Wednesday, March 18, 2020

7:00-8:00 AM REGISTRATION

8:00-8:25 AM WELCOME

8:30-9:25 AM KEYNOTE

Sovereignty, Spirit, and Justice: Honoring the Needs and Safety of Indian Survivors
Simon Moya-Smith, Writer, Grants, NM

Sadly, Native Americans are the smallest racial minority in the U.S. What’s more, Native American women are 2.5 times more likely to sexually assaulted than women of any other demographic, and 80% of the abusers are non-Native. Why, then, are Natives sidelined in the conversation about domestic abuse and sexual assault? What are the consequences the children face? This will be a frank discussion about the continued attack on Native American bodies, particularly women. As a result of attending this session, participants will be able to:

• Examine trauma exposure.
• Discuss the tools for reconciling such exposure.
• Describe how to create a sustainable individual and collective culture.

9:25-10:10 AM KEYNOTE 

Pending

10:10-10:25 AM KEYNOTE 

Pronouns: Everything You Wanted to Know in 15 Minutes or Less!
michael munson, Executive Director, Forge, Milwaukee, WI

Pronouns. We used them every day, in nearly every sentence. He, she, they, and other personal pronouns are critical in showing respect and basic human acknowledgment of another person. For trans and non-binary individuals, these little words make a huge difference in whether or not a survivor feels safe or welcome enough to even come through the door to receive services. This fast-paced session will provide tips and tricks to help us all use the correct pronouns. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Name two non-traditional / non-binary pronouns.
• List two strategies for successfully asking and using another person’s pronouns.
• State one tactic of handling pronoun mistakes. Practice introducing yourself and asking others about their pronouns.

10:25-10:45 AM BREAK

10:45-12:00 PM WORKSHOPS

W1. Cold Case Investigations and the DNA Database
Dr. William Watson, Chairman NMDIS / Administrator NMDIS Administrative Center, APD Crime laboratory/New Mexico DNA Database, Albuquerque, NM
Amanda Wild, MS, Albuquerque Police Department, Albuquerque, NM

This course is designed to assist law enforcement and advocates in utilizing DNA analysis and cold case investigation techniques to address sexual assault evidence kit backlogs. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Attendees will understand the DNA Database and how it operates to support the CJ system
• Understand the investigative procedures needed to work cold case sexual assault cases
• Identify the roles of an Advocate in the investigation process

W2.Cross-Racial Movements for Change
Kiran Katira, Director, UNM Community Engagement Center, Rio Rancho, NM
Kay Bounkeua, Executive Director, NM Asian Family Center, Albuquerque, NM

The history of the U.S. is grounded in cross-racial movements for racial, social, economic and political change. Why would we think that the movement to end violence in all its forms would be any different? The question then becomes, how? Taking lessons from already existing best practices as well as critical pedagogy, this session will provide hope grounded in an understanding of our agency in addressing the root causes of inequities that result in violence. As a result of attending this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify some of the root causes of violence in society
• Unpack ways in which cross-racial movements for change can address some of these root causes
• Explore our personal and collective agency in the process of addressing root causes

W3. Everyone Has a Plan Until You Get Punched in the Face: Real Life Resiliency Training and Self Care
Jose Maresma, Human Performance Coach, Embodied Spirit Therapies, Albuquerque, NM

In this session, we will explore the science and art of resilience. How internal and external environments impact our performance and relationships. Participants will walk away with a real foundation of how to “train” for the toughest sport we play-LIFE. As a result of attending this session, participants will be able to identify:

• How challenges impact our minds
• How we can create space to better “show-up” in our lives
• How self-care is the foundation of an extraordinary life experience

W4. Transgender inclusive domestic violence services (It’s easier than you think!)
michael munson, Executive Director, Forge, Milwaukee, WI

Every survivor has a unique story. Yet, victim service agencies often know little about transgender survivors of intimate partner violence or their stories. This workshop will share qualitative survivor and provider experiences, as well as quantitative data about the barriers, needs, successes, and strategies of working with transgender survivors who seek shelter or other healing services. This highly interactive workshop will support providers in identifying areas within their agency where they can make small and large changes – in attitude, behavior, and approach – that will improve their ability to effectively and successfully shelter and support transgender and non-binary survivors. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Describe one trans-specific prevalence statistic about victimization and how it relates to the need to effectively serve transgender survivors.
• List three barriers trans survivors face when trying to access shelter or other domestic violence services.
• Identify two areas within your agency where changes could be made to make services more welcoming, respectful, and accessible to transgender survivors.

 12:00-1:00 PM LUNCH (provided)

1:00-2:15 PM WORKSHOPS

W5. The Importance of Wellness
Sarita Parra Loehr, Director, The Solutions Group, Albuquerque, NM

One-third of your life is spent at work. That’s 90,000 hours over a lifetime. There is one universal truth. Everyone wants to live their best life. So how can we make the most of the time we have? The Solutions Group has an answer to this question. Learn about the importance of wellness and why everybody needs it. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Describe what workplace wellness should accomplish.
• Illustrate the dimensions to defining wellness.
• Explain why everybody needs wellness.

W6. Using Telehealth Technology to Reach Rural Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence
Wendy Miller and Megan Setter, LMSW, CCTP, Program Manager, Genesis: A Place of New Beginnings, Waynesville, MO

Domestic and sexual violence can be particularly dangerous in rural communities. This presentation examines the reality of rural life, explores the specific barriers rural victims encounter when seeking services and how your agency can use videoconferencing technology to help them access services. The presenters will share their successes and challenges with utilizing a HIPAA compliant, telehealth videoconferencing platform to provide case management and therapy services to clients in their community. The training covers best practices for developing and implementing safe service delivery with this technology. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Illustrate common barriers rural survivors face when seeking services from domestic and sexual violence service agencies.

• Explain how telehealth technology can eliminate some barriers preventing rural survivors from obtaining services.
• Describe best practices for implementing videoconferencing technology into service delivery.

W7. The Under-Recognized Epidemic of Traumatic Brain Injury in Victims of Domestic Violence
Mark Pedrotty, PhD, Psychologist, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

Screening for and treating traumatic brain injury (TBI) is essential given the epidemic of TBI in victims of domestic violence. The five-question HELPS screening tool provides a way to discuss the possibility of TBI. Developing interventions that can be provided immediately and over time improves communication, trust, relationships, self-esteem, self-advocacy, mood, resiliency and participation in programs for victims. Providing tools and resources to health professionals can improve job satisfaction, empathy, and competency. Participants will learn the basics of TBI, the effects of TBI, how to screen for TBI, and some basic interventions to help victims manage the effects of their TBI. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Describe the mechanisms, types, and effects of TBI.
• Describe the HELPS screen for brain injury.
• Describe eight interventions and how to create a support plan to manage brain injury.

W8. #MeToo, Forgiveness, and Restorative Justice
sujatha baliga, JD, Director, Restorative Justice Project at Impact Justice and MacArthur Fellow, Berkeley, CA

In this workshop session, we will explore the following questions: What does it mean to forgive someone? To forgive myself? When is it appropriate to ask for forgiveness? Is there someone in my life I would benefit from forgiving? Once the decision has been made to forgive, what are some practical methods for moving toward a true experience of forgiveness? The session will also utilize meditation focused on breath observation and somatic exercises in which participants will locate where in their bodies they feel resistance to, or comfort with, the concepts we explore. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Becoming more familiar with non-carceral approaches to sexual violence.
• Exploring the value of forgiveness in healing from sexual violence.
• Understanding the need to respect survivors’ own journeys in forgiveness.

2:15-2:30 PM BREAK

2:30-3:00 PM KEYNOTE

A Different Path for Confronting Sexual Assault
sujatha baliga, JD, Director, Restorative Justice Project at Impact Justice and MacArthur Fellow, Berkeley, CA

This presentation shares why the speaker, a survivor of child sexual abuse, campus sexual assault, and rape, left the practice of law and its winner-takes-all approach for the field of restorative justice. She will share how restorative processes invite truth-telling on all sides by replacing punitive approaches to wrongdoing in favor of collective healing and solutions, and how she seeks to help build a world in which restorative justice is available to all survivors who want to engage in it. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Describe restorative justice.
• Discuss why survivors might opt for restorative justice over available legal system approaches to addressing sexual harm and violence.
• Explore the promises and potential pitfalls of addressing sexual harm and violence through restorative justice.

3:00-4:00 PM KEYNOTE

On Becoming Whole: From Self-Care to We Care
Desiree Magsombol, JD, Clinical Services, Partnership Development, Communications, Lumos Transforms, Hawaiian Gardens, CA

Stress and trauma divide us– on the individual level, it separates the body, mind, and spirit, whereas on the community level it separates the individual, organization, and community. Yet more often than not, this is the place from which many of us live and operate. Explore the process of returning to wholeness after experiencing vicarious trauma and burnout by sharing Desiree’s experiences working with prison and rape crisis centers to support incarcerated survivors of sexual violence. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Recognize the impact of trauma on advocates through an ecologically sensitive perspective.
• Identify factors that support advocates’ resilience.
• Explore organizational and institutional roles in preventing trauma.

4:00-4:30 PM KEYNOTE

Bringing Youth Voice to the Child Trafficking Multidisciplinary Response
Elizabeth Bouchard, Associate Director, The Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County, Boston, MA

Youth leaders in Boston want their message to be heard. This workshop brings input and advice of the Support to End Exploitation Now (SEEN) Youth Advisory Board for Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) members investigating and providing services for exploited youth. What matters most in the first conversation? What is helpful? What doesn’t work? The workshop offers concrete recommendations from youth leaders for MDT members and incorporates case examples and personal anecdotes to bring guidance to life. The presentation will help prepare first responders to meet high risk and exploited youth “where they’re at” in a long-term recovery process. Gain knowledge and insight from young survivor leaders as well as strategies to enhance their work as part of a child trafficking MDT. Key learning objectives for this session are to:

• Discuss youth experiences with, and the importance of youth involvement in, Child Trafficking MDT interventions.
• List two recommendations from CSEC survivors for Multidisciplinary Team responders.
• Explain the importance of interpersonal support within a comprehensive response to commercial sexual exploitation of children.

6:00-7:45 PM EVENING ACTIVITY
Paint Night

$15 per participant

You must register and pay on-line HERE.
Please join us for a memorable evening of art, music, and fun!