2019 UVU Conference on Domestic Violence (Intimate Partner - Dating – Interpersonal)
Tuesday, April 16, 2019 – Sorensen Student Center, Utah Valley University
Opening Keynote – Audrey Prosper (Grande Ballroom – 9am)
In 2009, Audrey Prosper almost lost her life after being sexually assaulted, brutally beaten with a hammer, and ultimately set on fire by her estranged husband.
Since then Audrey made the decision to use her voice for good by speaking out and sharing the invaluable lessons she’s learned about how to thrive after violence and abuse. She also recently founded the women’s empowerment company, Your Thrive Tribe, where she educates women on how to thrive in all categories of their lives.
Morning Concurrent Sessions 1 (10:15am – 11:15am)
Introduction to Dating Violence with Sariah Collard, MSW, CSW and Ashley Larsen (Ragan Theatre)
This presentation will give an overview of dating violence, the warning signs, and resources for help. Sariah and Ashley will provide insight into the difficult and emotionally damaging world of dating violence. They will discuss the often progressive nature of this type of abuse, and how to help those seemingly trapped in this pattern of violent and destructive behavior.
This session is appropriate for all audiences.
The Warning Signs of Domestic Violence with Brian Parnell, MSW, CSW (Centre Stage)
A 2016 study of 10,000 Utah households found that 1 in 5 women in our state reported experiencing domestic abuse or intimate partner dating violence. Most of us though can’t come up with 20% of the people we know who might be in such a dangerous relationship. These numbers suggest there are victims in our midst every day, and we are unaware. Victims of domestic violence are often fearful and ashamed, and may even try to hide the abuse from those around them. Join Brian as he details warning signs of domestic violence. With the rates of family violence rising in our state, it’s important that we all be aware of signs and indications of possible abuse. He will also discuss appropriate actions we can all take to assist victims in reporting and appropriately responding to this violence. This workshop will help participants have a more informed-eye at spotting signs that indicate a person might be in an abusive relationship, and explore safe strategies to offer help.
This session is appropriate for all audiences.
Domestic Torts: Powerful Strategies for Holding Abusers Accountable with Keith Perkins, JD and Brandon Merrill, JD (SC 206 ABC)
Utah has an alarmingly high rate of domestic violence murders. Domestic Torts is a relatively new, but quickly exploding are of the law that provides powerful legal solutions for clients who want to take action after being victims of crimes – particularly within the family. In this presentation, Keith will take the audience through the history of domestic violence in popular culture, state and national laws and the various US court systems. He will provide strategies and guidelines on how to use current laws to hold abusers financially accountable, even when the abuser may have escaped criminal accountability. Brandon will take the audience through the worst of domestic violence torts: domestic violence murder. He will show how an abuser can profit from murder, and how law enforcement, prosecutors, the family of the victim and civil attorneys can work together to prevent and stop the killer from being able to profit from the murder.
This session is appropriate for all audiences.
Domestic Violence and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) with W. Glenn Lanham, MBA and Renee Casati (SC 213 AB)
Domestic Violence dramatically impacts the lives of those experiencing it. When the violence has a lasting physical impact on the survivor – then the impact can be particularly challenging. Join Renee as she shares her deeply personal experience with TBI and the aftermath of domestic violence and associated post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In an interactive dialogue context, she and Glenn will share educational information about traumatic brain injury, strangulation, the impact and consequences of TBI and national findings related to trauma and recovery post-domestic violence – including information on free resources available to uninsured and/or financially challenged Utah residents who are TBI survivors. Glenn and Renee will also be speaking to brain injury basics (diagnosis, resources, and both state and national research findings), coping skills for both TBI survivors and the caretakers around them; and traumatic brain injury within the domestic violence context.
This session is appropriate for all audiences.
Morning Concurrent Sessions 2 (11:30am – 12:30pm)
The Need For, and Purpose of, a Domestic Violence Specialty Court with Rebecca McNairy, BSW (Ragan Theatre)
Join Rebecca as she details her efforts to facilitate the creation of a domestic violence pilot court for Utah County. Find out what a domestic violence court is, about a mentor court she visited in Kansas City, and why it’s more complicated than drug or mental health court. Learn about how misdemeanor intimate partner offenses are handled currently in Utah County, from the site of the crime to sentencing. Participants will see how a domestic violence court can create greater safety and support for survivors and accountability and rehabilitation for offenders. Finally, she will discuss how the high numbers of domestic violence homicides and crimes in Utah are disheartening, and how local officials-sheriffs, advocates, attorneys, mayors and commissioners-are working together to get a domestic violence court established and address this community problem.
This session is appropriate for all audiences.
Humanizing, Supporting and Advocating for Male Survivors with Andi Tremonte (Centre Stage)
When someone has privilege in one identity, they may not be privileged in another. This training will examine the intersection of gender privilege and victimhood/survivorship and what barriers male survivors face when attempting to access services and support. Lastly, attendees will learn gender differences in advocacy, self-disclosure, feelings of safety, emotional expression, male rape myths, how homophobia and transphobia affect male survivors, and how folks define victimization.
This session is appropriate for all audiences.
Elder Abuse – The Unthinkable Does Happen with Elle Martin (SC 213 AB)
Elder abuse is more prevalent and comes in more forms than we realize. It also happens whether the elder person is living a residential care facility or in the hands of a family member. In this session, Elle will discuss two situations that involved family members and the valuable lessons learned.
This session is appropriate for all audiences.
Advocates and Supporters: Powerful Light for Victims to Become Victors with April T. Giauque, MEd (SC 206ABC)
What is the difference between an advocate and a supporter? Why do victims need them? If you are an advocate do you know your impact? If you are a supporter, do you know your value? Both are needed to help a victim get out - and stay out - of abuse! During this informative session, participants will understand the difference between advocates and supporters – and discover the important role that each fills. Discover the impact that advocates have on helping victims become victors, and how supporters can continue to life and raise even in the most difficult situations.
This session is appropriate for all audiences.
12:30pm – 1:30 pm Luncheon, Student Poster Presentations and Exhibitor Fair
Grande Ballroom and Commons Area
Afternoon Plenary Session with Ashley N. Martlage, LMFT, CCTP (Grande Ballroom – 1:30 pm- 2:30 pm)
Ashlee N. Martlage is an advocate, responder, and clinician who specializes in trauma, relationships and resiliency. Ashlee has served as a consultant to national domestic violence organizations, facilitated numerous groups, public speaking events, and women’s retreats for survivors and continues to advocate for changes in public policy. She is currently completing her PhD in Counseling Psychology at the University of Texas at Austin where she studies trauma and resiliency in families of public safety officers. She facilitates trainings for law enforcement agencies in trauma-informed techniques, peer support and cultural competencies. She also promotes improved relationships between marginalized populations and law enforcement through skill building, training, and advocacy. She obtained her master’s degree at Pepperdine University, Graduate School of Education and Psychology in Clinical Psychology. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. She served as a member of the Crisis Intervention Team with the San Diego Police Department and is a member of the Disaster Mental Health Services team with the American Red Cross. She currently serves as a clinician on the Traumatic Incident and Event Response (TIER) Team, National Resiliency Task Force covering Customs and Border Protection agencies.
Afternoon Concurrent Sessions (2:45pm – 3:45pm)
Law Enforcement and Victim Advocates Working Together for Successful Outcomes with Diego Garcia, Dawna Whiting and Cameron Paul (Ragan Theatre)
This presentation will focus on the substantial importance of law enforcement and victim advocates working together, in order to secure more successful outcomes with the investigation and prosecution of domestic violence offenders .The American Fork Police Department, like many other law enforcement agencies, has at times faced challenges with domestic violence victims not wishing to talk to police, recanting on prior information given about an incident, being reluctant to attend important court hearings, and becoming uncooperative with investigators and others trying to assist in the investigation. This presentation will illustrate reasons as to why this occurs (from a victim standpoint), and the role of the victim advocate in helping victims to overcome fears and obstacles. Presenters will also discuss the vital importance of an appropriate and effective working relationship between victim advocates and law enforcement.
This session is appropriate for all audiences.
Promoting Technology Safety for Survivors with Andi Tremonte (Centre Stage)
The internet has made stalking easier than ever. Prior to the shift of living virtually, domestic violence perpetrators had to rely on following their victims around physically; but now, perpetrators can stalk their victims at their house, in school, in a different state or even in a different country. When it comes to cyberstalking, what’s particularly troubling is that because of this online shift, not all of the systems working with survivors have had time to adjust to the specific implications. Just like every other sphere of life, crime too has gone online. After this training, attendees will gain a basic understanding of how abusers use technology to stalk, control, manipulate or coerce survivors; learn various strategies to help survivors protect themselves; and lastly learn about technology resources for survivors.
This session is appropriate for all audiences.
Laws and Policy with Utah Representative Ken Ivory (SC 213 AB)
This session will provide an overview of legislation that Representative Ken Ivory has sponsored benefiting victims of crime. Be one of the first to learn about the changes in government immunity proposed during the 2019 session and how these changes may affect exploitation when there is an imbalance of power. Representative Ivory will address his 2019 legislative session’s bills impacting victims, survivors, and their families via the framework established by his 2018 bi-partisan legislation, HB177-Trauma-Informed Provisions. H.B. 177, designed to improve and standardize trauma-informed practices across government agencies, established a Multi-Disciplinary Trauma-Informed Committee (MDTIC) tasked with creating a trauma-informed justice system. The goal is to put in place trauma-informed practices for all levels of the justice system, including police officers, medical first responders and the courts. Armed with an update on the progress of the MDTIC, including the progress in examining the role of victim advocates and victim services in the criminal and juvenile justice system in order to implement a comprehensive, seamless victim-advocate system; Representative Ivory will conclude by engaging the audience in a question and answer session.
This session is appropriate for all audiences, but may be of special interest to experienced professionals.
The Landscape of Interpersonal Violence in the State of Utah with Erin Jemison, MPA & Tara Ivie, MS, ABD (SC 206 ABC)
Join Erin and Tara as they discuss the connection between educational attainment and exiting a violent relationship. Focusing on prevention and early intervention, research shows that women with bachelor degrees are less likely to stay in a violent relationship. As women’s college completion rates in Utah are significantly lower than national rates, Utah women may have an additional risk of persisting in a violent relationship. Increasing the pipeline of women to and through higher education may have individual and generation impact on their relationships. Presenters will also address the historical, current and future need for policies and legislation related to domestic violence and the protection of survivors in Utah.
This session is appropriate for all audiences.
