Registration: Please locate the registration table upon entry to check-in for the day.

Introductory Remarks: Alexis Mack, CCAC Therapist and Brooke Bunting, MSW Intern

Keynote Speaker: Cory Jewell Jensen

‘Sex Offenders: What Child and Sexual Assault Professionals Should Know’

Sex crime/child abuse investigators, prosecutors, judges, forensic interviewers, probation/parole officers, medical staff, child welfare workers, child/victim advocates and prevention workers should be familiar the various theories about the etiology of pedophilia and development of pro-offending attitudes, plus the more typical patterns of sexual offending (child sexual abuse, rape, sexual assault, commerical sexual exploitation and internet crimes against children) committed by both juvenile and adult sex offenders. This presentation will highlight (via video taped interviews with various sex offenders) some of the more common pathways to developing deviant sexual interests and criminal sexual behavior. In addition, the presenter will review various studies that examine the number of detected vs. undetected offenders and sexual crimes occurring in our communities, the average degree of “cross-over” or “crime switching” behavior sex offenders engage in and a number of other related topics. Misconceptions about “re-offense” and “recidivism” rates and the expected outcomes for sex offender treatment will also be addressed.

Break: Enjoy a well deserved break or stop by the many essential community vendor tables!

Keynote Speaker: Adam Dodge

‘When Trauma Goes Digital: Supporting Victim’s in the Digital Age’

Technology-facilitated abuse is insidious, pervasive and nuanced - and so is the resulting trauma experienced by survivors. Our devices, accounts and apps are with us at all times - and if victims aren’t digitally safe, they aren’t safe anywhere. Healing from tech-facilitated abuse is further complicated by a thriving culture of online victim blaming, which can isolate and re-traumatize victims. Fortunately, by understanding the differences between online and offline trauma, we can better meet modern victims where they are, mitigate re-traumatization and inform our existing trauma-informed approaches to be more effective in online spaces. To do this, we will demystify unique forms of tech-enabled trauma, explore how to disrupt victim-blaming behaviors in online spaces, and identify steps anyone can take to help victims heal in the digital age.

Lunch: Enjoy a free catered lunch from Blue Tie Catering Company.

Menu: House Salad, Fried Chicken, Roast Beef with Red Wine Pan Sauce, Macaroni and Cheese, Vegetable Medley, Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Key Lime Pie.

Breakout Sessions:

Armstrong Ballroom: ‘When Home is Where the Hurt Is: An Exploration of Familial Trafficking’ presented by Naeshia McDowell.

Session description coming soon.

Auditorium 151: ‘Emerging Issues in Tech-Facilitated Abuse’ presented by Adam Dodge.

The online spaces, apps and devices relied upon by victims also consistently manifest emerging threats to their digital safety and well-being - including fake nude images, AI-powered catfishing, stalkerware, nonconsensual tracking, image-based stalking/doxing and more. To keep victims safe today, we must be familiar with how to prevent and address these modern threats. The good news is that we needn't be tech experts to act when this happens. This session offers a comprehensive exploration of these digital challenges, including practical strategies to confidently discuss and strengthen the emotional, physical, and digital safety of modern victims. Attendees will walk away with actionable steps and tools to effectively counter and prevent these emerging threats and foster confidence in victims and survivors when interacting with the technology they need to survive and thrive.

Break: Enjoy a well deserved break or visit our essential community vendor tables.

Breakout Session: Cory Jewell Jensen

‘Creepy but Crucial Information: Advanced Grooming as Described by Sex Offenders’

Participants will examine (via film clips of interviews with various types of sex offenders) some of the specific strategies offenders describe using to target, seduce and exploit children and adults. Information was collected from several thousand adult sex offenders who were involved in long-term, court mandated sex offender treatment. In addition, a variety of similarly focused research studies will be reviewed. The areas of focus include: offender descriptions of “grooming” tactics (how and why they: targeted certain children, adults, families and youth serving agencies, seduced and manipulated each of these individuals/agencies, inhibited disclosure, detection and reporting. Although this presentation is not for the “faint of heart,” it provides crucial information related to trauma and the need to improve training and skill in forensic interviewing, investigation and prosecution.

Closing Remarks: Rose Grant-Wiseman, Executive Director of Coastal Children’s Advocacy Center