Workshops

Research continually reveals survivors’ negative experience when seeking help in spite of the fact that both interpersonal and institutional support are both known to make a positive difference in recovery after abuse. Being believed, validated, supported, and properly resourced is important and the presence of support improves outcomes that leads to healing, growth, and resilience. Institutional courage is the antidote!

This workshop will highlight the unfortunate encounters of betrayal when seeking assistance for domestic violence from a variety of entities including advocates, counselors, law enforcement, healthcare, teachers, banking, and the courts. This isn’t to discredit those organizations, but to shed some light on experiences in order to improve service delivery and ways to focus on what leads to the more positive outcomes. While success for all survivors cannot be guaranteed, work toward improving institutional and community conditions that allow them to heal with a willingness to change the systems they themselves are involved in can certainly take place.

While sexual and domestic violence is a major problem in our society, the issue of interpersonal violence against individuals with disabilities is even greater than it is for others. Some estimates reveal that people with disabilities are twice as likely to experience violent victimization. Often, people working in both victim services organizations and disability services organizations have difficulty acknowledging how commonly individuals with disabilities are victimized and may not be knowledgeable or equipped to provide proper advocacy for this population.

This workshop will provide the tools and support necessary to become a strong and effective advocate for individuals with disabilities. The presenter will share the key components of serving and supporting victims of crime who have disabilities. With over 38 years of combined service as frontline advocates, prevention educators, and non-profit leaders, attendees will hear from real-life experiences that will hopefully leave them feeling inspired, energized, and ready to move to the next level as an advocate.

Often, victims and survivors look to faith-based communities for guidance and healing after abuse. Yet, repeatedly, these spaces prove to be the least safest place to disclose. Pastors and leaders lack formal training, structures for reporting and responding are often non-existent in the local church setting, and victims are frequently disbelieved, blamed, and/or their circumstances minimized or completely suppressed.

This workshop aims to raise awareness, equip advocates in Christian, faith-based communities, and mobilize communities to effectively care for survivors of abuse within the faith-based context. Additionally, topics such as understanding the reality, the role of clergy and community, practical steps for churches, stories of impact will be discussed.

When providing victim services, advocates often meet survivors where they are—whether they are living with ongoing abuse where the focus would be on harm reduction and safer daily living, or they are preparing a safer escape plan. Whatever the scenario, a successful approach emphasizes practical, survivor-driven choices, tailored to each moment and circumstance, with documentation that supports autonomy and informed decision-making.

This workshop centers on helping victims and survivors build safety plans for the life they are living, using decision trees and careful documentation. The presenters will share strategies on how to apply decision trees to identify options, assess risk, and choose steps that enhance safety without presuming immediate separation. Additionally, the presenters will explore how to balance harm reduction with proactive planning, recognizing that safety needs and goals change over time. The workshop will also cover essential components of protective strategies, including orders of protection, considerations for children, and planning for pets, ensuring a holistic approach to safety.

Anchored in self-determination and self-efficacy, the workshop also highlights how survivors define safety for themselves and determine the pace and direction of their plans. By combining practical planning tools with survivor-centered documentation, advocates will be provided actionable skills to support ongoing safety, resilience, and empowerment in the life survivors are living now—and in potential steps toward safer futures.

We hear the term gaslighting used increasingly these days, but do we really understand the effect of this type of emotional abuse? It is important that practitioners and service providers go beyond the surface of this popular term and become knowledgeable about recognizing gaslighting techniques and their impact on individuals, including common negative cognitions survivors face.

This workshop delves into the insidious world of gaslighting and its influence on survivors, particularly those who have endured intimate personal violence. The presenter aims to provide clinicians, lawyers, advocates, and other professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to understand and support those who have experienced this type of abuse. Learning these skills can empower attendees to become effective allies in supporting survivors’ journey to healing and reclaiming their identities.

When seeking to survive within or escape out of an abusive relationship, victims and survivors should not have to choose between personal safety and their pets. One way to advocate for both survivors and their pets is learning how to recognize signs of animal maltreatment and asking questions about animals in the home in an effort to identify people and pets at risk and implement interventions that are more likely to succeed.

This workshop will address the relationship between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence, with particular attention paid to implications for practice. Additionally, cross-training techniques and guidelines for assessing and addressing signs of abuse will be included, and attendees will be given practical tools for use in the field. The PAWS Act, pet protection laws, and cross-reporting policies will also be discussed.

Artificial intimacy is reshaping how people form connections, seek support, and experience harm and AI companion apps, marketed as romantic partners, friends, and therapists, are increasingly used by adults, teens, and survivors looking for validation, safety, or escape. Using these apps can feel rewarding and provide benefits to users, but they can also normalize coercive dynamics, create emotional dependency, and heighten risks for individuals already navigating trauma, isolation, or mental-health challenges.

This workshop will help violence-prevention and response professionals understand how AI companion relationships mirror familiar patterns of abuse – love-bombing, manipulation, surveillance, and cyclical harm – and why these dynamics complicate disclosure and safety planning. Drawing on EndTAB’s work with advocates, law enforcement, social workers, and clinicians, we will explore emerging concerns related to AI therapy apps, the normalization of gender-based violence through chatbot roleplay, and the rapid spread of sexualized or abusive companion chatbots on youth-driven platforms.

The presenter will provide practical strategies for talking about AI use without shame or stigma, assessing risk, supporting survivors who rely on these apps, and preparing agencies for the next wave of tech-enabled abuse. Moreover, this session positions artificial intimacy as a critical new frontier in understanding victimization and an essential component of modern prevention work.

Dual arrests and misidentification of victims remain persistent challenges in domestic violence investigations involving LGBTQI+ partners. Often rooted in heteronormative assumptions traditional frameworks for assessing intimate partner violence (IPV) fail to account for the unique dynamics present in queer relationships. Without culturally competent tools and training, officers and prosecutors may misinterpret mutual injuries, overlook coercive control, and inadvertently retraumatize victims.

This workshop brings together a criminologist specializing in LGBTQI+ IPV research, a victim advocate with extensive experience supporting queer survivors, and a domestic violence detective with years of experiencing investigating and training others on improving responses to IPV. Together, they will offer a multidisciplinary, evidence-informed approach to improving criminal justice responses to same-sex IPV. The presenters will share actionable tools to enhance their understanding of LGBTQI+ relationship dynamics, improve victim engagement, and strengthen case integrity. Moreover, this workshop is designed for law enforcement, prosecutors, advocates, and allied professionals committed to equitable and effective responses to domestic violence in all communities.

Multifaceted dynamics of drug-facilitated sexual assaults (DFSA) create unique vulnerabilities and challenges faced by queer communities. Additionally, prior trauma, particularly related to sexual and physical victimization, highly influences participation in drug cultures within these communities, which in turn increases susceptibility to DFSA.

The presenters of this workshop will delve into the ways DFSA opportunities arise, paying particular attention to the role of dating apps in facilitating unsafe encounters and will critically assess the extent to which popular dating platforms contribute to risk mitigation or exacerbate these vulnerabilities, questioning whether existing safety measures are sufficient.

The workshop is also designed to provide guidance for professionals by exploring ways to overcome victim-blaming narratives, and better equip practitioners to support survivors who are unfairly judged for their drug use or for being targeted by predators for abuse. Moreover, the workshop seeks to provide attendees with a deeper understanding of the intersection of trauma, technology, and vulnerability in queer communities, and provide practical tools for enhancing investigations.

Trauma often leaves the nervous system in a state of hyperarousal or collapse, making connection and communication difficult. The body holds what words cannot yet express, and until safety is restored, meaningful engagement may remain out of reach. Breath offers a direct and compassionate way to support regulation, helping the nervous system shift from a state of survival into one of presence, making space for clarity, connection, and care.

This workshop offers practical, trauma-informed breathwork strategies for professionals serving or working with survivors. The presenters will teach attendees how to recognize signs of nervous system dysregulation in both themselves and their clients, respond through co-regulation, and integrate invitational breath practices into interactions.

Drawing from yoga philosophy, somatic principles, and applied neurobiology, the session bridges ancient wisdom with modern care. Whether working in advocacy, clinical care, investigation, or multidisciplinary response teams, breath becomes a powerful tool to help stabilize the body and create conditions for safety and connection before words are spoken. Attendees will engage in guided practices and leave with simple, adaptable tools to support both client care and professional resilience.

Sex trafficking investigations require a trauma-informed, survivor-informed, and multidisciplinary approach to be successful. A critical dynamic that exists within sex trafficking is the presence of polyvictimization where victims and survivors may be subject to not only trafficking, but to domestic violence, sexual assault, and strangulation as well.

This workshop, led by a survivor of sex trafficking who is now a forensic nurse and private investigator, will provide unique insight into both the victim and offender perspectives. Drawing from firsthand experience in undercover operations and professional practice in healthcare, advocacy, and the courtroom, this workshop will bridge investigative and survivor-centered strategies to equip professionals across systems.

The presenter will share how to identify key crossover points between sex trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, and strangulation, and why understanding these intersections is essential for effective prosecutions and lifesaving interventions. The workshop will also highlight investigative tips, digital trends in child and adult exploitation, and trauma-informed interview techniques to enhance rapport and information gathering. Designed for law enforcement, attorneys, healthcare professionals, and advocates, this workshop is designed to emphasize the power of collaboration. Survivor-informed advocacy strategies and multidisciplinary best practices will also be shared to empower professionals, strengthen justice responses, and create meaningful change for trafficked and exploited individuals.

For centuries, women who spoke out about violence and injustice were branded liars, troublemakers, or even witches and faced very public consequences. Today, rape culture continues that legacy: shaming survivors, excusing perpetrators, and silencing truth – ultimately shaping public narratives and institutional responses that fall short of what survivors need and deserve in sexual violence prevention and response. By extinguishing the flames of rape culture, an open space for survivorship to be redefined on survivors’ own terms: resilient, powerful, and unashamed can occur.

This workshop will encourage attendees to explore how communication can either perpetuate harm or ignite healing and justice as well as challenge attendees to confront the language and narratives that keep rape culture alive. Law enforcement, advocates, and survivors will work side-by-side to unlearn harmful patterns of communication and reclaim advocacy as a tool of resistance.

Forensic nurses and SANE Coordinators are exposed to numerous narratives recounting instances in healthcare facilities where practices fail to acknowledge mental health needs and medical forensic examination choices. Moreover, it becomes disheartening to witness a perplexed state of healthcare providers, advocates, law enforcement entities, and survivors when confronted with intricate mental health patient scenarios following reports of assault.

This workshop, featuring immersive case scenarios, aims to empower diverse team members with the essential skills to identify prevalent service discrepancies and equip them with a robust arsenal of resources to address mental and medical forensic needs. Through group discussion, trauma-informed practice, and a victim-centered approach, the presenters will catalyze a transformative shift towards nurturing a culture of comprehensive care and treatment within healthcare settings.

“Success depends upon previous preparation.” (Confucius) Regardless of your profession, preparing in advance to ensure you and your organization are equipped to serve victims of human trafficking is the key to success.

Drawing from their combined 48 years of law enforcement experience as well as in their current roles in victim services, the presenters will walk attendees through a crisis recovery from start to finish. The end goal is a customized, coordinated plan of response, identifying both existing resources as well as potential service gaps within a specified region.

Presenters will use their own largely rural region of Texas to highlight strengths and creatively navigate potential weaknesses, showcasing specific examples from their professional experiences.

Life circumstances and needs of Native survivors vary widely. They may live in rural, urban, or Tribal settings, and have very different connections to culture and community. Where the core principles of a trauma-informed care remain the same, providing healing-centered care for Native survivors requires an understanding of the unique experiences, varied identities, and sovereign status of Native communities.

This workshop, derived from the Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Exam (SAMFE) Virtual Practicum, an interactive training series that covers each step of the medical forensic exam and beyond, will explore how to provide high-quality survivor-centered medical forensic care and advocacy for Native survivors of sexual assault. Additionally, it will highlight how professionals can provide appropriate care, honor survivor choice, and offer meaningful support — without making assumptions.

From romantic comedies to crime dramas, popular media often portrays stalking as a quirky or harmless pursuit by mentally ill strangers obsessed with celebrities. These depictions not only distort public understanding but also influence how victims, criminal justice professionals, and communities perceive and respond to stalking. In reality, most victims know their stalker, and those pursued by current or former intimate partners face significantly higher risks of harm, including sexual assault and homicide.

This workshop will use data from the National Crime Victimization Survey and research using case files from police and prosecutors to challenge common myths and explore how stalking motives and behaviors differ across relationship types. The presenters will also discuss a real-world case study to illustrate how stalking often begins subtly and escalates dangerously—especially when misunderstood or minimized.

Investigating and prosecuting domestic violence complaints is an ongoing challenge, especially in cases where both parties claim the other is responsible for the disturbance. While many jurisdictions require identification of the “predominant aggressor,” limited research and inconsistent practices can lead to misidentifying victims as offenders.

This workshop empowers change by integrating emerging research on coercive control with practical strategies for identifying the party posing the greatest risk of ongoing harm. Using real case studies and findings from recent studies, the presenter will define coercive control, explore common tactics used by abusers, and examine how these behaviors overlap with risk factors for future violence. Interview strategies to uncover power and control dynamics and improve decision-making in complex, seemingly mutual cases—ultimately enhancing victim safety and system accountability will also be shared and discussed.

System and community professionals are continually working to develop preventative and intervention strategies that reduce the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and IPV-related homicides. While these efforts are well-intentioned, they risk falling short—or even causing harm—if the voices of survivors are not intentionally integrated into the planning and implementation process. Survivors bring lived experience, insight, and contextual knowledge that cannot be replicated by data alone. Without their perspectives, communities may overlook critical issues such as confidentiality, culturally responsive care, safety planning, and the long-term impacts of trauma.

This workshop will explore how and why centering survivor voices must be a foundational part of any initiative aimed at addressing IPV or preventing domestic violence homicides. Furthermore, practical guidance will be offered on building partnerships that honor survivor leadership, strengthen accountability, and align prevention strategies with the real needs of those most impacted.

The presenters will also discuss strategies to engage survivors in meaningful, trauma-informed ways that promote healing and empowerment rather than re-traumatization. Additionally, the presenters will examine how community-based and systems-level responses to IPV can incorporate survivor insights into risk assessment tools, lethality indicators, and recidivism data to create truly safer and more responsive communities.

Children who witness intimate partner violence (IPV) are often the unseen victims. In the rush to ensure adult survivor safety, their emotional needs can be unintentionally overlooked. Yet every moment of response offers a chance to reduce harm, restore safety, and begin the healing process.

This workshop will examine the impact of IPV exposure on children of all ages and explores how multidisciplinary teams can respond with both skill and compassion. The presenters will discuss how exposure to violence affects a child’s psychological and emotional development, how responders can minimize additional trauma from the very first point of contact, and how trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate interventions can create a sense of safety in the midst of crisis.

By the end of the workshop, the aim is that attendees walk away better equipped to recognize trauma children experience, strengthen collaboration within multidisciplinary teams, and implement compassionate, immediate responses that support both the child’s well-being and the safety of the non-offending caregiver.

When North Carolina created it’s technological DV Program, it had never been done before and there was no model to follow which forced them to create it’s own rule book and methods. Through trial and error, there response culminated into the CJIN Electronic GPS Monitoring Program. Since its inception, the Program has been very successful, but there have been a few snags along the way.

This workshop will outline those positive elements, touch on aspects to be avoided by other states or organizations that might want to follow the CJIN Model, and help attendees tailor the CJIN Model to the needs of the population they serve.

Every year, thousands of people go missing in the U.S., with women and people of color especially vulnerable. When someone goes missing, every second counts, but multiple alerting systems (Ashanti, AMBER, Silver, Turquoise, and others) with varying criteria and names can cause confusion, delays, and frustration for families and investigators. Clear communication, collaboration, and understanding of these systems are essential to bringing missing and endangered persons (MEP) home safely. Therefore, it is essential that clarity in similarities, differences, and challenges across MEP alerts is attained.

This workshop will discuss eligibility requirements and criteria across alerting programs, resources and gaps that impact agencies and practitioners, and promising practices for collaboration among law enforcement, advocates, media, and the public. The presenters will also address myths and misconceptions, such as why certain cases don’t trigger alerts and how “alert fatigue” can affect public response.

The workshop will also highlight tools like the National Ashanti Alert Network, as well as direct support services and resources that help strengthen cross-state collaboration, showcase real-world success stories, and support MEP investigations.

Are the women who are using violence against their intimate partners, getting arrested and/or court-ordered to nonviolence programs, battering/using coercive control against their partners, using resistive violence, or neither? Does the local coordinated community response have a differentiated response, or are all domestic violence cases treated the same? What are effective group interventions that address the violence women experience and the violence they use? To be effective, group interventions and for women who use violence must address the contextual factors of women’s lives and their motivation for their use of violence.

This workshop will explore a nonviolence program designed specifically to address women’s use of violence in intimate partner relationships. Topics addressed in this workshop will include assessing between three different types of domestic violence, working with criminalized survivors, women’s non-violence programs, and addressing the safety needs of survivors. This workshop will also discuss how groups for women who use violence are different and similar to men’s batterers intervention programs.

Defense attorneys often accuse victim advocates of believing everyone who says they experienced domestic abuse. Additionally, victims often receive misdiagnoses that negatively impact their court case or treatment options.

To address these isses, this workshop will present trauma-informed screening questions and assessment skills to better equip service providers during initial evaluations to recognize intimate partner violence. Typical trauma symptoms will be looked at as they relate to various mental health diagnoses that victims often receive, including post traumatic stress disorder.

The presenter will share strategies on how to explain maladaptive coping mechanisms in the context of trauma as well as discuss appropriate treatment goals to address danger and the effects of domestic violence. Using case scenarios, attendees will practice how to verbalize why they believe the victim and what services are indicated based on the initial evaluation.

Murder-suicide leaves more than one victim—it sends shockwaves through families and communities, often trapping survivors in cycles of silence, trauma, and unacknowledged grief. These tragedies produce complex and long-term needs of survivors that require coordinated outreach, peer support, and community partnerships.

This workshop explores the devastating impact of murder-suicide on families through real-life case vignettes that highlight the cycle of abuse, unaddressed traumatic grief, and the urgent need for meaningful postvention. The presenters will examine how the intersection of domestic violence, mental health, and grief, when left unacknowledged, can lead to compounded harm. Moreover, the presenters will unpack the reality that postvention is prevention, and how timely, trauma-informed support for survivors can shift the trajectory for survivors.

Attendees will be introduced to Georgia’s groundbreaking Support for Survivors of Murder-Suicide Project and will be taught strategies on how to enhance their response efforts and gain a deeper understanding of how prevention, intervention, and postvention are not separate—but inseparable—paths to safety and healing.

In rural communities, barriers to comprehensive sexual assault response are often intensified by limited resources, geographic isolation, and a lack of coordinated systems. Forensic nursing teams are needed to actively work to transform these challenges into opportunities for community growth by strengthening the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) model through education, engagement, and interagency collaboration.

This workshop will explore how one such SART, as forensic nurses, are leading community engagement efforts with a focus on equity, diversity, and victim-centered care. Through dynamic partnerships with law enforcement, emergency medical services, advocates, and other key stakeholders, how this particular SART has developed and implemented community education strategies that enhance the collective response to survivors of sexual violence will be discussed.

Additionally, the presenters will provide insights into how rural communities can build or strengthen multidisciplinary SARTs, create sustainable training programs for community partners, and foster a trauma-informed culture that prioritizes survivor autonomy and dignity. Real-world examples, lessons learned, and practical tools will be shared to help attendees apply similar approaches in their own communities—rural or urban.

Alcohol is the cheap, legal, culturally acceptable intoxicant that is present in many sexual assaults that also results in victims being more vulnerable, causes gaps in their memories, makes them less likely to report the assault, and less likely to be believed. Additionally, victims of alcohol-facilitated sexual assault may not be able to provide a complete account of the assault or may only have suspicions or heard rumors of what happened to them. Conversely, perpetrators of sexual assault use alcohol or drugs as a weapon to create or exploit vulnerabilities in their victims and will use their own intoxication as a shield to deflect responsibility.

This workshop will examine the role alcohol plays in facilitating sexual violence by increasing victim vulnerability and blurring the lines of consent. The presenter will focus on investigative and prosecution strategies for supporting victims of alcohol-facilitated sexual assault and uncovering and identifying predatory behavior.

Forensic nurses and SANE Coordinators are exposed to numerous narratives recounting instances in healthcare facilities where practices fail to acknowledge mental health needs and medical forensic examination choices. Moreover, it becomes disheartening to witness a perplexed state of healthcare providers, advocates, law enforcement entities, and survivors when confronted with intricate mental health patient scenarios following reports of assault.

This workshop, featuring immersive case scenarios, aims to empower diverse team members with the essential skills to identify prevalent service discrepancies and equip them with a robust arsenal of resources to address mental and medical forensic needs. Through group discussion, trauma-informed practice, and a victim-centered approach, the presenters will catalyze a transformative shift towards nurturing a culture of comprehensive care and treatment within healthcare settings.

In 2016, a courageous victim came forward to report years of abuse by a family member, sparking a complex investigation that uncovered additional unreported victims. The case led to the arrest of three individuals, with two suspects ultimately receiving lengthy prison sentences. Investigated and charged as a trafficking offense, this case highlighted the importance of trauma-informed techniques in achieving justice and supporting survivors. In this workshop, the survivor will share her unique perspective, offering firsthand insights into what was helpful, what caused additional harm, and how she persevered through the process. The presenter(s) will discuss best practices and holistic response strategies that contributed to the positive outcomes in this case and offer attendees the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of survivor-centered approaches and the critical role they play in investigations and healing. 

Research continually reveals survivors’ negative experience when seeking help in spite of the fact that both interpersonal and institutional support are both known to make a positive difference in recovery after abuse. Being believed, validated, supported, and properly resourced is important and the presence of support improves outcomes that leads to healing, growth, and resilience. Institutional courage is the antidote!

This workshop will highlight the unfortunate encounters of betrayal when seeking assistance for domestic violence from a variety of entities including advocates, counselors, law enforcement, healthcare, teachers, banking, and the courts. This isn’t to discredit those organizations, but to shed some light on experiences in order to improve service delivery and ways to focus on what leads to the more positive outcomes. While success for all survivors cannot be guaranteed, work toward improving institutional and community conditions that allow them to heal with a willingness to change the systems they themselves are involved in can certainly take place.

We hear the term gaslighting used increasingly these days, but do we really understand the effect of this type of emotional abuse? It is important that practitioners and service providers go beyond the surface of this popular term and become knowledgeable about recognizing gaslighting techniques and their impact on individuals, including common negative cognitions survivors face.

This workshop delves into the insidious world of gaslighting and its influence on survivors, particularly those who have endured intimate personal violence. The presenter aims to provide clinicians, lawyers, advocates, and other professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to understand and support those who have experienced this type of abuse. Learning these skills can empower attendees to become effective allies in supporting survivors’ journey to healing and reclaiming their identities.

Fawning and appeasement are commonly observed responses in survivors of both domestic violence and sexual assault. These responses are survival mechanisms that often arise from down-power positions, and are also correlated to the mammalian need to belong and connect. Like all trauma responses, they are directly linked to the neurobiology of threat. Therefore, supporting victims and survivors is essential, as it restores agency and empowers healing and knowing the definitions and distinctions of these two terms is vital for providing clinical advocacy.

This workshop will explore how fawning and appeasement are connected to biological drives to stay safe, including how down-power positions can inhibit the healing process. The presenter will describe the neurobiology underlying these trauma responses and share practical strategies for identifying them, as well as ways to support clients in moving from victimhood to survivorship.

Trauma often leaves the nervous system in a state of hyperarousal or collapse, making connection and communication difficult. The body holds what words cannot yet express, and until safety is restored, meaningful engagement may remain out of reach. Breath offers a direct and compassionate way to support regulation, helping the nervous system shift from a state of survival into one of presence, making space for clarity, connection, and care.

This workshop offers practical, trauma-informed breathwork strategies for professionals serving or working with survivors. The presenters will teach attendees how to recognize signs of nervous system dysregulation in both themselves and their clients, respond through co-regulation, and integrate invitational breath practices into interactions.

Drawing from yoga philosophy, somatic principles, and applied neurobiology, the session bridges ancient wisdom with modern care. Whether working in advocacy, clinical care, investigation, or multidisciplinary response teams, breath becomes a powerful tool to help stabilize the body and create conditions for safety and connection before words are spoken. Attendees will engage in guided practices and leave with simple, adaptable tools to support both client care and professional resilience.

Defense attorneys often accuse victim advocates of believing everyone who says they experienced domestic abuse. Additionally, victims often receive misdiagnoses that negatively impact their court case or treatment options.

To address these isses, this workshop will present trauma-informed screening questions and assessment skills to better equip service providers during initial evaluations to recognize intimate partner violence. Typical trauma symptoms will be looked at as they relate to various mental health diagnoses that victims often receive, including post traumatic stress disorder.

The presenter will share strategies on how to explain maladaptive coping mechanisms in the context of trauma as well as discuss appropriate treatment goals to address danger and the effects of domestic violence. Using case scenarios, attendees will practice how to verbalize why they believe the victim and what services are indicated based on the initial evaluation.

Intimate partner violence can affect maternal and infant health, attachment, and safety, while also creating systemic barriers that limit survivors’ access to care.

This presenter of this workshop will address the intersection of domestic violence and the perinatal period, highlighting the unique risks, challenges, and impacts of abuse during pregnancy and postpartum. The presenter will also emphasize trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and survivor-centered approaches that support both maternal mental health and family well-being.

In recent years, the divide between police and the communities they serve has deepened. At times, it may feel as if both entities are speaking different languages, but understanding each other’s perspectives is essential in building an effective framework for gender-based violence prevention and response. By translating community needs into trauma-informed police policies and practices, the “us vs. them” mentality can be broken down and common ground can be found. This workshop will engage attendees in an interactive conversation about the evolving relationship between law enforcement and communities, focusing on human-centric and collaborative approaches to addressing crimes against persons. The presenter(s) will explore how trust, accountability, and shared responsibility are key to building safer communities and reducing violence. The ethical, legal, and practical frameworks involved in the collaborative efforts of police and community stakeholders to holistically, effectively, and practically respond to and prevent violence will also be addressed. 

Online platforms often hold critical evidence in the form of videos, but capturing this data can be complex. In this hands-on computer lab, you’ll learn how to save videos from a variety of sources, including social media platforms, news websites, and YouTube, using free and open-source tools. Discover browser tricks, add-ons, and tools like Open Video Downloader. Also we’ll use VLC for playing, enhancing, and to export every frame, making it easier to identify key details like faces or license plates. Through practical exercises, gain the skills to efficiently preserve and analyze online video evidence, ensuring you’re equipped for thorough and effective investigations.

Studies show that financial abuse happens in 94-99% of abusive intimate partner relationships, yet, it is the least understood form of abuse. Furthermore, there exists numerous tactics by offenders that fall into various categories of financial abuse including coerced debt and financial fraud. The presenter(s) will discuss the many ways financial abuse impacts a woman while she is in the abusive relationship as well as the long-lasting effects it can have after leaving the abusive relationship. The workshop will explore ways advocates, attorneys, and other professionals can help support a survivor of financial abuse. In Part Two, attendees will participate in the Economic Justice version of In Her Shoes(R), developed by Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Through this experiential learning, participants come away with a deeper understanding of how difficult it is to navigate systems, find effective support, and make the decision to leave an abusive partner, all while being impacted by a lack of financial resources. 

While sexual and domestic violence is a major problem in our society, the issue of interpersonal violence against individuals with disabilities is even greater than it is for others. Some estimates reveal that people with disabilities are twice as likely to experience violent victimization. Often, people working in both victim services organizations and disability services organizations have difficulty acknowledging how commonly individuals with disabilities are victimized and may not be knowledgeable or equipped to provide proper advocacy for this population.

This workshop will provide the tools and support necessary to become a strong and effective advocate for individuals with disabilities. The presenter will share the key components of serving and supporting victims of crime who have disabilities. With over 38 years of combined service as frontline advocates, prevention educators, and non-profit leaders, attendees will hear from real-life experiences that will hopefully leave them feeling inspired, energized, and ready to move to the next level as an advocate.

Dual arrests and misidentification of victims remain persistent challenges in domestic violence investigations involving LGBTQI+ partners. Often rooted in heteronormative assumptions traditional frameworks for assessing intimate partner violence (IPV) fail to account for the unique dynamics present in queer relationships. Without culturally competent tools and training, officers and prosecutors may misinterpret mutual injuries, overlook coercive control, and inadvertently retraumatize victims.

This workshop brings together a criminologist specializing in LGBTQI+ IPV research, a victim advocate with extensive experience supporting queer survivors, and a domestic violence detective with years of experiencing investigating and training others on improving responses to IPV. Together, they will offer a multidisciplinary, evidence-informed approach to improving criminal justice responses to same-sex IPV. The presenters will share actionable tools to enhance their understanding of LGBTQI+ relationship dynamics, improve victim engagement, and strengthen case integrity. Moreover, this workshop is designed for law enforcement, prosecutors, advocates, and allied professionals committed to equitable and effective responses to domestic violence in all communities.

Multifaceted dynamics of drug-facilitated sexual assaults (DFSA) create unique vulnerabilities and challenges faced by queer communities. Additionally, prior trauma, particularly related to sexual and physical victimization, highly influences participation in drug cultures within these communities, which in turn increases susceptibility to DFSA.

The presenters of this workshop will delve into the ways DFSA opportunities arise, paying particular attention to the role of dating apps in facilitating unsafe encounters and will critically assess the extent to which popular dating platforms contribute to risk mitigation or exacerbate these vulnerabilities, questioning whether existing safety measures are sufficient.

The workshop is also designed to provide guidance for professionals by exploring ways to overcome victim-blaming narratives, and better equip practitioners to support survivors who are unfairly judged for their drug use or for being targeted by predators for abuse. Moreover, the workshop seeks to provide attendees with a deeper understanding of the intersection of trauma, technology, and vulnerability in queer communities, and provide practical tools for enhancing investigations.

Cases of domestic violence in the relationships of law enforcement agency members are a reality and incidents of violence in law enforcement families are no different from those in the general population. Distinct features of law enforcement culture may create additional challenges to navigate and hurdles to resolving these complex cases.

The presenters of this workshop will share lessons learned from response to cases, promising agency efforts pre-hire to retire, and successful practices to hold offenders accountable while supporting victims of these complex crimes. The presenters will also discuss agency policy and response, comprehensive training, effective leadership, and family and victim support that agencies can implement to strengthen the health and wellness of officers and build agency-wide and community trust.

Research continually reveals survivors’ negative experience when seeking help in spite of the fact that both interpersonal and institutional support are both known to make a positive difference in recovery after abuse. Being believed, validated, supported, and properly resourced is important and the presence of support improves outcomes that leads to healing, growth, and resilience. Institutional courage is the antidote!

This workshop will highlight the unfortunate encounters of betrayal when seeking assistance for domestic violence from a variety of entities including advocates, counselors, law enforcement, healthcare, teachers, banking, and the courts. This isn’t to discredit those organizations, but to shed some light on experiences in order to improve service delivery and ways to focus on what leads to the more positive outcomes. While success for all survivors cannot be guaranteed, work toward improving institutional and community conditions that allow them to heal with a willingness to change the systems they themselves are involved in can certainly take place.

We hear the term gaslighting used increasingly these days, but do we really understand the effect of this type of emotional abuse? It is important that practitioners and service providers go beyond the surface of this popular term and become knowledgeable about recognizing gaslighting techniques and their impact on individuals, including common negative cognitions survivors face.

This workshop delves into the insidious world of gaslighting and its influence on survivors, particularly those who have endured intimate personal violence. The presenter aims to provide clinicians, lawyers, advocates, and other professionals with the knowledge and tools needed to understand and support those who have experienced this type of abuse. Learning these skills can empower attendees to become effective allies in supporting survivors’ journey to healing and reclaiming their identities.

When seeking to survive within or escape out of an abusive relationship, victims and survivors should not have to choose between personal safety and their pets. One way to advocate for both survivors and their pets is learning how to recognize signs of animal maltreatment and asking questions about animals in the home in an effort to identify people and pets at risk and implement interventions that are more likely to succeed.

This workshop will address the relationship between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence, with particular attention paid to implications for practice. Additionally, cross-training techniques and guidelines for assessing and addressing signs of abuse will be included, and attendees will be given practical tools for use in the field. The PAWS Act, pet protection laws, and cross-reporting policies will also be discussed.

Artificial intimacy is reshaping how people form connections, seek support, and experience harm and AI companion apps, marketed as romantic partners, friends, and therapists, are increasingly used by adults, teens, and survivors looking for validation, safety, or escape. Using these apps can feel rewarding and provide benefits to users, but they can also normalize coercive dynamics, create emotional dependency, and heighten risks for individuals already navigating trauma, isolation, or mental-health challenges.

This workshop will help violence-prevention and response professionals understand how AI companion relationships mirror familiar patterns of abuse – love-bombing, manipulation, surveillance, and cyclical harm – and why these dynamics complicate disclosure and safety planning. Drawing on EndTAB’s work with advocates, law enforcement, social workers, and clinicians, we will explore emerging concerns related to AI therapy apps, the normalization of gender-based violence through chatbot roleplay, and the rapid spread of sexualized or abusive companion chatbots on youth-driven platforms.

The presenter will provide practical strategies for talking about AI use without shame or stigma, assessing risk, supporting survivors who rely on these apps, and preparing agencies for the next wave of tech-enabled abuse. Moreover, this session positions artificial intimacy as a critical new frontier in understanding victimization and an essential component of modern prevention work.

Description pending.

Abuse doesn’t end when a perpetrator is arrested, and the pressure abusers place on their victims often intensifies. Jail calls provide powerful evidence, frequently exposing admissions, threats, manipulation, and coercive control. Monitoring these calls enables practitioners to detect patterns of intimidation, identify safety risks, and strengthen case outcomes overall.

This workshop is designed to offer strategies for examining jail calls from both the investigative and prosecutorial perspectives with the goal of providing insight into the coercive dynamics used by abusers and how to leverage this valuable jail call evidence to enhance victim safety, corroborate testimony, and hold offenders accountable.

During Part 1, the presenters will discuss best practices for archiving calls, protective order compliance and filing charges for violations, evidentiary admissibility, overcoming recantations, and other trial strategies to include increasing bonds, forfeiture by wrongdoing evidence, and impeachment evidence. During Part 2, the presenters will dive deeper into specific real-world examples to highlight the concepts discussed in the first part through case study presentations and interactive discussions.

Trauma often leaves the nervous system in a state of hyperarousal or collapse, making connection and communication difficult. The body holds what words cannot yet express, and until safety is restored, meaningful engagement may remain out of reach. Breath offers a direct and compassionate way to support regulation, helping the nervous system shift from a state of survival into one of presence, making space for clarity, connection, and care.

This workshop offers practical, trauma-informed breathwork strategies for professionals serving or working with survivors. The presenters will teach attendees how to recognize signs of nervous system dysregulation in both themselves and their clients, respond through co-regulation, and integrate invitational breath practices into interactions.

Drawing from yoga philosophy, somatic principles, and applied neurobiology, the session bridges ancient wisdom with modern care. Whether working in advocacy, clinical care, investigation, or multidisciplinary response teams, breath becomes a powerful tool to help stabilize the body and create conditions for safety and connection before words are spoken. Attendees will engage in guided practices and leave with simple, adaptable tools to support both client care and professional resilience.

Manipulation is the universal tool that abusers use to obtain and maintain control over the lives of their victims. With varying degrees of sophistication, abusers use fear, love, guilt, anger, sex, money, charm and humiliation to move their victims like pawns on a chess board. They also employ similar tactics of manipulation on family, friends, co-workers, anyone within the victim’s reach to ensure their control does not crumble should the victim decide to ask for help. In a trial setting, a much higher percentage of cases, and generally against advice of counsel, offenders will testify on their own behalf. They believe that given the chance to make themselves the hero, or maybe the victim, of the story, the jury will believe them, and often they are not wrong.

Using a successful cross from a domestic violence homicide as the guide, this workshop will concentrate on cross-examination techniques by analyzing an abusers’ absolute faith in their own powers of persuasion, their M.O. as life-long manipulators, and how they consider themselves masters of the trade. Additionally, the presenter will focus on the practicalities of preparation, structure, admissibility, and adaptability in cross-examination. Which elements create a successful cross-examination of a highly manipulative offender and the skills to build a framework for cross-examination that can be adapted for success in any set of circumstances will also be discussed.

Domestic violence is rooted in power and control—but in the digital age, that control increasingly extends through technology.

This workshop explores how abusers use psychological manipulation and digital tools to dominate their victims and evade accountability. The presenter will examine the intersection of coercion, trauma, and technology in domestic violence cases and share strategies on how to identify patterns of digital coercion, interpret victim behavior through a trauma-informed lens, and use digital evidence to tell a compelling story of control and accountability in court.

Investigating and prosecuting domestic violence complaints is an ongoing challenge, especially in cases where both parties claim the other is responsible for the disturbance. While many jurisdictions require identification of the “predominant aggressor,” limited research and inconsistent practices can lead to misidentifying victims as offenders.

This workshop empowers change by integrating emerging research on coercive control with practical strategies for identifying the party posing the greatest risk of ongoing harm. Using real case studies and findings from recent studies, the presenter will define coercive control, explore common tactics used by abusers, and examine how these behaviors overlap with risk factors for future violence. Interview strategies to uncover power and control dynamics and improve decision-making in complex, seemingly mutual cases—ultimately enhancing victim safety and system accountability will also be shared and discussed.

Domestic violence is not limited to physical assaults. Increasingly, research and legislation recognize coercive control—patterns of intimidation, isolation, manipulation, and domination—as the core of abusive relationships. Although law enforcement professionals are often the first responders to these situations, many forms of coercive control can be subtle, non-physical, and easy to overlook.

This workshop will provide officers with the knowledge and tools to identify coercive control, understand its risks, and respond effectively to protect victims and strengthen cases.

System and community professionals are continually working to develop preventative and intervention strategies that reduce the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and IPV-related homicides. While these efforts are well-intentioned, they risk falling short—or even causing harm—if the voices of survivors are not intentionally integrated into the planning and implementation process. Survivors bring lived experience, insight, and contextual knowledge that cannot be replicated by data alone. Without their perspectives, communities may overlook critical issues such as confidentiality, culturally responsive care, safety planning, and the long-term impacts of trauma.

This workshop will explore how and why centering survivor voices must be a foundational part of any initiative aimed at addressing IPV or preventing domestic violence homicides. Furthermore, practical guidance will be offered on building partnerships that honor survivor leadership, strengthen accountability, and align prevention strategies with the real needs of those most impacted.

The presenters will also discuss strategies to engage survivors in meaningful, trauma-informed ways that promote healing and empowerment rather than re-traumatization. Additionally, the presenters will examine how community-based and systems-level responses to IPV can incorporate survivor insights into risk assessment tools, lethality indicators, and recidivism data to create truly safer and more responsive communities.

Children who witness intimate partner violence (IPV) are often the unseen victims. In the rush to ensure adult survivor safety, their emotional needs can be unintentionally overlooked. Yet every moment of response offers a chance to reduce harm, restore safety, and begin the healing process.

This workshop will examine the impact of IPV exposure on children of all ages and explores how multidisciplinary teams can respond with both skill and compassion. The presenters will discuss how exposure to violence affects a child’s psychological and emotional development, how responders can minimize additional trauma from the very first point of contact, and how trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate interventions can create a sense of safety in the midst of crisis.

By the end of the workshop, the aim is that attendees walk away better equipped to recognize trauma children experience, strengthen collaboration within multidisciplinary teams, and implement compassionate, immediate responses that support both the child’s well-being and the safety of the non-offending caregiver.

When North Carolina created it’s technological DV Program, it had never been done before and there was no model to follow which forced them to create it’s own rule book and methods. Through trial and error, there response culminated into the CJIN Electronic GPS Monitoring Program. Since its inception, the Program has been very successful, but there have been a few snags along the way.

This workshop will outline those positive elements, touch on aspects to be avoided by other states or organizations that might want to follow the CJIN Model, and help attendees tailor the CJIN Model to the needs of the population they serve.

Every year, thousands of people go missing in the U.S., with women and people of color especially vulnerable. When someone goes missing, every second counts, but multiple alerting systems (Ashanti, AMBER, Silver, Turquoise, and others) with varying criteria and names can cause confusion, delays, and frustration for families and investigators. Clear communication, collaboration, and understanding of these systems are essential to bringing missing and endangered persons (MEP) home safely. Therefore, it is essential that clarity in similarities, differences, and challenges across MEP alerts is attained.

This workshop will discuss eligibility requirements and criteria across alerting programs, resources and gaps that impact agencies and practitioners, and promising practices for collaboration among law enforcement, advocates, media, and the public. The presenters will also address myths and misconceptions, such as why certain cases don’t trigger alerts and how “alert fatigue” can affect public response.

The workshop will also highlight tools like the National Ashanti Alert Network, as well as direct support services and resources that help strengthen cross-state collaboration, showcase real-world success stories, and support MEP investigations.

Are the women who are using violence against their intimate partners, getting arrested and/or court-ordered to nonviolence programs, battering/using coercive control against their partners, using resistive violence, or neither? Does the local coordinated community response have a differentiated response, or are all domestic violence cases treated the same? What are effective group interventions that address the violence women experience and the violence they use? To be effective, group interventions and for women who use violence must address the contextual factors of women’s lives and their motivation for their use of violence.

This workshop will explore a nonviolence program designed specifically to address women’s use of violence in intimate partner relationships. Topics addressed in this workshop will include assessing between three different types of domestic violence, working with criminalized survivors, women’s non-violence programs, and addressing the safety needs of survivors. This workshop will also discuss how groups for women who use violence are different and similar to men’s batterers intervention programs.

Defense attorneys often accuse victim advocates of believing everyone who says they experienced domestic abuse. Additionally, victims often receive misdiagnoses that negatively impact their court case or treatment options.

To address these isses, this workshop will present trauma-informed screening questions and assessment skills to better equip service providers during initial evaluations to recognize intimate partner violence. Typical trauma symptoms will be looked at as they relate to various mental health diagnoses that victims often receive, including post traumatic stress disorder.

The presenter will share strategies on how to explain maladaptive coping mechanisms in the context of trauma as well as discuss appropriate treatment goals to address danger and the effects of domestic violence. Using case scenarios, attendees will practice how to verbalize why they believe the victim and what services are indicated based on the initial evaluation.

Intimate partner violence can affect maternal and infant health, attachment, and safety, while also creating systemic barriers that limit survivors’ access to care.

This presenter of this workshop will address the intersection of domestic violence and the perinatal period, highlighting the unique risks, challenges, and impacts of abuse during pregnancy and postpartum. The presenter will also emphasize trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and survivor-centered approaches that support both maternal mental health and family well-being.

Murder-suicide leaves more than one victim—it sends shockwaves through families and communities, often trapping survivors in cycles of silence, trauma, and unacknowledged grief. These tragedies produce complex and long-term needs of survivors that require coordinated outreach, peer support, and community partnerships.

This workshop explores the devastating impact of murder-suicide on families through real-life case vignettes that highlight the cycle of abuse, unaddressed traumatic grief, and the urgent need for meaningful postvention. The presenters will examine how the intersection of domestic violence, mental health, and grief, when left unacknowledged, can lead to compounded harm. Moreover, the presenters will unpack the reality that postvention is prevention, and how timely, trauma-informed support for survivors can shift the trajectory for survivors.

Attendees will be introduced to Georgia’s groundbreaking Support for Survivors of Murder-Suicide Project and will be taught strategies on how to enhance their response efforts and gain a deeper understanding of how prevention, intervention, and postvention are not separate—but inseparable—paths to safety and healing.

Forensic nurses and SANE Coordinators are exposed to numerous narratives recounting instances in healthcare facilities where practices fail to acknowledge mental health needs and medical forensic examination choices. Moreover, it becomes disheartening to witness a perplexed state of healthcare providers, advocates, law enforcement entities, and survivors when confronted with intricate mental health patient scenarios following reports of assault.

This workshop, featuring immersive case scenarios, aims to empower diverse team members with the essential skills to identify prevalent service discrepancies and equip them with a robust arsenal of resources to address mental and medical forensic needs. Through group discussion, trauma-informed practice, and a victim-centered approach, the presenters will catalyze a transformative shift towards nurturing a culture of comprehensive care and treatment within healthcare settings.

Life circumstances and needs of Native survivors vary widely. They may live in rural, urban, or Tribal settings, and have very different connections to culture and community. Where the core principles of a trauma-informed care remain the same, providing healing-centered care for Native survivors requires an understanding of the unique experiences, varied identities, and sovereign status of Native communities.

This workshop, derived from the Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Exam (SAMFE) Virtual Practicum, an interactive training series that covers each step of the medical forensic exam and beyond, will explore how to provide high-quality survivor-centered medical forensic care and advocacy for Native survivors of sexual assault. Additionally, it will highlight how professionals can provide appropriate care, honor survivor choice, and offer meaningful support — without making assumptions.

In rural communities, barriers to comprehensive sexual assault response are often intensified by limited resources, geographic isolation, and a lack of coordinated systems. Forensic nursing teams are needed to actively work to transform these challenges into opportunities for community growth by strengthening the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) model through education, engagement, and interagency collaboration.

This workshop will explore how one such SART, as forensic nurses, are leading community engagement efforts with a focus on equity, diversity, and victim-centered care. Through dynamic partnerships with law enforcement, emergency medical services, advocates, and other key stakeholders, how this particular SART has developed and implemented community education strategies that enhance the collective response to survivors of sexual violence will be discussed.

Additionally, the presenters will provide insights into how rural communities can build or strengthen multidisciplinary SARTs, create sustainable training programs for community partners, and foster a trauma-informed culture that prioritizes survivor autonomy and dignity. Real-world examples, lessons learned, and practical tools will be shared to help attendees apply similar approaches in their own communities—rural or urban.

While sexual and domestic violence is a major problem in our society, the issue of interpersonal violence against individuals with disabilities is even greater than it is for others. Some estimates reveal that people with disabilities are twice as likely to experience violent victimization. Often, people working in both victim services organizations and disability services organizations have difficulty acknowledging how commonly individuals with disabilities are victimized and may not be knowledgeable or equipped to provide proper advocacy for this population.

This workshop will provide the tools and support necessary to become a strong and effective advocate for individuals with disabilities. The presenter will share the key components of serving and supporting victims of crime who have disabilities. With over 38 years of combined service as frontline advocates, prevention educators, and non-profit leaders, attendees will hear from real-life experiences that will hopefully leave them feeling inspired, energized, and ready to move to the next level as an advocate.

Often, victims and survivors look to faith-based communities for guidance and healing after abuse. Yet, repeatedly, these spaces prove to be the least safest place to disclose. Pastors and leaders lack formal training, structures for reporting and responding are often non-existent in the local church setting, and victims are frequently disbelieved, blamed, and/or their circumstances minimized or completely suppressed.

This workshop aims to raise awareness, equip advocates in Christian, faith-based communities, and mobilize communities to effectively care for survivors of abuse within the faith-based context. Additionally, topics such as understanding the reality, the role of clergy and community, practical steps for churches, stories of impact will be discussed.

When providing victim services, advocates often meet survivors where they are—whether they are living with ongoing abuse where the focus would be on harm reduction and safer daily living, or they are preparing a safer escape plan. Whatever the scenario, a successful approach emphasizes practical, survivor-driven choices, tailored to each moment and circumstance, with documentation that supports autonomy and informed decision-making.

This workshop centers on helping victims and survivors build safety plans for the life they are living, using decision trees and careful documentation. The presenters will share strategies on how to apply decision trees to identify options, assess risk, and choose steps that enhance safety without presuming immediate separation. Additionally, the presenters will explore how to balance harm reduction with proactive planning, recognizing that safety needs and goals change over time. The workshop will also cover essential components of protective strategies, including orders of protection, considerations for children, and planning for pets, ensuring a holistic approach to safety.

Anchored in self-determination and self-efficacy, the workshop also highlights how survivors define safety for themselves and determine the pace and direction of their plans. By combining practical planning tools with survivor-centered documentation, advocates will be provided actionable skills to support ongoing safety, resilience, and empowerment in the life survivors are living now—and in potential steps toward safer futures.

Fawning and appeasement are commonly observed responses in survivors of both domestic violence and sexual assault. These responses are survival mechanisms that often arise from down-power positions, and are also correlated to the mammalian need to belong and connect. Like all trauma responses, they are directly linked to the neurobiology of threat. Therefore, supporting victims and survivors is essential, as it restores agency and empowers healing and knowing the definitions and distinctions of these two terms is vital for providing clinical advocacy.

This workshop will explore how fawning and appeasement are connected to biological drives to stay safe, including how down-power positions can inhibit the healing process. The presenter will describe the neurobiology underlying these trauma responses and share practical strategies for identifying them, as well as ways to support clients in moving from victimhood to survivorship.

Sex trafficking investigations require a trauma-informed, survivor-informed, and multidisciplinary approach to be successful. A critical dynamic that exists within sex trafficking is the presence of polyvictimization where victims and survivors may be subject to not only trafficking, but to domestic violence, sexual assault, and strangulation as well.

This workshop, led by a survivor of sex trafficking who is now a forensic nurse and private investigator, will provide unique insight into both the victim and offender perspectives. Drawing from firsthand experience in undercover operations and professional practice in healthcare, advocacy, and the courtroom, this workshop will bridge investigative and survivor-centered strategies to equip professionals across systems.

The presenter will share how to identify key crossover points between sex trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, and strangulation, and why understanding these intersections is essential for effective prosecutions and lifesaving interventions. The workshop will also highlight investigative tips, digital trends in child and adult exploitation, and trauma-informed interview techniques to enhance rapport and information gathering. Designed for law enforcement, attorneys, healthcare professionals, and advocates, this workshop is designed to emphasize the power of collaboration. Survivor-informed advocacy strategies and multidisciplinary best practices will also be shared to empower professionals, strengthen justice responses, and create meaningful change for trafficked and exploited individuals.

Cases of domestic violence in the relationships of law enforcement agency members are a reality and incidents of violence in law enforcement families are no different from those in the general population. Distinct features of law enforcement culture may create additional challenges to navigate and hurdles to resolving these complex cases.

The presenters of this workshop will share lessons learned from response to cases, promising agency efforts pre-hire to retire, and successful practices to hold offenders accountable while supporting victims of these complex crimes. The presenters will also discuss agency policy and response, comprehensive training, effective leadership, and family and victim support that agencies can implement to strengthen the health and wellness of officers and build agency-wide and community trust.

Natural disasters create chaos and vulnerability human traffickers seek to exploit. Post-Hurricane Harvey, The Dept. of Health and Human Services began identifying emergency management and disaster responding personnel as uniquely positioned to identify and report trafficking-related suspicious behavior.

This workshop will summarize research on this nexus, case studies on exploitation post-Hurricanes Katrina and Harvey, the Haitian Earthquake of 2010, and articulate how traffickers may seek to exploit displaced persons as well as the disaster recovery framework.

Human trafficking prosecutions often stall when investigators lack resources or when victims are unable or unwilling to participate. In response, actionable tools are needed to dismantle trafficking infrastructure, protect survivors, and achieve meaningful justice even in the most resource-constrained environments.

This workshop will offer a comprehensive model to overcome these challenges by transforming obstacles into opportunities through innovative investigative methods, alternative prosecution strategies, and sustainable victim support systems. Key topics will include the use of open-source intelligence, financial and pattern evidence, co-occurring criminality charges, regulatory and civil enforcement tools, and asset forfeiture mechanisms. Additionally, the workshop aims to highlight trauma-informed practices and victim-centered supports, including immigration services, housing solutions, and economic empowerment. Presenters will share practical approaches for building strong trafficking cases without relying solely on victim testimony or resource-intensive investigations.

Abuse doesn’t end when a perpetrator is arrested, and the pressure abusers place on their victims often intensifies. Jail calls provide powerful evidence, frequently exposing admissions, threats, manipulation, and coercive control. Monitoring these calls enables practitioners to detect patterns of intimidation, identify safety risks, and strengthen case outcomes overall.

This workshop is designed to offer strategies for examining jail calls from both the investigative and prosecutorial perspectives with the goal of providing insight into the coercive dynamics used by abusers and how to leverage this valuable jail call evidence to enhance victim safety, corroborate testimony, and hold offenders accountable.

During Part 1, the presenters will discuss best practices for archiving calls, protective order compliance and filing charges for violations, evidentiary admissibility, overcoming recantations, and other trial strategies to include increasing bonds, forfeiture by wrongdoing evidence, and impeachment evidence. During Part 2, the presenters will dive deeper into specific real-world examples to highlight the concepts discussed in the first part through case study presentations and interactive discussions.

Dual arrests and misidentification of victims remain persistent challenges in domestic violence investigations involving LGBTQI+ partners. Often rooted in heteronormative assumptions traditional frameworks for assessing intimate partner violence (IPV) fail to account for the unique dynamics present in queer relationships. Without culturally competent tools and training, officers and prosecutors may misinterpret mutual injuries, overlook coercive control, and inadvertently retraumatize victims.

This workshop brings together a criminologist specializing in LGBTQI+ IPV research, a victim advocate with extensive experience supporting queer survivors, and a domestic violence detective with years of experiencing investigating and training others on improving responses to IPV. Together, they will offer a multidisciplinary, evidence-informed approach to improving criminal justice responses to same-sex IPV. The presenters will share actionable tools to enhance their understanding of LGBTQI+ relationship dynamics, improve victim engagement, and strengthen case integrity. Moreover, this workshop is designed for law enforcement, prosecutors, advocates, and allied professionals committed to equitable and effective responses to domestic violence in all communities.

Description pending.

Sex trafficking investigations require a trauma-informed, survivor-informed, and multidisciplinary approach to be successful. A critical dynamic that exists within sex trafficking is the presence of polyvictimization where victims and survivors may be subject to not only trafficking, but to domestic violence, sexual assault, and strangulation as well.

This workshop, led by a survivor of sex trafficking who is now a forensic nurse and private investigator, will provide unique insight into both the victim and offender perspectives. Drawing from firsthand experience in undercover operations and professional practice in healthcare, advocacy, and the courtroom, this workshop will bridge investigative and survivor-centered strategies to equip professionals across systems.

The presenter will share how to identify key crossover points between sex trafficking, domestic violence, sexual assault, and strangulation, and why understanding these intersections is essential for effective prosecutions and lifesaving interventions. The workshop will also highlight investigative tips, digital trends in child and adult exploitation, and trauma-informed interview techniques to enhance rapport and information gathering. Designed for law enforcement, attorneys, healthcare professionals, and advocates, this workshop is designed to emphasize the power of collaboration. Survivor-informed advocacy strategies and multidisciplinary best practices will also be shared to empower professionals, strengthen justice responses, and create meaningful change for trafficked and exploited individuals.

“Success depends upon previous preparation.” (Confucius) Regardless of your profession, preparing in advance to ensure you and your organization are equipped to serve victims of human trafficking is the key to success.

Drawing from their combined 48 years of law enforcement experience as well as in their current roles in victim services, the presenters will walk attendees through a crisis recovery from start to finish. The end goal is a customized, coordinated plan of response, identifying both existing resources as well as potential service gaps within a specified region.

Presenters will use their own largely rural region of Texas to highlight strengths and creatively navigate potential weaknesses, showcasing specific examples from their professional experiences.

Domestic violence is not limited to physical assaults. Increasingly, research and legislation recognize coercive control—patterns of intimidation, isolation, manipulation, and domination—as the core of abusive relationships. Although law enforcement professionals are often the first responders to these situations, many forms of coercive control can be subtle, non-physical, and easy to overlook.

This workshop will provide officers with the knowledge and tools to identify coercive control, understand its risks, and respond effectively to protect victims and strengthen cases.

System and community professionals are continually working to develop preventative and intervention strategies that reduce the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and IPV-related homicides. While these efforts are well-intentioned, they risk falling short—or even causing harm—if the voices of survivors are not intentionally integrated into the planning and implementation process. Survivors bring lived experience, insight, and contextual knowledge that cannot be replicated by data alone. Without their perspectives, communities may overlook critical issues such as confidentiality, culturally responsive care, safety planning, and the long-term impacts of trauma.

This workshop will explore how and why centering survivor voices must be a foundational part of any initiative aimed at addressing IPV or preventing domestic violence homicides. Furthermore, practical guidance will be offered on building partnerships that honor survivor leadership, strengthen accountability, and align prevention strategies with the real needs of those most impacted.

The presenters will also discuss strategies to engage survivors in meaningful, trauma-informed ways that promote healing and empowerment rather than re-traumatization. Additionally, the presenters will examine how community-based and systems-level responses to IPV can incorporate survivor insights into risk assessment tools, lethality indicators, and recidivism data to create truly safer and more responsive communities.

Every year, thousands of people go missing in the U.S., with women and people of color especially vulnerable. When someone goes missing, every second counts, but multiple alerting systems (Ashanti, AMBER, Silver, Turquoise, and others) with varying criteria and names can cause confusion, delays, and frustration for families and investigators. Clear communication, collaboration, and understanding of these systems are essential to bringing missing and endangered persons (MEP) home safely. Therefore, it is essential that clarity in similarities, differences, and challenges across MEP alerts is attained.

This workshop will discuss eligibility requirements and criteria across alerting programs, resources and gaps that impact agencies and practitioners, and promising practices for collaboration among law enforcement, advocates, media, and the public. The presenters will also address myths and misconceptions, such as why certain cases don’t trigger alerts and how “alert fatigue” can affect public response.

The workshop will also highlight tools like the National Ashanti Alert Network, as well as direct support services and resources that help strengthen cross-state collaboration, showcase real-world success stories, and support MEP investigations.

Report writing is one of the most fundamental – yet most impactful – responsibilities in law enforcement. A well-written report is often the single greatest tool to create meaningful change in communities and in the lives of those law enforcement serve. For crimes against persons, accuracy and attention to detail can significantly impact whether an investigation is successful and whether offenders are held accountable or not.

The presenter of this workshop will focus specifically on report writing for sexual violence cases. Through guided discussion and practical exercises, attendees will be taught how to document with accuracy, clarity, and sensitivity—building reports that support thorough investigations, withstand scrutiny, and honor the voices of victims.

Native American communities continue to face the long-term impacts of institutional oppression and generational trauma, including forced relocation, boarding schools, jurisdictional barriers, and systemic discrimination in the justice system. These experiences shape how survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault interact with courts and law enforcement. When law enforcement overlooks these dynamics, victims may lose trust, protection orders may not be enforced consistently, and community safety is compromised.

The presenters of this workshop will underscore how essential this context is for enforcing Full Faith and Credit (18 U.S.C. § 2265) for protection orders issued by tribal and state courts.

Alcohol is the cheap, legal, culturally acceptable intoxicant that is present in many sexual assaults that also results in victims being more vulnerable, causes gaps in their memories, makes them less likely to report the assault, and less likely to be believed. Additionally, victims of alcohol-facilitated sexual assault may not be able to provide a complete account of the assault or may only have suspicions or heard rumors of what happened to them. Conversely, perpetrators of sexual assault use alcohol or drugs as a weapon to create or exploit vulnerabilities in their victims and will use their own intoxication as a shield to deflect responsibility.

This workshop will examine the role alcohol plays in facilitating sexual violence by increasing victim vulnerability and blurring the lines of consent. The presenter will focus on investigative and prosecution strategies for supporting victims of alcohol-facilitated sexual assault and uncovering and identifying predatory behavior.

Description pending.

Human trafficking prosecutions often stall when investigators lack resources or when victims are unable or unwilling to participate. In response, actionable tools are needed to dismantle trafficking infrastructure, protect survivors, and achieve meaningful justice even in the most resource-constrained environments.

This workshop will offer a comprehensive model to overcome these challenges by transforming obstacles into opportunities through innovative investigative methods, alternative prosecution strategies, and sustainable victim support systems. Key topics will include the use of open-source intelligence, financial and pattern evidence, co-occurring criminality charges, regulatory and civil enforcement tools, and asset forfeiture mechanisms. Additionally, the workshop aims to highlight trauma-informed practices and victim-centered supports, including immigration services, housing solutions, and economic empowerment. Presenters will share practical approaches for building strong trafficking cases without relying solely on victim testimony or resource-intensive investigations.

Abuse doesn’t end when a perpetrator is arrested, and the pressure abusers place on their victims often intensifies. Jail calls provide powerful evidence, frequently exposing admissions, threats, manipulation, and coercive control. Monitoring these calls enables practitioners to detect patterns of intimidation, identify safety risks, and strengthen case outcomes overall.

This workshop is designed to offer strategies for examining jail calls from both the investigative and prosecutorial perspectives with the goal of providing insight into the coercive dynamics used by abusers and how to leverage this valuable jail call evidence to enhance victim safety, corroborate testimony, and hold offenders accountable.

During Part 1, the presenters will discuss best practices for archiving calls, protective order compliance and filing charges for violations, evidentiary admissibility, overcoming recantations, and other trial strategies to include increasing bonds, forfeiture by wrongdoing evidence, and impeachment evidence. During Part 2, the presenters will dive deeper into specific real-world examples to highlight the concepts discussed in the first part through case study presentations and interactive discussions.

Manipulation is the universal tool that abusers use to obtain and maintain control over the lives of their victims. With varying degrees of sophistication, abusers use fear, love, guilt, anger, sex, money, charm and humiliation to move their victims like pawns on a chess board. They also employ similar tactics of manipulation on family, friends, co-workers, anyone within the victim’s reach to ensure their control does not crumble should the victim decide to ask for help. In a trial setting, a much higher percentage of cases, and generally against advice of counsel, offenders will testify on their own behalf. They believe that given the chance to make themselves the hero, or maybe the victim, of the story, the jury will believe them, and often they are not wrong.

Using a successful cross from a domestic violence homicide as the guide, this workshop will concentrate on cross-examination techniques by analyzing an abusers’ absolute faith in their own powers of persuasion, their M.O. as life-long manipulators, and how they consider themselves masters of the trade. Additionally, the presenter will focus on the practicalities of preparation, structure, admissibility, and adaptability in cross-examination. Which elements create a successful cross-examination of a highly manipulative offender and the skills to build a framework for cross-examination that can be adapted for success in any set of circumstances will also be discussed.

Domestic violence is rooted in power and control—but in the digital age, that control increasingly extends through technology.

This workshop explores how abusers use psychological manipulation and digital tools to dominate their victims and evade accountability. The presenter will examine the intersection of coercion, trauma, and technology in domestic violence cases and share strategies on how to identify patterns of digital coercion, interpret victim behavior through a trauma-informed lens, and use digital evidence to tell a compelling story of control and accountability in court.

The reality of stalking is often in conflict with public perceptions and media representations which can negatively affect how investigations are conducted, cases are charged, and evidence analyzed by judges and juries. Experts with specialized stalking knowledge are invaluable assets in any stalking case because they can provide context about the dynamics, tactics and impact of stalking as well as common victim responses to trauma. By providing this context, qualified experts can assist prosecutors in ensuring that fact finders make informed decisions based on the evidence.

This workshop will describe a variety of dynamics that may be present in stalking case, as well as common victim responses to trauma. The presenters will summarize the law related to the introduction of expert testimony and highlight the importance of deciding if and when to introduce expert testimony in a case. The presenters will also discuss strategies for the identification and qualification of experts, as well as the importance of working with experts to prepare a case for trial even if their testimony will not be introduced.

Are the women who are using violence against their intimate partners, getting arrested and/or court-ordered to nonviolence programs, battering/using coercive control against their partners, using resistive violence, or neither? Does the local coordinated community response have a differentiated response, or are all domestic violence cases treated the same? What are effective group interventions that address the violence women experience and the violence they use? To be effective, group interventions and for women who use violence must address the contextual factors of women’s lives and their motivation for their use of violence.

This workshop will explore a nonviolence program designed specifically to address women’s use of violence in intimate partner relationships. Topics addressed in this workshop will include assessing between three different types of domestic violence, working with criminalized survivors, women’s non-violence programs, and addressing the safety needs of survivors. This workshop will also discuss how groups for women who use violence are different and similar to men’s batterers intervention programs.

Native American communities continue to face the long-term impacts of institutional oppression and generational trauma, including forced relocation, boarding schools, jurisdictional barriers, and systemic discrimination in the justice system. These experiences shape how survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault interact with courts and law enforcement. When law enforcement overlooks these dynamics, victims may lose trust, protection orders may not be enforced consistently, and community safety is compromised.

The presenters of this workshop will underscore how essential this context is for enforcing Full Faith and Credit (18 U.S.C. § 2265) for protection orders issued by tribal and state courts.