To assist you with your selections, we have identified workshops of particular interest to certain groups with the abbreviations and icons below:
CJ – Criminal Justice Field
M – Medical Professionals
SS – Social Service Organizations
GA – General Audience
· Advanced Sessions
ü Intermediate Sessions
¨ Basic Sessions
1. Interviewing Skills for Victims of Sexual Assault
The most challenging assignment for first responders and Law Enforcement can be interviewing a rape victim – information vital to the investigation must come directly from the victim. This win-win approach looks at techniques for interacting with the victim that will not re-victimize her/him while still getting the vital information needed for the investigation.
Speaker: Wende Hilsenrod
Texas Association Against Sexual Assault
ü CJ
2. Protective Orders: The Complexities of Civil Protection
Civil protective orders are an important legal remedy for victims of intimate partner violence, sexual assault and stalking. This session will provide an introduction to the types of protective orders in Texas; which type of Protective Order is right for the situation and application process; what laws are out there and facts about family violence and how to answer them.
Speaker: Adrian Sloan & Jose Juan Lara Jr.
Texas Advocacy Project
¨ CJ, SS, GA
3. Child Abuse: A National Epidemic (Physical Abuse) Part 1
Sgt. Bill Davis, a thirty-six year police veteran with twenty years experience investigating child abuse and sex crimes incidents, shows over 150 power point slides discussing physical abuse to children. He will discuss criminal laws, fourteen physical abuse indicators, wound identification, and profiles that will aid you in protecting children.
Speaker: Sergeant Bill Davis
Beaumont Police Department (retired)
· CJ, M, SS
4. Are We Protecting Children from Sexual Assault
The mass media continues to feed into the stereotype that all sex offenders are “predators” or “pedophiles.” Society must be cautious in using such characteristics without empirical data to support such a homogenous label. The efficacy of society managing sex offenders is related to a multitude of issues such as understanding myths and facts, identifying high risk offenders, deviant sexual behavior, cognitive distortions, recidivism rates, grooming techniques, and treatment modalities. This presentation will discuss issues and legislation confronting our communities.
Speaker: Allison Taylor
Council on Sex Offender Treatment
¨ CJ, SS, GA
5. Working with Victims on Death Cases
Panel discussion including persons working with victims from the time the crime is committed throughout the criminal justice journey. Learn how advocates, prosecutors, officers and victims work together through a long and many times frustrating process. Discuss cycles of feelings and emotions along with how professionals can work with these victims realistically and effectively through the process. (cases discussed will focus on homicide and intoxication manslaughter).
Speaker: Brian Baker
Brazos County District Attorney’s Office
ü CJ, SS
6. What Everyone Should Know About CPS
This is an informative presentation that will provide an insight into Child Protective Services. CPS structure and services will be explained to enhance understanding and communication to help ensure the safety and well being of all children through more efficient working relationships.
Speaker: Mark Stoddard
Special Investigator, CPS
¨ CJ, M, SS, GA
7. Child Abuse: A National Epidemic (Sexual Abuse)
Part 2
Sgt. Bill Davis, will continue his child abuse presentation using over 150 power point slides to discuss criminal laws dealing with sexual abuse. He will cover profiles of the three types of pedophiles, profiles of the three types of rapists, incestuous families, and other sexual issues to aid you in protecting children.
Speaker: Sergeant Bill Davis
Beaumont Police Department (retired)
· CJ, SS, GA
8. Serving Male Victims of Sexual Assault
Sexual assault of men and boys occurs on a daily basis in various contexts. Some experts believe as many as 1 in 10 men are sexually assaulted in their lifetime, yet, male sexual assault issues are still a taboo topic. This presentation is a therapeutic model that looks at the myths surrounding sexual assault and men, and what methods and services best assists this population.
Speaker: Wende Hilsenrod
Texas Association Against Sexual Assault
¨ CJ, SS
9. Child Abuse Burn Wounds
Almost 90% of burns are caused by household accidents or child abuse. Burn injuries can occur from a variety of sources such as space heaters, matches, or fire places along with scalding liquids or submersion in hot bath water. This workshop will analyze burn wounds on children that are present because of abuse.
Speaker: Dr. James Lukefahr
University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio
· CJ, M
10. Animal Abuse, Child Abuse & Domestic Violence
This presentation will cover the link between animal abuse, child abuse, and domestic violence. It will also increase your understanding about the importance of pets and how they become targets. Also discussed will be the psychological impact on children and how animal abuse can be a basis for CPS intervention.
Speaker: Rachel Vines & Ashley Wesp
Brazos Animal Shelter
¨ CJ, SS, GA
11. Sex & The Law
This presentation has been presented to thousands of students in schools throughout Texas. This program is NOT a sex education program. It is an educational presentation where Sgt. Davis discusses Texas criminal laws dealing with teenagers and adults, as well as civil laws dealing with pregnancy, paternity suits, child support, and rights of the mother, father and child.
Speaker: Sergeant Bill Davis
Beaumont Police Department (retired)
· CJ, SS, GA
12. The Voice of a Victim: Victim Sensitivity and Victim Services Overview
A death penalty case means that the victim’s family will need support through the entire process, including the execution of the offender. This workshop will provide attendees with a perspective from the Victim’s point of view by allowing an actual victim to tell their story. By hearing the victim’s story, we learn the needs of victims and the pitfalls to avoid in working with them so as not to re-victimize them. An overview of TDCJ Victim Services involvement with the victims and other agencies will be discussed.
Speaker: James Brazzil, Malcolm Mire & Lisa Warren
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
¨ CJ, SS, GA
13. Child Abuse or not, You make the call?
This workshop will review basic principles and introduce new concepts in child abuse. The range of topics covered includes head injury, bruises, burns, fractures and sexual abuse. Information will be presented in a case based format, with cases introduced, followed by pictures of the findings, a question regarding the case, then an answer and explanation into the findings.
Speaker: Dr. Jim Anderst
University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio
· CJ, M
14. Dating Violence in a Nutshell: Myths & Facts
This workshop will give an overview of the issues of teen dating violence in the United States and particularly in Texas. We will address House Bill 121 legislation, primary prevention ideas and intervention techniques.
Speaker: Yasmin Turk
Texas Council on Family Violence
¨ SS, GA
15. Legislative Updates
Discussion of what happened during the last legislative session and the impact of criminal laws as it applies to crime victims. The session will focus on victim rights, Texas’ Jessica’s Law, new crimes and procedures in the penal code and code of criminal procedure. We will also discuss the Texas Youth Commission scandal.
Speaker: Erik Nielsen
Texas District & County Attorneys Association
¨ CJ, SS, GA
16. The Voice of a Victim: Part 2
Speaker: James Brazzil, Malcolm Mire & Lisa Warren
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
17. Cyberbulling and You
This workshop will address the basics of cyberbullying. Participants will work collectively to suggest ideas for how cyberbullying should be addressed by law enforcement, school officials, and parents.
Speaker: Laurie Sykes & Dr. Rebecca Robles-Pina
Sam Houston State University
¨ CJ, SS, GA
18. The Impact of Hate Crimes: Diverse Populations
Most hate crime victims do not report their crimes or seek help due to real or perceived fears. Victims can isolate themselves from friends, family, and society and present with numerous symptoms. Presenter will discuss the impact of hate crimes on diverse populations, including race and sexual orientation.
Speaker: Melany Morrison
Montrose Counseling Center – Houston
¨ CJ, SS, GA
19. Project GHB –
Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault–Stepping up the Fight
More than 40 drugs can facilitate rape of men or women, all ages, all backgrounds. What can you do when it happens? Can you trust the bartender? This course covers all aspects of drug rape, including symptoms, testing and the drugging of victims by sexual perpetrators.
Speaker: Trinka Porrata
Project GHB
· CJ, M, SS, GA
20. The Cost of Caring
This workshop explores the impact of working with very different cases on an ongoing basis on police officers, CPS caseworkers, prosecutors, firefighters, and other professionals in the criminal justice field. We will look at several cases and the people involved in handling them from start to finish. Finally we will discuss some practices for reducing the stress associated with such cases.
Speaker: Shane Phelps
Brazos County District Attorney’s Office
¨ CJ, M, SS, GA
21. Helping Juveniles Understand Victimization
Brazos County Juvenile Services offers probationers and their parents programs that assist them in dealing with victimization. This session will take a close up view of current programs that are helping juveniles to make better decisions for a successful future. We will provide a panel discussion of 4 programs that offer these services – Victim Impact Panel, Gang Intervention, Parenting & Mentoring. We will discuss how these programs are used and the challenges for each one.
Speakers: Bette Prenoveau, Jean Cook & Robert Person
Brazos County Juvenile Services Department
¨ CJ, GA
22. The Community’s Response to Crime Victims
Within every community are groups of people that crime victims seek out. These people are often called upon to participate in the criminal justice system. This workshop explores the benefits of cooperation between law enforcement and the community as well as exposing the participants to the unique issues inherent in helping crime victims.
Speakers: Bill Turner & Jarvis Parsons
Brazos County District Attorney’s Office
¨ SS, GA
23. Project GHB –
Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault–Stepping up the Fight
Speaker: Trinka Porrata
Project GHB
24. Crime Victims vs. the Criminal Justice System
Empowerment through Advocacy
This workshop is geared toward the beginning advocate providing an overview of the history of crime victims’ advocacy, social issues of victim blaming, identifying key players and their interaction with victims of crime. We will also discuss advocacy techniques to address criminal justice barriers for victims.
Speakers: Adrian Sloan & Jose Juan Lara Jr.
Texas Advocacy Project
¨ SS, GA
25. Case Study: The Natalie Holloway Search
This workshop will take an in depth view of the search for missing Alabama teenager, Natalie Holloway. Mr. Miller will talk about the struggles of working with multiple police agencies and jurisdictions.
Speaker: Tim Miller
Texas EquuSearch
ü CJ, SS, GA
26. Intoxication Manslaughter from Crash to Courtroom
This session is a prosecutor’s perspective of developing and trying an Intoxication Manslaughter case. Helpful tips and explanations of ethical, legal, procedural, evidentiary, and scientific issues that arise in Intoxication Manslaughter cases will be discussed.
Speaker: Clay Abbott, DWI Resource Prosecutor
Texas District & County Attorneys Association
ü CJ
27. Effective and Professional Courtroom Testimony
This workshop will address the experience of testifying in court before a jury and/or judge. We will discuss suggestions for improving your professional appearance and for avoiding the traps that can be laid by opposing attorneys.
Speaker: Shane Phelps
Brazos County District Attorneys Office
¨ CJ, M, SS, GA
28. Darkness 2 Light – Part 1
Darkness 2 Light is a revolutionary sexual abuse prevention treatment program that educates adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Curriculum workbooks will be furnished to each participant. Class size is limited to 15 people. Sign up at the registration table if you plan to attend this workshop.
Speaker: Linda Patton
Scotty’s House Child Advocacy Center
¨ SS, GA
29. Responding to Mass Violence & School Shootings
The school violence presentation will address a few school shooter cases and the issues surrounding individuals who act out violently at schools. Basically what to look for in potential shooters and how to manage the threat.
Speaker: Dan Bermingham
Federal Bureau of Investigations – Special Agent
ü CJ, M, SS, GA
30. Darkness 2 Light – Part 2
Speaker: Linda Patton
Scotty’s House Child Advocacy Center