Points of view or opinions are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official positions or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Supporting Indigenous Victims of Violence
Date: November 20, 2020Length: 1.25 hours
Summary:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), homicide is the third leading cause of death among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) women between 0 and 24 years of age, and the fifth leading cause of death for AI/AN women between 25 and 34 years of age. Additionally, indigenous women are more likely than other women to experience sexual and physical violence. This session will address resources available to indigenous victims of violence.
Developing a Co-Response to a Mass Violence Incident During a Community Crisis
Date: September 16, 2020Length: 1.25 hours
Summary:
What does a community do when one day they experience a mass shooting and the next day the same community is hit with a devastating tornado? Preparing a comprehensive response to incidents of mass violence or terrorism includes planning for the possibility that an incident could occur when another community crisis is taking place, such as a natural disaster or health response. While all communities have natural disaster response plans and some are prepared for incidents of mass violence and terrorism, we seldom consider that a co-response (responding to two incidents at the same time) may be necessary. This session discusses some of the points of consideration when creating a co-response plan, including suggestions and challenges.
Supportive Services Available to Survivors of Sexual Assault in the Military – A Military- and Community-Based Collaboration
Date: August 19, 2020Length: 1.25 hours
Summary:
This session provides information on understanding sexual assault reporting options in the military, in addition to immediate and long-term support services available to survivors. This session ensures that sexual assault victim advocates have a better understanding of potential gaps in services, as well as assistance, support, and interventions available to victims.
Non-Fatal Strangulation: Recognizing the Injuries and Connecting Victims to Care
Date: July 15, 2020Length: 1.25 hours
Summary:
Non-fatal strangulation is an insidious form of violence that often goes unreported. This session is an opportunity for advocates, law enforcement, and other allied professionals to increase their awareness and understanding about the serious health, neurological, and emotional effects of non-fatal strangulation within the context of domestic violence and sexual assault. Victims of non-fatal strangulation are at higher risk of death, so it is essential for those working with victims to recognize possible indicators of strangulation injuries and understand the critical importance of referring for medical assistance, even when no visible injuries are present.
The U.S. Department of Justice National Elder Fraud Hotline To Assist Victims of Financial Fraud
Date: June 17, 2020Length: 1.25 hours
Summary:
Associate Deputy Attorney General Toni Bacon, Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Deputy Director Kathrina Peterson, and staff at the National Elder Fraud Hotline discuss the services available from this new U.S. Department of Justice hotline. Launched in March 2020 and managed by OVC, the hotline is available to assist older adults who may be victims of financial fraud in reporting fraud to the appropriate agencies. As a result of the session, participants will be able to identify services available to victims through the hotline and identify resources and approaches for referring potential victims of financial fraud for additional support.
Vicarious Trauma in First Responders
Date: May 20, 2020Length: 1.25 hours
Summary:
In this session, participants will learn about strategies to recognize and respond to work-related trauma exposure and how this exposure may impact successful working relationships with victims of crime in their communities. The session also highlights resources available to first responders to address secondary traumatic stress and vicarious trauma.
Sustainability Planning
Date: April 15, 2020Length: 1.25 hours
Summary:
Is your organization positioned to continue providing high-quality services to victims of crime while navigating the ebb and flow of resources, changes in organizational assets, and shifting community partnerships? These are just a few factors essential to sustainability, which is defined as the capacity of a program or organization to accomplish long-lasting success and stability. Find out more about starting or expanding your organization’s sustainability planning efforts.
Helping Survivors of Multiple Victimizations
Date: March 18, 2020Length: 1.25 hours
Summary:
Polyvictimization refers to having experienced multiple victimizations, such as sexual abuse, physical abuse, bullying, and exposure to family violence, and occurs when individuals experience different kinds of victimization, rather than multiple episodes of the same kind of victimization. Understanding the prevalence, occurrence, and identification of polyvictimization across all generations is essential for victim advocates and other victim-serving professionals to help ensure that the right types of assistance, support, and intervention are made available.
Innovative Practices for Family Justice Centers
Date: February 19, 2020Length: 1.25 hours
Summary:
Family Justice Centers provide a “one-stop shop” for victims of family violence (intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse). These co-located, multidisciplinary service centers reduce the number of places a victim must go to receive services following the crime. Services include, but are not limited to, assistance with protective orders, legal services, medical, counseling, safety planning, and more. This session allows the audience to inquire about innovative practices within the Family Justice Center model.
Increasing Community Awareness of Labor Trafficking
Date: January 15, 2020Length: 1.25 hours
Summary:
Presenters discuss trauma-informed approaches to increasing community awareness of labor trafficking, as well as explore how to help community partners provide potential victims with appropriate resources for support. As a result of the session, participants will: identify approaches that victim service providers can take to expand their knowledge and/or community knowledge of labor trafficking, discuss innovative approaches for outreach and awareness on labor trafficking, and identify resources and approaches for referring potential victims of labor trafficking safely for additional support.
