do some victims lose decades of their lives to drug addiction and other self-destructive behaviors while others turn out to be healthy, stable, well-functioning adults? How can we influence which path they will follow? This dynamic, upbeat program identifies seven key steps that can help victims to overcome trauma and to develop a “survivor’s perspective.” Attendees will learn how to use the “language of resiliency” to identify and to reinforce victims’ strengths thereby positively impacting both their self-perceptions and their life scripts. Participants will learn how to foster resiliency in their clients’ lives and also in their own. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Describe three of the key steps that can help victims become survivors.
• Explain how both awareness and empathy are necessary for the transition from victim to survivor.
• Give two examples that demonstrate how to use the “language of resiliency” in working with victims.

9:30 – 10:00 AM KEYNOTE

Healing Justice and Radical Self-Care: Sharings from Circle Gatherings
Corrine Oqua Pi Povi Sanchez, Executive Director, Tewa Women United, Santa Cruz, NM

In this session, the presenter will share lessons from year one of a project engaging 18 organizations from a local to a national level who are focused on environmental justice, reproductive justice, and gender-based violence through a healing justice lens and approach. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Participants will learn a brief history of healing justice.
• Participants will learn themes that have arisen from these 5 circles (TWU, Local, State, National, and Engaging Men & Boys).
• Participants will learn how healing justice and radical self-care might be applied to your work.

 

10:00 – 10:30 AM KEYNOTE

Delivering Justice for Human Trafficking Survivors
Clara Moran, Chief Deputy Attorney General, Office of the New Mexico Attorney General Albuquerque, Albuquerque, NM

This session details case studies of successful prosecutions by the Office of the Attorney General to provide a prosecutorial perspective and a survivor-centered approach to case development and presentation of complex and high profile human trafficking cases.  Strategies for alleviating trauma for child and adolescent survivors of sex and labor trafficking will be highlighted in the context of individual cases at the investigative, prosecutorial, and trial stages of criminal cases. A behind the scenes look at interactions between prosecutors and survivors of trafficking will be discussed and demonstrate the need for trust-building and collaborative preparation at every stage of a case. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Illustrate a prosecutorial perspective on preparing and presenting human trafficking cases at trial.
• Discuss case studies demonstrating the need for evidence-based prosecution to alleviate trauma to survivors.
• Explore successful multidisciplinary approaches to evidence collection and presentation in human trafficking cases.

10:30 – 10:45 AM BREAK

10:45 – 12:00 PM WORKSHOPS

TH1. The Safe & Together Model – Intersection of Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment
Heidi Rankin, MPA, Associate Director, Safe and Together Institute, Denver, CO

This session introduces the Safe & Together Model’s set of concepts, tools, and practices to improve how agencies, communities, and individuals respond to domestic violence where children are involved. You will learn about gaps and challenges related to domestic violence cases involving children, the importance of applying a perpetrator pattern-based approach, and how partnerships with adult survivors are critical to domestic violence-informed practice. You will also learn how to improve assessment addressing perpetration as a parenting choice and giving mothers full credit for their protective efforts. You will be introduced to the practice principles and critical components of the Model and how they can help make a difference in case practice. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Learn the importance of a perpetrator pattern-based approach to domestic violence and children.
• Learn about the role of partnering with survivors.
• Learn about perpetration as a parenting choice.

TH2. The Best Kept Secret: Mother-Daughter Sexual Abuse
Julie Brand, Principal, CAPER Consulting (Child Abuse Prevention, Education, Recovery), Henderson, NV

Mother-daughter sexual abuse is especially under-recognized, under-researched and under-reported. This unique workshop describes the complex mother-daughter incestuous relationship—the subtle, yet intentional violations of normal mother-child boundaries, covert and overt abuse and the psychological manipulations used to keep victims silent. Attendees will learn ways to include mothers as potential perpetrators in prevention programs and in sexual abuse investigations. Six key therapeutic issues for victim recovery will be identified. This dynamic program is research-based and survivor-informed—enriched by correspondence with and/or interviews with over 70 adult daughters of sexually abusive women. The presenter is both an experienced counselor and a resilient survivor of maternal incest. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Describe two interpersonal characteristics of the incestuous mother-daughter relationship.
• List three behavioral “red flag” indicators of potential mother-child sexual abuse.
• Identify three therapeutic issues critical to victims’ recovery from maternal incest.

TH3. Transformative Advocacy for Survivors from Historically Marginalized Communities
Rosie Hidalgo, JD, Senior Director of Public Policy, Casa de Esperanza, Washington, DC

While gender-based violence occurs across all racial, ethnic, and economic groups, it is important to recognize that survivors from Communities of Color, Native American survivors, and those from other underserved communities, including immigrant, LGBTQ, and individuals with disabilities, often face intersecting issues that have a disproportionate impact on historically marginalized communities, compounds the barriers and risks, and impacts access to services, safety, and well-being. This workshop will explore issues of intersectionality and what it means to develop a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach to engaging in transformative advocacy. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Analyze the intersections of abuser-generated risks, life-generated risks, and systems-generated risks
• Identify ways to develop trauma-informed approaches that focus on survivors’ strengths and enhance resiliency
• Explore ways to develop proactive policies and enhance more comprehensive safety planning and community engagement

 

TH4. Steps Towards Wholeness: Stress Management Tools for the Busy Advocate
Desiree Magsombol, JD, Clinical Services, Partnership Development, Communications, Lumos Transforms, Hawaiian Gardens, CA

As professionals serving survivors of violence, we face challenges inherent to working in a highly stressful field. Join us as we expand from “On Becoming Whole: From Self-Care to We-Care,” for this hands-on workshop. Together, we will review the neurobiology of stress and relaxation cycles, practice mindfulness and movement tools, and explore ways to integrate these tools into our daily work. This way, we can begin to improve our ability to stay in empathy with clients, while reducing our potential harm from vicarious trauma and growing our capacities to address burnout. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Begin to develop an embodied awareness of their personal stress and relaxation responses for improved co-regulation and empathy.
• Apply an ecologically sensitive lens when interpreting stress.
• Select and utilize appropriate regulation skills to regulate persistent and/or distressing stress system activation.

12:00 – 1:00 PM LUNCH

1:00 – 2:15 PM WORKSHOPS

TH5. What about Our Boys? Understanding the Challenges Facing Male Victims of Sexual Abuse and Assault
Julie Brand, Principal, CAPER Consulting (Child Abuse Prevention, Education, Recovery), Henderson, NV

Society is still in denial that males can even be victims of sexual assault. This ignorance serves to block males from self-disclosing their victimization and may even keep “mandated reporters” from reporting sex crimes involving male victims. Ignorance and minimization of the problem impede male victims’ opportunities for intervention, legal recourse and for recovery. Male victims can experience overwhelming gender bias when disclosing sexual abuse, whether their perpetrator is male or female. This program discusses male sexual victimization, the unique challenges men face and the myths that keep male victims silent. We’ll examine the stats and facts and learn how “The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study” validates what many professionals have long believed about both the frequency and the resulting trauma of male sexual victimization. Male victims—whether as children, adolescents or adults—often find it humiliating and mortifying to divulge their sexual abuse, especially by female perpetrators. We’ll explore the added challenges for male victims of both familial (such as mothers, aunts, sisters) and non-familial (teachers, neighbors, family friends) female sex offenders. We’ll offer specific trauma-informed approaches to working with male victims—from disclosure to therapy. Resources for male survivors will be shared. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• List three myths about sexual abuse and explain how these untruths can make it more difficult for male victims to seek help.
• Describe “The Adverse Childhood Experiences” (ACE) Study findings of the frequency of male sexual victimization, the gender of the perpetrators, and the long term effects on victims.
• Give two examples of how to use “trauma-informed care” to support male victims.

TH6. Regulate Then Educate!
Donna Lucero, LPCC, Training Institute Director, All Faiths Child Advocacy Center, Albuquerque, NM

This workshop illustrates the connection between trauma and its impact on regulation and relationship and academic, social and behavioral struggles, as well as successes. Explore a simple antidote to the impact of trauma that is surprisingly at the fingertips of anyone at any time. Discover current research and perspectives from neuroscience and connect to day-to-day experiences with the impact of trauma. Develop a greater understanding of trauma’s impact on all aspects of life and why childhood trauma is a public health issue with lasting impact. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Explain the impact of trauma on brain function and structure with emphasis on the profound impact on the organization of the brain and the profound impact related to self-regulation.
• Demonstrate how to use a trauma-informed lens to help guide interventions to drive understanding and integration and trauma responses.
• List three tools and strategies that can be implemented to assist and support people impacted by their trauma response.

TH7. Tailoring the MDT Response: Elevating Youth Voice and Isolating Risk
Elizabeth Bouchard, Associate Director, The Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County, Boston, MA

To detect child victims of commercial sexual exploitation (CSEC), particularly when youth are not able to self-disclose, youth-serving professionals are often trained to identify “red flags” of possible CSEC. This presents a challenge for multidisciplinary response teams: How to tailor the team’s collective approach to help non-disclosing youth feel safe and provide them with opportunities to be heard. This workshop expands on topics covered in the keynote, Bringing Youth Voice to the Child Trafficking MDT. The presentation utilizes case examples and offers recommendations from youth leaders in Boston to guide child trafficking multidisciplinary interventions. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Explore “red flags” and indicators of possible CSEC based on new research.
• List and discuss recommendations from CSEC survivors for Multidisciplinary Team responders.
• Identify strategies to tailor CSEC multidisciplinary team prevention and intervention efforts to the needs of individual youth.

TH8. Creating Trauma-Informed Spaces for Victims and Families Throughout the Justice System
Jane Straub, Victim Assistance Specialist, Zero Abuse Project, Province, MN

After learning about Adverse Child Experiences (The ACE Study), most professionals want the next steps. Creating trauma-informed space and training staff to respond to behaviors linked to trauma strengthens relationships. The justice system from disclosure to verdict, can be triggering, traumatizing and re-traumatizing for victims and families. This session shares steps to improve the environment in order to create safe spaces, recognize and identify behaviors that impact disclosure to testimony and ensure that clients feel listened to and their experiences acknowledged. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Describe how trauma may impact disclosure and cooperation with the justice system.
• State two ways to create/change or update environments to become trauma safe.
• Explore three strategies and tools to enhance relationships with victims and families.

2:15 – 2:30 PM BREAK

2:30 – 3:45 PM WORKSHOPS

TH9. The Murder of April Tinsley: How Genetic Genealogy Solved a 30-Year-Old Cold Case
Detective Brian Martin, Fort Wayne Police Department, Fort Wayne, IN

Explore how Detectives used genetic genealogy to investigate and prosecute the abduction, rape, and murder of 8-year-old April Tinsley. Det. Brian Martin will profile the “April Tinsley” case, explaining and highlighting how genetic genealogy was used to identify the unknown killer and how Detectives were able to arrest and successfully prosecute the killer. The killer left messages and four separate taunting letters that contained polaroid pictures and used condoms bragging about the killing and vowing to kill again. The taunting letters were left at the homes where young girls lived. This case was unsolved for 30 years; using genetic genealogy the killer was identified and arrested in six weeks. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Gain an understanding of methods and strategies involved with how to use genetic genealogy in their investigations.
• Describe how the use of genetic genealogy can be a tool for cold case and active homicide investigations.
• Address how to overcome obstacles for a successful criminal prosecution.

TH10. Harm and Resilience: Intersectional Realities of Transgender Survivors
michael munson, Executive Director, Forge, Milwaukee, WI

Age. Race. Disability. Geography. Employment. Education. Socioeconomic status. Health insurance. Religion. Citizenship/immigration status. Family Acceptance. Level of isolation. Friendship circles. Gender vector. ACE scores. These factors and many, many more, play a role in transgender peoples’ lives – predicting their exposure trauma and harm, their ability to access to healing services, and their ability to thrive. This workshop will interactively explore trauma and resilience and the hundreds of intersections in the lives of transgender and non-binary survivors. The workshop will end with practical tips every agency can implement. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Articulate two intersections and how transgender communities are impacted by violence that you had not known before this workshop.
• List three health conditions that are more prevalent among transgender survivors.
• Name three concrete action steps an agency can take to improve services to transgender survivors.

TH11. ACE Study – Adverse Childhood Experiences: Identify, Intervene and Interrupt
Jane Straub, Victim Assistance Specialist, Zero Abuse Project, Province, MN

Experiences in childhood matter. Numerous research studies have shown how childhood stress and trauma can impact adult health. The ACE Study is the largest study investigating the health and social effects of negative childhood experiences. Now that we have the research, what can we do about it? The cycle of violence, generational poverty and abuse, homelessness, substance abuse, incarceration, perpetration and victimization of violence are all related to ACE’s. Strategies such as identification and assessment, reducing risk and exposure and nurturing resiliency and skill-building are effective interventions. Changing the negative course that many children are on is our best way to prevent abuse in future generations. This presentation will increase your knowledge of trauma and provide ways to work with children, families, and communities to reduce the impact of trauma. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Identify types of child maltreatment treatment and adversity and the link to health in adulthood.
• Describe how stress response system activates fight, flight or fear and becomes conditioned over time especially in high-stress situations.
• Explain the concept of trauma-informed care and how it creates safety for those impacted by violence and trauma.

TH12. The Safe & Together Model – Intersection of Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment (Repeat)
Heidi Rankin, MPA, Associate Director, Safe and Together Institute, Denver, CO

This session introduces the Safe & Together Model’s set of concepts, tools, and practices to improve how agencies, communities, and individuals respond to domestic violence where children are involved. You will learn about gaps and challenges related to domestic violence cases involving children, the importance of applying a perpetrator pattern-based approach, and how partnerships with adult survivors are critical to domestic violence-informed practice. You will also learn how to improve assessment addressing perpetration as a parenting choice and giving mothers full credit for their protective efforts. You will be introduced to the practice principles and critical components of the Model and how they can help make a difference in case practice. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Learn the importance of a perpetrator pattern-based approach to domestic violence and children.
• Learn about the role of partnering with survivors.
• Learn about perpetration as a parenting choice.

TH13. Finding Nadia: The FBI International Parental Kidnapping Investigation Spanning 20 Years and 4 Countries
Jennifer Romero, MCJ, Victim Specialist, FBI, El Paso, TX

In 1996, one-year-old Nadia Rougebianni was kidnapped by her father. This abduction was eerily foreshadowed by an Unsolved Mysteries segment in which the subject of this investigation, Omar Rougebianni, acted in the role of a father who abducted his child from El Paso, Texas in the same manner that Omar would do so himself just a few years later. For over 20 years, Nadia’s mother, Lupe, law enforcement, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) searched for her. Twenty-one years after her abduction as an infant, Nadia was located in Germany, having no idea that she had been taken from her birth mother. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Demonstrate international interagency collaboration and provide insight on this crime from every angle, from investigation to recovery and reunification.
• Discuss investigative strategies used in the location of the victim across 4 countries.
• Illuminate the critical role that the FBI Victim Services Division and NCMEC played in notifying the victim and reuniting her with her mother.