Conference Workshops

31st Annual Statewide Family Violence Conference
Navigating the New Not Normal
August 27-27, 2025
Jekyll Island Convention Center
WORKSHOPS
(listed alphabetically by title)

A Unified Response: Integrating Victim Advocacy into Law Enforcement by Emily Hall and Detective Evan Wallace

Family violence and sexual violence are a prevailing problem in our world. Victims are faced with an uphill battle when leaving abusive relationships, and the criminal justice system can be an intimidating process. In 2023, the Acworth Police Department created a new role: a dedicated Crime Victim Advocate to work hand in hand with officers. Through this innovative role, victims are connected with an advocate immediately to provide support in navigating a criminal investigation. In this workshop, we will first analyze the issue of family violence and sexual violence in our society. An overview of the dynamics in gender-based crime and the importance of a trauma-informed response will be explained in detail. We will then discuss the benefits of law enforcement agencies employing a dedicated full-time victim advocate. Through an explanation of the role, case studies, and police officer accounts, we will see firsthand how a victim advocate can support victims and law enforcement through the criminal justice process.
All Means All: Combatting Myths About Violence Against Sexually Exploited Individuals by Patti Powers and Jane Anderson
Justice can be elusive for those who have been abused and exploited within the commercial sex industry. Offenders often identify sexually exploited individuals as easy prey for violence, assault, and further exploitation. An effective response to sexual violence requires a depth of understanding of the crime(s), the tactics used, and recognition of the impact of such on victims who may be coerced into non-disclosure, threatened, or who fear they will not be believed. Chief among these tactics is making use of existing misconceptions and myths that juries and judges may carry about sexual violence generally, and sex work in particular. To effectively seek justice for victims, prosecutors must understand and challenge these misconceptions. This includes understanding that sex offenders may target both known and unknown victims as well as a combination thereof. Offender tactics may vary significantly from victim to victim even from the same offender, but can include stalking, image exploitation, doxing, sextortion, and sex trafficking. This presentation will provide strategies to combat common myths surrounding what sexual offenses against commercially sexually exploited victims look like, and ways to combat those misconceptions at trial to maintain focus on the actions of the offender to avoid having those misconceptions shape an improper assessment of the victim at trial.

Assisting Survivors Facing Criminal Charges with Obtaining Civil Protective Orders by Christine Scartz
Despite increased awareness of the complexities of domestic violence and improved law enforcement training on identifying the victim and perpetrator, survivors can be criminalized and
prosecuted when they are actually in need of protection. Many criminalized survivors unwittingly trigger complex issues by petitioning for a civil protective order while facing charges. Survivors, who are often unrepresented at the early stages of the criminal process and filing for a protective order pro se, face the challenge of balancing their need to preserve a defense with their need for safety and security. Assisting survivors navigating two separate justice systems requires specific knowledge to help them maintain their rights while accessing the protections the law designed for them. This workshop will give lawyers, advocates, and agency personnel strategies to support survivors effectively and provide holistic, empathetic support to ensure their safety and legal protection. The workshop will highlight ethical considerations, informed consent, and trauma-informed advocacy. The workshop presumes that participants have a basic understanding of protective orders and criminal procedure.

Beyond the Basics: Advanced Issues in Temporary Protective Order Cases by Jennifer Lyon, Anne Marie Lugo, Rachel Lazarus, Kim Waldon
The TPO case does not always end when the TPO is issued. After a TPO is issued, post-judgment motions such as contempt, modification, or motions for a permanent restraining order may be filed. An appeal may be filed. Or the solution may be to not file a TPO, but instead a creative, out-of-the-box solution may be best. We will discuss these areas: Considerations Before a TPO: Creative solutions such as criminal trespass warnings, small claims court options, when the domestic violence survivor is the one who was arrested, and how to not make your client homeless by filing a TPO. Between the Ex Parte Order and 12-Month Hearing: Answers and counterclaims, TPOs filed by the abuser. After a 12-Month Order is Granted: Post TPO motions (contempt, modification, permanent protective order) and motions to dismiss the TPO When survivors get an adverse outcome in a TPO: Reconsideration and Appeals.

Breaking the Cycle: How Adverse Childhood Experiences Shape Victimization, Perpetration, and the Normalization of Family Violence by Gerry White
This interactive workshop will examine the profound impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), on pathways to both victimization and perpetration in family violence. The discussion will focus on how early childhood trauma influences long-term behavioral and relational patterns, increasing the risk of experiencing or perpetuating family violence in adulthood. A key theme of this session is understanding how chronic exposure to adversity conditions individuals to accept unhealthy relationships and family violence as normal, and how the proliferation of power and control within intimate relationships now parallel the emergence of these behaviors within broader social and institutional structures, reinforcing patterns of dominance, submission, and abuse—aligning with this year’s conference theme, Navigating the New Not Normal. We will also explore how victimization patterns differ based on gender, with some individuals experiencing a continuous cycle of victimization, while others may shift between victim and perpetrator roles over time. Participants will gain insight into how childhood trauma affects adult functioning, relationships, and emotional regulation. The session will provide practical, trauma-informed strategies to
disrupt these cycles and promote healing, with a focus on effective intervention and prevention approaches.
 

Burnout Be Gone: Aligning Values to Sustain Your Advocacy Work by Jenny Aszman and Jennifer Thomas
The domestic violence field demands resilience, empathy, and relentless commitment. In "The New Not Normal," with its shifting challenges and heightened pressures, advocates may find themselves out of alignment with the values that first inspired their work. This interactive session explores how reconnecting with personal and professional values can prevent burnout, foster resilience, and elevate role satisfaction. Through engaging activities, reflection exercises, and group collaboration, participants will identify their core values, evaluate where misalignment may be occurring, and develop actionable strategies to realign their work with their principles. Addressing value alignment not only enhances individual wellness but also strengthens our collective ability to navigate advocacy’s evolving landscape.
 

Creating Safe(r) Spaces: Best Practices for Supporting LGBTQ+ Survivors by Jennie Pless, Elyssa Schroeder
This workshop will describe best practices for serving LGBTQ+ survivors of intimate partner violence and human trafficking. We will discuss: (1) An overview of basic LGBTQ+ terminology, (2) Common barriers LGBTQ+ survivors face to seeking and receiving equitable help from service providers, (3) Best practices and practical suggestions for better serving LGBTQ+ survivors and minimizing barriers to help-seeking for those who have not yet sought help. Discussions will include guidance for navigating the current rapidly changing sociopolitical landscape, especially the impacts on the health and safety of LGBTQ+ survivors.
 

Empathetic Leadership: Building A Culture of Trust by Lori Massengale, Shanta Porter
This presentation explores how empathetic leadership can cultivate a culture of trust within organizations. Participants will learn to apply empathy in their leadership style to build stronger relationships, enhance communication, and foster an inclusive environment. The course covers techniques for active listening, understanding team dynamics, and addressing the emotional needs of team members. By developing these skills, leaders will be better equipped to create a supportive workplace that promotes collaboration, engagement, and high performance.
 

Empowered Recovery - An Introduction to the Integrative Healing Model for Intimate Partner Violence (IHM-IPV) by Jessica Cary
In this engaging and thought-provoking presentation, Jessica Cary, LMHC, a survivor and mental health professional, introduces a groundbreaking approach to understanding intimate partner violence (IPV) through the Integrative Healing Model for IPV (IHM-IPV). Attendees will explore how family violence survivors are often caught in a deeply ingrained societal setup that fosters victim-blaming and obscures true choice. The session begins with an interactive reflection exercise, prompting participants to examine their own responses to the systemic entrapment of survivors. Jessica will then introduce the "Stairway of Abuse", a framework designed to dissolve shame, provide psychoeducation, and help survivors reclaim agency. This discussion will be tied to intergenerational trauma and its role in perpetuating cycles of abuse. Attendees will gain practical insights into IHM-IPV, a holistic model addressing social determinants of health, therapeutic presence, and the interplay between education and experience. Through real-life examples, interactive worksheets, and experiential exercises, participants will learn how to integrate this model into their organizations and communities. This workshop provides actionable strategies for clinicians, advocates, and professionals working with survivors, empowering them to foster healing and systemic change in the field of family violence prevention.
 

Enhancing Forensic Efficacy and Compassion: Exploring DNA Collection Techniques, Informed Consent, and Trauma-Informed Approaches to Support Sexual Assault Investigations and Prosecutions by Jamie Saye, Kathy Barnett
This workshop presents the findings of a pilot study that investigated two vaginal/cervical biologic specimen swab collection techniques used by Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) during a forensic medical exam (FME) and compared Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) eligible specimen collection rates among them. This session will discuss the implications of the study’s findings for forensic nursing practices and the potential to better support criminal investigations.

Georgia Domestic Violence Benchbook--Not Just for Judges by Joan Prittie
The Georgia Domestic Violence Benchbook provides a wealth of information on state and federal law and law-related topics that is helpful to anyone engaged in micro or macro level work to end domestic violence. This workshop will touch on a variety of issues including civil TPOs, lethality factor analysis, and more.

Guiding the Sheep to Safety by Theresa Flores
How does it feel to be vulnerable? Explore how it feels and what we can do to prevent youth from being victimized. We will discuss best practices on working with victims and survivors of trafficking and the importance of being trauma-informed. Personal survivor stories will be broken down to look at what could have been done differently. The presentation is a mix of audience participation, lecture and hands on activity to learn what we can do to protectand guide youth to safety.

High-Risk Teams in Action: How Athens-Clarke County is Building a Collaborative Response to Protect Survivors and Prevent Lethal Violence byDonna Bracewell, Shannon Parker, Amelia Rushton, Joshua Ramey
As domestic violence cases grow more complex due to factors like technological abuse, coercive control, and increased lethality risks, effective intervention requires innovative collaboration. Athens-Clarke County’s newly established High-Risk Team (HRT) brings together law enforcement, prosecutors, and advocates to address high-lethality domestic violence cases with a survivor-focused and data-informed approach. Although we are a new team, our coordinated efforts have already yielded important lessons, early successes, and practical strategies. In this workshop, HRT Coordinator Donna Bracewell will share key insights into how the team was developed, structured, and launched. Participants will hear directly from law enforcement, prosecution, and victim advocates as they discuss real-life examples of early victories, challenges, and how they continue to refine their model.
Attendees will walk away with practical guidance on starting or improving a High-Risk Team in their own jurisdictions, including tips on stakeholder engagement, on-scene coordination, and case follow-up. This session is designed to provide realistic, actionable steps and honest discussions about what works, what doesn’t, and how to foster effective collaboration to prevent lethal violence.

Immigrant Realities: A Guide to working with victims of crime in Immigrant Communities by Leo Martinez
In this workshop, participants will discuss interactions with "different" communities in early childhood as well as the intricacies of the immigrant experience. They will identify barriers for immigrant victims/survivors of gender-based violence and other crimes; they will receive information regarding the potential legal remedies and the everchanging landscape of immigrant policies and how they affect survivors; they will understand the how trauma-informed and community centered approaches benefit immigrant survivors and practical ways in which we can facilitate access to safety, justice and healing for ALL survivors of crime.

In Their Shoes: A New Immersive Experience for 2025 by Kylee Elliott
What if you had to choose between your safety and your child’s stability? Between escaping violence and risking homelessness? In Their Shoes is not a typical training—it’s a transformative, immersive experience that places you in the life of someone experiencing domestic violence. Updated for 2025, this new version deepens the emotional and strategic impact of the original exercise.

Inside Deepfakes: Understanding the Global A.I. Nightmare Creating the Next Wave of Sexual Violence by Jill Ostrove
Deepfakes are one of the new, tragic side effects of an A.I. explosion we can’t keep up with. In this session, we’ll start by discussing: 1. What deepfakes are and how they came to be; 2. Their direct relationship with sextortion and sexual violence; and 3. Real-world cases. Attendees will then witness how quick and effortless it is to build deepfake pictures and videos. To truly understand the effect they can have, it is critical to understand how they’re created. We’ll be going inside the most popular deepfake generators and creating one in real time. We’ll end the session with an open discussion of prevention methods as well as new laws and pending legislation that are urgently trying to slow deepfake growth.

Murder Suicide: Hidden Wounds by Danielle Edwards and Rachel Rothman Bell
Murder-suicide leaves a profound and complex impact on survivors, families, and communities. This workshop draws from the findings of the report Addressing the Aftermath: An Examination of Specialized Support for Murder-Suicide Loss (2017-2023) to explore both the statistics and the human stories behind murder-suicide.

Navigating Abuser and Victim Behavior Through the Court Process by Rachel Ashe and Tommie DeGonzague
This workshop will utilize a case study to explore the dynamics of reconciliation and recantation in relationships where coercive control and intimate partner violence are present. Attendees will explore ways to respond to this behavior throughout the pendency of a case and will discuss best practices in holding abusers accountable in their jurisdictions. Attendees will also explore the importance of addressing implicit gender bias, building an evidence-based case, and participating in a multi-disciplinary approach when responding to common abuser and victim behaviors. Finally, over the course of the workshop, attendees will examine areas for improvement.

Prose as a Pathway: Writing Toward Recovery and Resilience by Beverly Floyd, Dr. Towanda Jackson
This workshop explores the integration of creative writing into therapeutic practices to enhance the healing process for all abuse survivors, including those actively enduring abuse. The movement to end domestic violence and sexual assault gains strength through the voices of survivors. Storytelling through prose—such as narratives, poems, and real-to-life fictional accounts—serves as a dynamic method for expression and healing. It not only enables survivors to process and articulate their experiences in ways that foster control, self-empathy, empowerment, and catharsis but also helps them envision their ideal future, providing a pathway to move forward. Participants in this workshop will learn how to safely and effectively guide survivors in using the transformative power of prose to reclaim their narratives and envision a future beyond their current circumstances. The session is designed to support healing and empowerment, offering an ethically sound framework that emphasizes recovery and resilience.
 

Strangulation: The Forgotten Injury by Alicia Chandler, Kristilee Cavoretto
This essential training program is specifically designed to enhance participants' understanding of the critical role that strangulation plays in the broader context of domestic violence cases. The course aims to leverage the collective expertise of law enforcement, advocates, and prosecutors to create an environment that emphasizes the importance of comprehensive and nuanced victim interviews. By drawing on our collective experience and insights into the dynamics of abuse, we move beyond reliance on victim self-reporting. Through the examination of case studies and engaging in interactive discussions, attendees will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to improve their response to domestic violence incidents, thereby enhancing victim safety and reinforcing prosecution efforts.
 

Supporting the Housing Needs of Transgender Survivors in Shelter and Beyond by Leo Williams (non-binary), Beautifull Devynne, Katie Tucker
Transgender survivors of intimate partner violence face unique barriers to accessing critical safety resources like emergency shelter and affordable housing. Domestic Violence programs that desire to provide equitable and accessible services to all survivors may struggle with the practical implications of sheltering transgender survivors. This workshop seeks to provide practical ways to reduce the barriers to accessing housing services, including emergency shelter, for transgender survivors by hearing from two professionals in the field seeking to do just that. Learn from their challenges, be inspired by their successes, and leave with best practices to ensure all survivors can access the housing support they need to live free from violence.
 

The Intersection of IPV and SA: A SART Case Analysis by Shelli Larkin, Phyllis O'Neill, Aubrie Bowyer
This workshop aims to discuss the vital impact a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) can have on both survivors’ engagement with the core agencies and long-term health outcomes. By utilizing a standardized case review template, a case analysis of interpersonal violence (IPV) and sexual assault (SA) will be traversed, from acute victim presentation to continued long-term engagement through trauma-focused counseling and case prosecution. By providing the intersection of the SART’s core agencies' roles, the case will be detailed through advocacy and medical response and services, and continued with movement through law enforcement investigation and prosecution. In closing with the survivor’s feedback, this comprehensive SART approach can provide a path to enhancing community's response to the challenges and complexities faced when IPV intersects with SA.

The Jury Whisperer: Expert Testimony From the Field to the Stand by Alicia Chandler, Kristilee Cavoretto
This class teaches how to educate the jury from the time a report is received through closing arguments. A victim interview is a talk with the jury; a suspect interview is a defense attorney's nightmare. Cross examination tactics, tips for testifying, and recovering from mistakes on the stand are also covered. Attorneys will add experts to cases & refine the ones they already have access to; "witnesses" leave equipped to qualify as an expert and, more importantly, with the confidence to be one.
 

The Link Between Animal Abuse and Interpersonal Violence & Building Sustainable Services for Pet-Owning Survivors in Georgia through Collaboration by Shannon Oxford, Myra Rasnick, Samantha Altfest
This workshop will shed light on issues at the intersection of animal abuse and interpersonal violence, such as the ways in which domestic violence impacts the entire family unit, including companion animals. Participants will be presented with evidence of the link between violence toward humans and animals, with the hope of facilitating earlier interventions to address such co-occurring violence. Awareness of the need to consider non-human family members in serving victims of family violence has grown exponentially in recent years. The demand for pet-friendly crisis intervention continues to rise and has outsized the collective resources available in Georgia. Drawing on 21 years of experience serving pet-owning survivors in Georgia, Ahimsa House will offer best practices for considering pets throughout every systematic touchpoint during a survivor’s experience seeking safety, including possibilities for interagency collaboration. Representatives from Ahimsa House will also discuss the programs their organization offers, explain the referral process, initiate a conversation, and share tools with other service providers looking to expand their support for survivors with pets. Guided by a recent survey of domestic violence shelters’ desires to accommodate pets onsite, the workshop will specifically touch on some of the barriers mentioned and possible solutions or alternatives.

The Power of Partnership: Building Relationships That Transform Family Violence Response by Elise Colquitt, Dara Shapland
In this dynamic session, a Children's Advocacy Center Advocate and SVU Detective demonstrate how authentic partnerships between CACs and law enforcement can transform family violence response. Moving beyond basic collaboration, this workshop reveals how genuine relationships, mutual respect, and shared trauma-informed approaches create more effective teams. Through real-world examples, interactive discussions, and practical strategies, participants will learn how to build and maintain partnerships that better serve children and families impacted by family violence and sexual violence while supporting team members. The presenters will share their journey of creating a strong CAC-law enforcement partnership, including specific examples of how their relationship has enhanced investigations, reduced trauma for families, and created a resilient team culture. Participants will engage in focused breakout sessions to develop concrete strategies for building similar partnerships in their communities.

Understanding and Addressing Trauma Responses in Victims of Violence by Maia Holtzhower, Jamie Saye
This workshop explores the intricate trauma responses seen in victims of violence, covering sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and non-fatal strangulation. Attendees will deepen their understanding of both psychological and physiological reactions to trauma, focusing on neurobiological alterations, effects on emotional regulation, and cognitive functions. The session will also address effective intervention strategies to support victims and minimize the risk of secondary trauma.
 

Unseen Chains: Strengthening Our Response to Coercive Control Across Diverse Communities by Jennifer Lyon
Many systems in place to address Intimate partner violence rely on an incident-based model which stands in stark contrast to our understanding of the complex dynamics inherent within relationships where a pattern of coercive control is present. This workshop is designed to empower practitioners from all sectors to move beyond the incident-based model to a pattern-based model by unpacking the complexity of what has been called “the torment between the reportable DV incidents", coercive control. Based on the latest research and case examples from two decades of working directly with those impacted by coercive controlling violence, this workshop will help participants better understand and identify tactics used in coercive controlling relationships, the effects on adult and child targets, and practical ways helping professions can respond.
 

Virtual Dating: Sexual Violence and Real-Life Harm by Patti Powers, Jane Anderson
Modern love stories often begin online through any number of “dating apps”. However, not every
online connection has a happy ending. Offenders are increasingly misusing dating apps to identify victims and then stalk, abuse, or exploit them online and in the real world. Tech-savvy offenders often hide behind technology to avoid detection and escape accountability. Archaic, but still common victim-blaming attitudes, such as “assuming risk” can impede investigations and prosecutions of crimes where the victim and offender met online. These attitudes may also impact victims, causing them to fear disbelief if they report these crimes. The presenters will use case examples to describe how dating apps can be misused to identify, recruit, abuse, exploit, and stalk victims. The presentation will provide insight into the dimensions of violence as well as practical strategies to investigate and prosecute crimes of dating violence, sexual assault, non-consensual distribution of intimate images, stalking, and other crimes that are tied to the use of dating apps. Discussions will focus on preserving and introducing digital evidence, ethically safeguarding victim safety and privacy, and combating common defenses at trial.
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