Event Details:

WORKSHOP 1 (9:15 AM -10:15 AM)

Who wants to talk about child abuse? No one! Addressing the intersections of epistemology and implicit bias in child abuse investigations.

Speaker: Jason Lundquist

Statistically, most people don’t abuse children. This causes problems, particularly among professionals who respond to reports of child abuse. Often, they can’t or don’t want to conceptualize the behaviors of both offenders and victims. In this brief workshop, Sergeant Lundquist will discuss epistemology (not knowing what we don’t know) and implicit bias, give case examples, and highlight best practice
techniques to overcome these challenges.

Holding the Space: How to Help Someone Who Has Experienced Trauma When You Don’t Feel Equipped.

Speakers:AshleyDawn Sheppard and H. Xavier Reveles

This presentation will provide skill-based training about how to talk about trauma in a way that supports an individual rather than re- traumatizes an individual. Attendees will be given a brief overview of
the way in which traumatic experiences influence a person’s emotional, cognitive and somatic states, and one’s concept of self and others. Attendees will learn the crucial role supportive people play in
helping a child heal and develop in a healthy way. Special focus will be given to how to create an environment of trust and support to encourage openness and sharing. In addition to skills training, H. Xavier Reveles and AshleyDawn will conduct role plays to show how these skills can be implemented.

 

WORKSHOP 2 (10:25 AM -11:25 AM)

Interviewing Juvenile Sex Trafficking Victims
Speaker: Janetta Michaels

This module will address the fundamental and most critical component of investigations involving child/adolescent victims of commercial sexual exploitation- the interview of the victim. Participants will learn about the FBI’s forensic interviewing protocol and how it is utilized when interviewing these
victims. Victim dynamics and barriers that impact the victims’ reluctance to disclose will be addressed. This module will provide participants with tools and skills necessary to identify and overcome the challenges of these difficult interviews.

Ethical and Legal Considerations for Helping Professionals Working to Support and Protect Children
Speakers: Dr. Jennifer Nivin Williamson and Dr. Wen-Mei Chou

Professional helpers and teachers are usually the first people who encounter a child’s cry for help. Helpers sometimes feel unsure about the actions they need to take to protect children. This presentation, will address helper’s ethical and Texas’ Legal requirements in protecting
children’s well being. The audience will utilize this knowledge to learn about signs and red flags that may indicate child abuse. The audience will also learn strategies to employ during complex situations, such as handling manipulative parental custody battles, facing the fear of tearing families apart, and working with individuals that display borderline personality traits.

 

WORKSHOP 3 (11:35 AM -12:35 AM)

Roadless Traveled: Bottom Girl to State Witness
Speakers: Kim Clark and Julia Walsh

This presentation will follow the case of a DMST victim who was picked up in Waco, Texas, transported to Corpus Christi, and trafficked. A Detective will present how she traveled over 100 hours to collect evidence for the case, showing where it evidentially led to the “bottom girl” turning into a crucial state witness. The “bottom girl,” now a Survivor, will explain how the process led her out of “the game” also strengthened her ability to trust the system in helping her begin the healing process and grow into a strong survivor.

Llama Llama Red Pajama: What is this thing called Trauma?
Speakers: Elizabeth Timmons and Telawna Kirbie

Recognizing and responding to the effects of Trauma in Children.