February 6th – 8th – 2019 Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) Summit

Experiences in childhood mater. 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 stress and trauma. Now that we have the research, what can we do about it? Terms such as the cycle of violence, generational poverty and generational abuse are absolutely related to ACEs. Strategies such as identification and assessment of adverse experiences, reducing risk and exposure, nurturing resiliency and skills building are effective interventions to stress, trauma and abuse. Changing the negative course that many children are on is our way to prevent abuse in future generations. Please join us to increase your knowledge of ACEs, understand the impact of trauma and leave with ideas to reduce stress for children.

The outcome of many child abuse cases depends on the ability of the prosecutor to argue the facts to the jury. In this workshop prosecutors and child protection attorneys will learn the art and science of effective strategies and themes for opening statements and closing arguments in child abuse cases. Students will learn a theme for presenting their case. They will learn specific arguments to persuade a jury that a child is telling the truth. They will learn to debunk common defenses in child abuse cases.

Technology is evolving everyday! As such, knowledge, awareness, and prevention related to technology threats must also evolve. By acknowledging technology as an area of possible concern, assessment and exploration should take place in efforts to keep our children safe. Similar to the historical safety message of “stranger danger”; as the world progresses, so must our methods for safety in this capacity. Considering the unlimited and immediate access offered by a variety of devices and mediums; no longer is safety just a concern as it relates to predators literally within an arm’s reach of youth and children. Instead, opportunities such as a forensic interview can be used to explore these additional potential threats and concerns. Recently, there has been an increase in dialogue surrounding conversations of images, both videos and picture, and often times the inclusion of social media- but more progress is needed for inclusion about those things ranging in between; from cyber dating and cyber stalking to sex trafficking, sextortion, enticing and more.

Co-presenter: Jessica LaBore, Investigator, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Department and Ina Newton,Family Advocate, First Witness Child Advocacy Center

This session will discuss research-based best practices for how to interact with families at all steps in the investigative interview process. Presenters will address how to effectively message with non-offending caregivers in pre and post investigative interview interactions. Incorporating the perspectives of law enforcement, social workers, advocacy and forensic interviewers, this session will give teams and investigators a better sense of what families may need from investigators through the child abuse investigation process, how to have effective communication with families and will provide tools and sample language for messaging around common questions, concerns, and difficult situations.

Interviewing children and teenagers who have been sexually victimized can in itself be challenging, but it can be especially challenging when the child/teen does not see themselves as a victim, but rather feels that they are in a loving relationship with the offender. The feelings they have can often create blocks to disclosure that can be difficult to overcome. Kim Skidmore will offer suggestions on how to ask questions in a way that can gather helpful investigative information without further complicating the emotional challenges the victim already faces and will include lecture, case study and video clips to assist in the learning process.

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 will strengthen relationships. Throughout the justice system from disclosure to verdict can be triggering traumatizing and re-traumatizing for victims and families. This session will share 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.

A glimpse into the tortured life of 3 year old Audryna began with a 911 call made on 10/28/14 of a child having a seizure. Law enforcement and medical personnel that responded could immediately see that this child was emaciated and covered in trauma. At hospital admittance it was discovered that Audryna had an extremely high level of sodium that doctors believed caused the seizure which eventually led to Audryna’s death. The investigation that followed showed the torture that Audryna endured at the hands of her biological father and his girlfriend including the discovery that she was likely force-fed salt which ultimately caused her death which was listed as fatal child abuse. The investigation also showed that Audryna was the “targeted child” in the family. The entire MDT worked to bring justice for this little girl that had been failed by so many in her life and to protect the other children in the family. In the end the sentences received by the two suspects left most of the MDT team feeling disappointed and frustrated with the justice system.

Co-presenter: E. Paul Jones

The lack of education on legal proceedings leaves counselors and forensic interviewers unprepared to serve as a competent witness, and incapable of representing the victim adequately. Being poorly informed about aspects of the judicial system places counselors at risk for ethical violations, including violating confidentiality and not protecting the welfare of clients. In this presentation, the essential areas of knowledge and skills are described that counselors and forensic interviewers must have prior to testifying in court.

This presentation will study the dynamics of forced labor, including those surrounding sexually exploited children. It will reveal investigative techniques as well as how to successfully prosecute these types of cases.

This presentation will provide a protocol for establishing and implementing education/prevention programs for elementary age students (K-6) through their school districts and for teenagers through partnership with their faith based communities. We will explore how to build the credibility and trust you will need to open these doors to your program. Participants will also receive practical models of form letters, scheduling spreadsheets, power point presentations and disclosure tracking forms to facilitate the organization of their program.

This workshop is intended for all levels of professionals who are involved in the investigation and prosecution of child abuse. We are working in a continually changing field, and it is critical that direct service providers stay abreast of the current research affecting our work. This workshop will provide a general review of recent research affecting child abuse investigations and prosecutions, and challenge the attendees to relate this information to their current practices in the field.

“Trauma-Informed Practice” has become a buzzword in many fields, including education, mental health, healthcare, corrections, legal, and more. But what does it really mean, and are there concepts that apply in these diverse fields? This training explores what truly equips people and organizations to provide trauma-informed and effective care by looking at relevant information and research. It identifies facets of a trauma-informed organizational culture and value systems that reach to students/clients/families, staff, organizations, and systems/communities.

This presentation will identify some of the drugs that are used to facilitate sexual assaults. We will look at some of the similarities and differences in the substances used. Investigative techniques will be examined. We will also look at the impact the assault has on the victim, and proactive measures one can take to prevent future occurrences.

Discussing the diversity of family units within inter-generational migrant families. Present American views of family values that increase the likelihood of depression and separation anxiety among migrant children. Discuss the normalization of racism inflicted by Americans and first generational migrant families towards secondary migrant families and beyond. Identifying coping skills for children and parents impacted by forced or self initiated separation.

While most funders require their programs to have a logic model, many do not understand how to use them in promoting program success and sharing lessons learned with other programs that work with sexually exploited youth. In this hands on workshop, participants will learn how to use their logic models to improve programming, inform stakeholders about their program, train new staff and volunteers, be accountable to their program’s design and outcomes, and share findings with others. Participants are strongly encouraged to bring their own logic models so they can reference and revise them. Examples from the Minnesota Safe Harbor initiative will be used throughout the presentation for those who do not have their own logic model.

Professionals are faced with many challenges when interviewing adults and children whose first language is not English. It is critical in determining what language in which to conduct the interview and when is it necessary to utilized an interpreter. It is just as important determining who are the best interpreters for the interview and maintaining control of the interview.

Co-presenter: Andrea Clemens Vaughan, KidSafe Facilitator, KidSafe Foundation

Safety is promoted as the number one priority for all schools and child serving agencies yet the topic of sexual abuse prevention and the need to teach personal safety are often not addressed. This presentation provides must have information for all professionals working in any capacity with children. We will provide a language of safety to use with children and families, and how to prevent, recognize and report abuse. Sexual abuse survivor, Andrea Clemens, will share her story of educator sexual abuse as she educates participants on how to be the first line of defense in a child’s safety.

A new look in strategies with strangulation, child victims, and including the MDT. How to look at strangulation as the danger it is. What happens to children that see and hear the abuse-are they really victims?. And Branching out from conventional thinking to include the MDT in these cases.

The ACE Conversation is a structured approach to the sensitive conversation with people we serve in our communities about the relationship between toxic stress, long term health outcomes and protective factors. This is an important public health message we can deliver across numerous sectors in the community. Research data which examines parent and professional perspectives to having this conversation will also be presented.