Treatment Strategies for Children and Adolescents Who Have Been Exposed to Sexual Violence or Domestic Violence

This presentation will consist of practical treatment approaches
for helping traumatized youth develop a ‘toolbox’ of coping
mechanisms for dealing with ongoing trauma in their life and
practical approaches for helping youth find meaning in their
daily life. Also reviewed will be strategies for improving social
skills in situations that are often marked by ongoing violence or
other types of trauma.

Cyberstalking: Technology Abuse & Victim Safety

Come explore critical technology issues for victims of all ages.
Drawing from many survivor experiences and legal cases, we will highlight key safety risks and benefits of phone, surveillance, imaging, mapping, Internet, computer and assistive technologies including mobile and Internet phones, Bluetooth, cameras, Global Positioning Systems (GPS), e-mail, instant messaging, texting, TTY and new relay services, wireless networks, SpyWare and more. We will also address social networking and virtual worlds like Facebook, Second Life, YouTube, photo-sharing, job searching and dating sites.

Eliminating the “Language Barrier”: Strategies for Language Accessibility

This workshop addresses the responsibilities of federal funds
recipients to provide language assistance and meaningful access to non-English speakers, strategies to ensure language assistance, and how to manage an interpreted session. Additionally, participants will discuss limited English proficiency plans and have the opportunity to create a simulated plan for their agency.

Naming the Unnamed Conspirator

The influence of societal attitude ranks high among the many
challenges we face in sexual assault cases. Commonly held
beliefs about victims, offenders and the meaning of consent all
play important roles in how sexual assault cases are understood
and handled in our culture. This session will examine the
influences at work on children, jurors and members of our
communities as it relates to sexual assault. It will offer a
common sense approach and provide learning opportunities that
everyone can take back to their work.

Whatever It Takes-A Victim/Survivor Centered Approach to Law Enforcement

This session explores ways that law enforcement agencies can make victims’ needs a priority. Examples of innovative and successful projects will be presented. The presenter will demonstrate how his agency is implementing a “Whatever It Takes” approach to serving victims.

Break / Wellness and Information Fair / Walk / Mini Workshops

• Wellness Walk

• Animal Assisted Therapy
• Dance

• Massage

Meeting the Consent Defense in Sexual Assault Cases

This session will discuss the components of a consent defense in sexual assault cases. The presenter will identify at least three investigative strategies to strengthen cases and correlate
investigative strategies to prosecutorial strategies for trial.

Identifying the Dominant Aggressor (Part I)

Sheriff Webre defines dominant agressor in domestic violence
crimes and lists criteria to identify the predominant agressor. He
will also explore effective investigative methods.

Elder Abuse a Multidimensional Perspective: Strategies for Change

This presentation is an exploration of elder abuse from a
multidimensional perspective utilizing a sociocultural political
lens. As the aging population’s life expectancy increases the
resources they need to enhance their quality of life decreases.
Our elders have traditionally been a vulnerable population. With
a decrease of services, loss of reverence, and ageist mentality
we have a recipe for violence. The definition, causes, and types
of elder abuse will be discussed. Prevention and intervention
strategies will be provided.

Stalking — Dynamic Intervention

Documentation by itself produces few results when violent
stalkers are involved. The victim must begin to establish a log of
events for use in future prosecution. Officers/Detectives need
to document that a safety plan was given to the victim and must
quickly identify the stalker and develop a threat assessment, as
well as intelligence for surveillance tact plans. The presenters
will discuss the usefulness of restraining orders to establish clear
intent and allow for immediate arrest during surveillance tact
plans and the need to obtain an arrest warrant to allow for
immediate locate and arrest. A video outlining the need for
dynamic intervention will be shown.

An Alternative Path to Justice and Accountability: Civil Court — Why, When, and How to Seek Civil Remedies

Wrongdoers should be held responsible for their actions to the fullest extent of the law, and the law includes civil liability. The civil justice system offers unique opportunities to victims of
crime to hold offenders and other non-criminal wrongdoers to task for the dangers they have created and the harms they have caused. Civil law remedies are not available in every instance, but are an often overlooked option that can ease suffering and achieve justice. Join us in exploring this avenue of relief and accountability.

Supporting the Reporting Victim in Sexual Assault Cases

This session will examine the methods of supporting victims of sexual assault in the criminal justice system. It will also assess the usefulness of outside assistance such as civil attorneys and victims’ rights groups.

Identifying the Dominant Aggressor (Part II)

Sheriff Webre continues his presentation from the morning session (W2) on the dominant aggressor in domestic violence crimes.

The Effects of Witnessing Domestic Violence on Children

This presentation explores the effects of witnessing domestic violence on children and how it can affect the investigation and prosecution of these crimes. Many still believe children are only impacted by violence that is directly inflicted on them. However,
studies have shown that the impact of witnessing domestic violence can, at times, have more devastating effects due to the experience of being a bystander who is powerless, confused, and immobilized. Learn about child development, child understanding of violence, the effects of witnessing domestic violence, and culturally informed prevention and intervention strategies for dealing with these issues.

New Mexico Corrections Department Classification and Victim Services

This two-part presentation will provide information about the New Mexico Corrections Department classification system and the services the Department offers to crime victims. Participants will learn about the various custody levels for inmates and how inmates are classified. The presentation will define current sentencing laws, to includeu undeterminate laws, determinate laws and parole terms for sex offenders. Additionally, content will outline New Mexico good time laws. The second part of the presentation will provide information about the Victim Services Program. Participants will learn about the type of services offered by the Victim Services Program to crime victims to help navigate the complex corrections system.

Facilitating Groups with Adolescent Female Survivors of Sexual Assault

Learn how to create and facilitate a therapy group for adolescent female survivors of sexual assault and about the dynamics that influence the group process. Forms of group treatment that can be used with adolescent female survivors of sexual assault will
also be discussed.

Twenty-Eight Days — The Story of Innocence to Impetus

This presentation will provide an in-depth review of a domestic
violence case from 1996 that became the impetus for change in
Pitt County. The objective of the presentation is to focus on
specific offender and societal dynamics that directly effect
victims of domestic violence.

Bringing Light to the Reality of Rape Against Native Women

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, Native American women are 3.5 times more likely to be raped than women of other races. Native American advocates have been aware of this for years, yet until Amnesty International published their report, Maze of Injustice, in 2007, this reality has been invisible to the majority of the country. This presentation explores where these high rates have come from, the effects they have on our communities, and what we can begin to do to alleviate the harm that has been, and continues to be done.

Keeping Your Life in Balance

Assisting others in crisis takes a toll on professional helpers, volunteers and families. Hearing, seeing and dealing with sad things makes our hearts hurt and our spirits sag. We get tired, irritable and discouraged. This workshop will identify signs of vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and burn out. Attendees will learn to design a plan for themselves and their  organizations to prevent and address these issues. Determine your current stress level. Discover unique ways to keep life in balance. Experience some fun and laughter! This will be a hands-on, fast paced and uplifting experience that is all about the attendee and re-claiming their joy and energy.

Effective Domestic Violence Response — Why Changing Mindsets Improves Victim Safety

Receive an inside look at the dynamics that are occurring within relationships where domestic violence is present. A special focus on offender dynamics will be provided along with investigative tips to ensure the offender’s “Private Face” is exposed. Information will be provided on techniques that law enforcement officers and service providers can use to increase victim safety and offender accountability.

Breaking the Chains that Bind Youth: Building a Coordinated Community Safety Net to Stop Teen Dating Violence

This workshop will orient the participant to the dynamics of teen dating violence, how it differs from adult domestic violence or child witnessing of domestic violence, and ways this serious public health concern is impacting New Mexico. Breaking the Chains will offer a full menu of innovative tools and resources to address teen dating violence on an individual, community and state level. Participants will be given a road map for change and commit to taking one step toward ending teen dating violence in their home communities.

Prisoner Rape Elimination Act Law (PREA): Advocacy and Impacts in New Mexico

The Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) is a federal law to combat the problems of sexual abuse in juvenile and adult correctional facilities. This panel will discuss the purpose and standards of PREA. Individual panelists will describe measures their organizations have taken to implement PREA and advocate for inmates.

No, We Have No Money

This presentation discusses how to develop positive relationships that will enhance your community projects and the definition of a silo. Attendees learn ways to develop positive community relationships and how to reach out to media.

Exposing What's Concealed — Domestic Violence and Firearms

This presentation will provide an overview of federal firearms laws. The objective of this training is to ensure that officers who attend acquire a firm understanding of the local officer’s authority to enforce federal gun laws. The presentation will include information on promising legislation and practices concerning the seizure of firearms in the context of domestic violence. Information on sending referrals to the BATF and working joint pro-active investigations will also be discussed.

Working with Children of Incarcerated Parents

The number of children with parents in the prison system continues to rise each year. This growing population of children has unique needs which are often overlooked in traditional settings. Identifying these children and providing support which allows them to have a childhood is essential to breaking the cycle of incarceration.

Lend An Ear, Bite Your Tongue!

Learn the latest and greatest in the arena of crisis intervention and communication skills. This workshop will update crisis knowledge, reinforce skills and give attendees practical tools they can use immediately!

New Methodology in Criminal Justice Response: Examining Rape of Native Women in a Small City

In the United States, Native women are over three times more
likely to be raped than women of other races. The examination of rape of Native women has primarily been limited to Indian Country - women living on reservation land. In 2007 and 2008, Mending the Sacred Hoop and the Program to Aid Victims of Sexual Assault conducted a safety and accountability audit and took an up-close look at the criminal justice response to rape of Native women in Duluth, MN, an off-reservation urban community. The audit was conducted by a multi-disciplinary team, including the deputy chief of police, assistant county attorney (the criminal division head of the county attorney's office), advocates, and other Native women from the community. In this workshop, the audit coordinators will share what was learned, what changes are being implemented in Duluth as a result of the audit, and how you might apply the methodology of the safety audit and findings to your community.

Elder Care Services

This session provides information on understanding the caregiver’s role and outlines dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The presenter discusses the grieving process and bereavement and disseminates information about support services. Personal stories and strategies
are also shared.

Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chávez (invited) and Animals in Action

Mayor Chávez has been a strong advocate for a live-exit animal
shelter system in Albuquerque. We are grateful to him for bringing adoptable dogs and cats to AIA that have been spayed/neutered, vaccinated and micro chipped, resulting in no adoption fees for our conference participants.

Housing Advocacy for Domestic Violence Survivors

This session will cover the new housing protections in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), building linkages with public housing authorities and housing advocates and helping survivors work towards safe and long term housing options. Domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness. As many in our communities face housing instability, how can we best assist domestic violence survivors?

Reframing Domestic Violence as a Human Rights Violation

This presentation discusses the case of Jessica Gonzales vs.
United States, currently before the Inter-American Commission
on Human Rights, and the opportunities it presents for advocates
and scholars to reframe domestic violence as a human rights
violation. The historical conceptions of domestic violence, efforts
to address intimate violence by advocates, and how a human
rights approach might spur advocates to look in new directions
and utilize new sources is also addressed.

Trauma Stewardship - How To Do the Work We Want To Do Without It Doing Us In!

As human beings, we are affected by our surroundings. When
exposed to hardship, crisis, stressful circumstances, and/or trauma we attempt to make sense of what we see, hear and experience the best we can. In this workshop we explore how we are impacted by our society, work and/or careers. Through a larger backdrop of systematic oppression and liberation theory we come to understand the shifts that occur in us personally and professionally and why we adapt the way we do. The discussion focuses on how to reconcile what we experience in our work and the world around us in a way that is compassionate and honest, as well as accountable and sustainable. Whether one may be experiencing fatigue, cynicism, guilt, a sense of not doing enough or any other number of consequences of demanding work, we come to understand how we can make choices that will allow us to interact with our work and our lives in such a way as to remain true to ourselves and those we serve. While respecting the seriousness of the issues at hand, this path incorporates much humor and a profound sense of hopefulness by drawing on a broad base of clinical approaches, social justice theory and spiritual traditions.

Animal Adoptions in the Atrium