Summary:

This session identifies the historical and traditional ways that domestic and sexual violence were addressed in American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities prior to colonization and how historical experiences persist to have residual trauma in the community. Recommendations are provided to improve advocacy for native communities that have been affected by domestic and sexual violence.

Summary:

The Domestic Violence High Risk Team (DVHRT) Model was born from one community’s tragedy and has gone on to national recognition and replication as a leading strategy for intimate partner homicide prevention. This presentation provides a comprehensive understanding of the DVHRT Model, with an overview of the research at its foundation, and includes a discussion on the function and structure of key partners in this multidisciplinary approach. Participants will learn how team members work together to identify high-risk cases and mobilize risk management strategies.

Summary:

The negative psychological effects of surviving a mass violence incident are second only to injury and death, and these types of incidents usually have a slower recovery trajectory. Everyone who is exposed is in some way touched by what happened and may not understand their reactions. The good news is that most distress reactions are quite common and dissipate over time with good social supports and coping skills. This webinar provides psychoeducational information to assist victims and survivors in understanding their reactions and how to best cope with them. It also helps providers to understand how powerful this information is in decreasing anxiety and fear of the development of mental illness.

Summary:

During this session, practical information is be provided to direct service providers and other programs open to the public about service and support animals. Learn the differences between service animals, crisis response canines, emotional support animals, therapy animals, and pets. Find out the laws in the United States that apply to these animals, including the Fair Housing Act, and learn about New Mexico's "Model Guidelines for Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals in Domestic Violence Programs and Shelters," which provides policy suggestions and other tips for working with clients who have emotional support animals and how to respectfully respond when someone tries to bring in a dog or animal that isn’t appropriate for public access.

Summary:

The field of victim services has marched from a movement to a profession. Learn more about current trends and growth in the field and how to use innovation to better serve victims.

Summary:

In October 2017, the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act was signed into law. The law requires the U.S. Department of Justice to take a number of steps to both enhance its own efforts and to support the efforts of state and local prosecutors, law enforcement, and other elder justice professionals in preventing and combatting elder abuse and financial exploitation. This session explores the different forms of elder abuse, the role that dementia and other cognitive issues play, promising preventive measures, and some of the challenges of prosecuting such cases.

Summary:

Victims react to the psychological trauma of a crime in various ways. In order to ensure they receive the care they need, you must become familiar with the impact of trauma and the concept of trauma-informed care. This session will provide insight into the surprising similarities of victims and police officers that will help connect the complex thought patterns of a victim in trying to survive the moment and in the long term

Summary:

Survivors of sexual assault are at heightened risk for a variety of mental health problems, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety. They are also more likely to consider or attempt suicide. This session will provide information from an extensive meta-analysis of research focused on the range of mental health problems that are associated with sexual assault and discuss risk factors for developing mental health problems after victimization. The discussion will address the role of service providers, friends, family, and other loved ones in supporting survivors.

Summary:

The National Identity Theft Victims Assistance Network seeks to expand and improve the outreach and capacity of victim service programs to better address the rights and needs of victims of identity theft and cybercrime nationwide through a national network that enhances the capacity to provide assistance to victims and encourages expansion of existing victim service programs and coalitions. This session provides guidance on improving and expanding service to identity theft victims.

Summary:

Teenagers are impressionable and influenced by the world around them, which in turn can impact the way they view relationships and what they believe is or is not abusive behavior. This session will identify warning signs of teen relationship abuse and explore the effect relationship abuse has on teens.

Summary:

Finding adequate and appropriate emergency, transitional, and long-term housing for victims of human trafficking is often the biggest service-related challenge that service providers face. In order to meet the diverse needs of trafficking victims, service providers should explore a variety of options, considering specific safety and level of care needs of each victim. This session will discuss the intersection between housing, substance use, and addiction, and will explore the impact of the opioid crisis on the already limited appropriate and available housing supply for victims of trafficking.