Wednesday, April 25, 2012

9:00 - 10:00 a.m. Registration and Breakfast

10:00 a.m. Welcome Ceremony

10:30 a.m. Keynote Address

Noon - 1:00 p.m.  Lunch

1:00 - 4:15 p.m. Workshops

4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Networking Reception

Thursday, April 26, 2012

7:30 – 8:30 a.m. Registration and Breakfast

8:30 a.m. Plenary Session

10:15 - 11:45 a.m. Workshops

11:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Lunch

12:45 - 4:00 p.m. Workshops

2012 Keynote Speaker: Olga Trujillo, J.D.

"The Impact of Child Abuse: A Personal Journey Revealed"

Ms. Trujillo, an attorney, advocate and author, underwent a journey to understand the impact of the violence she witnessed and endured from the child abuse to the rapes she suffered as an adolescent and young adult. In this presentation she reveals what she has learned so far, and although tragic, her story of survival is inspiring and hopeful.

2012 Plenary Speaker: Dr. Joe Sullivan

"Inside the Mind of Sex Offenders"

Dr. Sullivan is a registered forensic psychologist and Director of Mentor Forensic Services, an organization specializing in behavior analysis, child protection and professional sexual misconduct issues. Using video interviews with sex offenders, Dr. Sullivan provides insights into the motivations, thoughts and behaviors of child sex offenders. The goal is to understand the complexity of the problem for better implementation of policies and procedures to ensure effective safeguarding for all.

In addition to our workshops, tours of Bivona Child Advocacy Center will be available during the Summit. Please let us know if you are interested in a tour!

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Workshop Session I

Examining the Impact of Trauma and Dissociation and What It Means for Your Work 

Olga Trujillo, J.D., Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Survivor, Speaker & Consultant

In this interactive workshop Ms. Trujillo will bring her experience of trauma and dissociation to help participants expand their knowledge of trauma from an inside-out perspective. This is a unique perspective of personal and professional experience brought together to help further the responses to investigations and prosecutions of cases involving victims of trauma and dissociation.

Shifting the Responsibility of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention from Children to Adults

Tiffany Sawyer, Director of Prevention Services at the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy

Child Sexual Abuse is no longer society’s darkest secret when it has been shown that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthdays. Through Darkness to Light’s sexual abuse prevention training program, all adults who work with and have responsibility for children and youth will have the courage and tools to protect children from this horror.

Corroborating Evidence

Victor Vieth, Director, National Child Protection Training Center

Corroborating evidence doubles the chance a suspect will confess to child sexual abuse, increases the likelihood of a prosecution, and otherwise makes it more difficult for defense "experts" to attack the forensic interview. Working as a team, participants of this dynamic session will learn to tear apart a child’s statement and find the corroborating physical evidence in cases of child sexual abuse.

It’s Normal to Be Normal

Jack F. Coyne, MD FAAP, Medical Director of Erie, Niagara, and Genesee County Child Advocacy Centers

The purpose of this workshop is to have the participants appreciate the importance, the essential purpose, and the power of the forensic medical evaluation of the abused child. What are we left with if the objective examination is essentially normal; if lesions once there have healed leaving no signs of post trauma? How is this possible? Clearly the power and importance of the medical examination lies in its ability to heal; its process is on the most therapeutic, seldom diagnostic opportunities we have to allow the child to begin to heal. Essentially – give power back to the child so he or she is no longer a victim.

Workshop Session II

Recantation in Cases of Child Abuse

Victor Vieth, Director, National Child Protection Training Center

This presentation will show a number of interventions that can be made to prevent recantation and to minimize its effects. Victims of sexual abuse should have advocates appointed for them early in the proceedings to provide them with early and continual support. Both children and abusers should receive mental health treatment directly following disclosure as another source of support for the children. Finally, judicial changes should take place so the experience of testifying and gathering evidence is less traumatic for the children. 

Domestic Sex Trafficking Investigations

Andra Ackerman, Deputy Chief of the Special Victims Trial Division for the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office

This workshop will assist attendees on how to identify sex trafficking in their jurisdiction and provide successful investigative techniques as well as discuss the benefits of using a multidisciplinary approach to investigating sex trafficking cases.

Victim Behavior: Why Do They Do That?

Olga Trujillo, J.D., Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Survivor, Speaker and Consultant

This presentation will examine the struggles first responders and other professionals face in handling child abuse cases, and explore efforts that can be undertaken to improve their ability to work with families experiencing interpersonal violence. This workshop will be a blend of a question-answer format, as well as discussion of a case study.

Intimate Partner Violence

Nicole Trabold, PhD, LMSW, Faculty Research Associate at the University of Rochester School of Nursing

This workshop will provide background on theoretical frameworks, definitions of intimate partner violence and the skills necessary to assess and intervene with violence in the context of an intimate relationship. This workshop will also present the current state-of –research evidence and recommendations regarding interventions on all levels (individual, couples, families and communities)

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Workshop Session III

Just Looking: How Risky Are Collectors of Indecent Images of Children

Joe Sullivan, CPsychol, MA, BA(Hons), CQSW, Dip Psych, Registered Forensic Psychologist, Director of Mentor Forensic Services LTD

This workshop explores one of the key questions facing professionals dealing with sex offenders who view/download child pornography; will they commit contact sexual offenses? The presentation material will inform and challenge participants and postulate that this is the wrong question for professionals to ask. Using video extracts of interviews with sex offenders, Dr. Sullivan will provide insight into how we can better assess the risks posed by these offenders.

Integrating Schools Into the Child Abuse Intervention & Prevention Team: Challenges & Solutions for Encouraging Trauma-Informed School Personnel

Karen Hill, Director of the Southern Tier Child Advocacy Center

Craig Zuckerman, D.Ed. Associate Professor of Counselor Education at St. Bonaventure University

Denise Straub, Program Coordinator and Forensic Interviewer for the Southern Tier Child Advocacy Center

School personnel’s response to child abuse continues to be a perplexing and provocative issue, given that most maltreated children spend on extensive amount of time under the watchful eyes of mandated reporters in schools; yet the potential for collaboration and joint effort between schools and the child abuse response and prevention community is underutilized. This workshop provides participants with a review of the pertinent literature exploring the topic, presentation of recent research data generated by a survey of school personnel in the Southern Tier of WNY, and a road map for any professional working to build positive connections with trauma- informed school personnel, to effectively respond to child maltreatment.

Law Enforcement Post Traumatic Stress and Police Suicide

Tim Whitcomb, Sheriff for the Cattaraugus County Sheriff’s Office

Michelle Federowicz, RN, BSN, MSN, Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services

A dynamic, powerful and emotional presentation regarding the reality of the incident rate of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder within the ranks of our law enforcement community. Emphasis is placed on the history of PTSD, with a specific focus on police suicide, as well as recommendations for administrative training to prepare, insulate, protect and treat the expected exposure to trauma.

Fatal & Serious Physical Injury Child Abuse Investigations (with a special focus on abusive head trauma) - Part I

Andra Ackerman, Deputy Chief of the Special Victims Trial Division for the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office

Part I: This workshop will assist attendees on effective ways to investigate child fatality and serious physical injury cases. This workshop will include case studies and provide investigative knowledge and assistance to all members of the multidisciplinary team. Participants will also learn how to increase the likelihood of obtaining the evidence needed for a successful prosecution.

Workshop Session IV

Fatal & Serious Physical Injury Child Abuse Investigations (with special focus on abusive head trauma) - Part II

Andra Ackerman, Deputy Chief of the Special Victims Trial Division for the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office

Part II: This workshop will assist attendees on effective ways to investigate child fatality and serious physical injury cases. This workshop will include case studies and provide investigative knowledge and assistance to all members of the multidisciplinary team. Participants will also learn how to increase the likelihood of obtaining the evidence needed for a successful prosecution.

Sexually Aggressive Youth - Stopping Them In Their Tracks

Janette Cyganovich-Brush, M.S.ed, Coordinator of the Broome County Family Violence Prevention Council

Cheryl Sullivan, Esq., Senior Assistant County Attorney with the Broome County Attorney’s Office

Ronee Brimberg-Clark, LCSW-R, Supervisor of the Family and Children’s Society’s Sexual Abuse Programs

Sexually aggressive youth are being identified at alarming rates. Last year one in ten cases sent to the County Attorney’s Office for prosecution in Broome County was for allegations of sexual aggression. Members from the Sexually Aggressive Youth Intervention Team will share their community’s philosophy and successful model for working with sexually aggressive youth.

Child Abuse - The Bivona Solution

Mary E. Whittier, LMSW, Founding Executive Director, Bivona Child Advocacy Center

Bob Way, Senior Caseworker, Monroe County Child Protective Services

Nicole Thomson, LCSW, Crisis Intervention Program at Catholic Family Center

Danielle Thomas-Taylor, MD, REACH Program at Golisano Children’s Hospital at University of Rochester

Using Bivona Child Advocacy Center as an example, a panel of experts from Bivona’s Multidisciplinary Team will discuss the Child Advocacy Center movement and how a multidisciplinary team approach to child sexual abuse helps professionals, children and families. Participants will learn about the collaboration in the investigation and treatment of child abuse, and how Bivona Child Advocacy Center can be a resource to professionals.

Adolescent Victims/Witnesses

Deidre Chuckrow, Attorney at the New York Prosecutor’s Training Institute

Teenagers involved in the justice system, either on the criminal or family court side, present unique challenges to those trying to obtain information from them. This workshop will focus on strategies an interviewer should use; the importance of building a rapport with the teen and the implications of and importance of technology to teens.

Workshop Session V

Cyberbullying, Sexting…How to Keep Youth Safer in a Changing World of Technology

Ed Suk, MSW, LCSW-R, Executive Director, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children/NY Branch

Pam Weaver, Director of Community Education, National Center for Missing & Exploited Children/NY Branch

Utilizing the NetSmartz Workshop, participants will learn how cyber-bullying, sexting, use of smart phones and social networking can affect a child’s social, emotional and physical health; how to spot it, deal with it and talk about it with youth. Did you know that 1 in 6 teens reported receiving a sexually suggestive image or message through online technology? This presentation will discuss the current use of technology, the social and legal consequences of misuse, and what we can do to encourage a safer online presence.

Vicarious Trauma: Who Cares for the Caregivers?

Marie T. Sergent, Ph.D., Psychologist in Private Practice and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychology (Psychiatry), University of Rochester.

Working with trauma survivors changes us in subtle and profound ways that often parallel the reactions of survivors. All of us who work with or serve clients who have been traumatized are at risk for vicarious trauma (VT), at times referred to as secondary trauma. This workshop will explore the interaction between the nature of trauma work and the self of the provider. Participants will learn to identify signs of VT and to name self-care strategies that can minimize its impact on our lives.

Road Trip - The Story of A Female Adult Offender Who Travelled 500 Miles to Meet a Minor Victim She Met Online

Dan Bradley, Special Agent with the Federal Bureau Investigation

Aaron Mango, Assistant United States Attorney, U.S. Attorney’s Office Western District of New York

A case study of a rare female offender convicted of a federal charge in receipt of child pornography. The presenters will discuss the communications between the 35-year-old female offender and the 16-year-old victim, the extensive grooming and emotional manipulation by the offender, and the evidence gathering techniques used. The discussion will also focus on the plea negotiations, the federal sentencing guidelines, and the sentencing hearing, which included a statement by the victim’s father.

Click here to download a PDF version of the workshop schedule. 

For more information about the Summit, or to be added to our Summit mailing list, please contact Donna Lipari at (585) 935-7831 or at dlipariBivonaCAC [dot] org.

For general information about Bivona, please call (585) 935-7800 or email KidsCountBivonaCAC [dot] org.