Curriculum Overview

SUNDAY

Introduction to the Academy 3:00-4:00pm

[Presenter: Nancy Murphy]

Objectives:

Participants will:

  • Participate in a team building activity

History of the Crime Victims’ Rights Movement 5:00-6:30pm

[Presenter: Bonnie Palecek]

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify the major social/political movements that contributed to the rise of the victims’ rights movement.
  • Recognize the evolution of North Dakota laws as they relate to victims of crime.

“In Her Shoes” Exercise6:30-8:00pm

[Facilitator: Linda Isakson]

Goals of the exercise:

  • To increase awareness of the struggles that women with abusive partners face.
  • To illustrate that domestic violence is a community tragedy, not a private problem.
  • To show that society has a roles in the movement to end domestic violence.
  • To encourage everyone to think creatively about the ways we can work to end domestic violence.

MONDAY

System Overview 8:30am-12:00pm

[Presenters: Kelly Dillon and Lonnie Olson]

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify jurisdictional issues between state, federal, tribal and military systems
  • Distinguish between the criminal vs. civil process in each system
  • Recognize the various stages of the systems

Topics to be included:

  • Criminal vs. civil systems
  • Stages of the system
  • Roles of advocates and coordinators
  • Juvenile system
  • Stages of the system
  • Roles of advocates and coordinators
  • Federal vs. State vs. City (Brief Overview)
  • Stages of Federal system
  • Roles of advocates and coordinators
  • Military (Brief Overview)
  • Stages of the system
  • Roles of advocates and coordinators
  • Tribal court
  • Stages of the system
  • Roles of the advocates and coordinators

Working with the Native American Population in North Dakota 1:00-2:45pm

[Presenter: Linda Thompson]

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  • Define North Dakota tribes
  • Identify cultural differences between North Dakota tribes
  • Describe the importance of cultural competence to victim services

Topics to be included:

  • Recognizing personal bias

Collaboration 3:00-5:00pm

[Presenters: Kari Kerr and Chris Smith]

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  • Discuss how to make an effective referral network
  • Describe ways to establish and maintain relationships with referral agencies
  • Develop a list of referral services

Topics to be included:

  • When and where to make referrals
  • Identify potential partners in the community and professional networks
  • Cooperation with other agencies and limitations
  • Negotiation and collaboration case examples

Victim Panel 7:00-8:30pm

[Facilitator: Linda Isakson]

Topics to be included:

  • Personal experiences of each crime victim
  • Helpful responses from the system

TUESDAY

Basic Advocacy Skills8:15-9:45am

[Presenters: Glen Hase and Shelly Carlson]

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify basic principles of effective communication
  • Develop strategies to enhance both verbal and non-verbal communication
  • Identify characteristic responses to a crisis
  • Explain the steps to helping someone in crisis

Topics to be included:

  • Listening and oral communication
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Assessment
  • Stages of crisis
  • Safety for staff and victims
  • Case management
  • Documentation
  • Follow up

Domestic Violence/Stalking/Strangulation 10:00am-2:45pm

[Presenters: Kari Kerr and Kelly McLean]

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  • Describe the legal definition of domestic violence, stalking and strangulation
  • List and discuss the differences that distinguish domestic violence and stalking from other crimes
  • Identify and practice approaches for working with victims of domestic violenceand stalking
  • Identify signs and symptoms of strangulation

Topics to be included:

  • Dynamics
  • Lethality
  • Protection Order vs. Disorderly Conduct Restraining Order vs. No Contact Orders
  • Key components of a safety plan
  • Self defense and predominant aggressor
  • Offender treatment
  • Questions to ask strangulation victims

Sexual Assault 3:00-5:00pm

[Presenters: Shelly Carlson, Donavon Rasmuson, and Jane Ell]

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  • Describe the legal definition of sexual assault
  • Identify and practice approaches for working with victims of sexual assault

Topics to be included:

  • Issues of consent
  • Dynamics
  • Evidence collection (including the rape kit)
  • Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)– brief overview
  • Drug facilitated assaults

Media Panel 7:00-8:00pm

[Facilitator: Mark Lyman]

Topics to be included:

  • Developing relationships with media outlets
  • Positive news coverage
  • Sensitivity issues when covering victim stories

WEDNESDAY

Child Victimization 8:15am-12:00pm

[Presenter: Tara Muhlhauser]

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  • Describe the legal definition of child abuse
  • Identify and practice approaches for working with victims of child abuse
  • Identify how child victims react to trauma at different developmental levels

Topics to be included:

  • Communicating with children
  • 960 child abuse reporting
  • Developmental levels

Ethical Considerations 1:00-2:30pm

[Presenter: Tara Muhlhauser]

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify which confidential client information can be shared with others
  • Explain the relevance of ethics in the victims’ services field
  • Define personal and professional values and discuss the impact of both on ethical practices

Topics to be included:

  • Confidentiality vs. privileged information
  • Privacy laws regarding identifying information (i.e., names, addresses, etc)
  • Open records issues
  • Personal vs. Professional Boundary Issues (i.e., personal disclosure of victimization, dual relationships, etc)
  • Differences of victimization (secondary victim, witness, DV, SA, etc.)

Financial Assistance for Crime Victims 2:45-3:45pm

[Presenter: Joan Halvorson]

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify financial resources for crime victims

Topics to be included:

  • Crime Victims Compensation
  • Restitution
  • Cleaning of Crime Scenes

Working With People With Disabilities3:45-5:00pm

[Presenter: Martha Tollefson]

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  • Describe the needs of individuals with disabilities
  • Identify resources for victims with disabilities

Topics to be included:

  • Referral agencies

Self Care for Professionals 7:00-8:00pm

[Presenter: Debra DeWitz]

Activity: “I Don’t Fold Underwear Anymore!”

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify symptoms that indicate our lives may be out of balance
  • Describe why it is difficult for some professionals to maintain a healthy balance
  • Describe the importance of making changes to balance work and family

THURSDAY

Property and Financial Crime [Presenter: Paula Bosh]8:15-10:00am

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  • Define the difference between property and financial crime
  • Identify the emotional needs of victims of property and financial crimes
  • Identify resources for assisting victims of property and financial crimes

Topics to be included:

  • Credit reports (importance of checking your credit report)
  • Types of property and financial crimes
  • Identity theft

Cultural Diversity and Immigration 10:15-12:00pm

[Presenter: Arabella Demeterio]

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify the unique needs of immigrant victims
  • Identify resources for dealing with cultural issues

Topics to be included:

  • Identify different ethnic groups within the community
  • Identify the importance of customs and beliefs
  • Immigration law as it relates to victims of crime (brief overview)

Victimization in the Aging Population 1:00-1:45pm

[Presenter: MariDon Sorum]

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  • Describe the importance of addressing issues specific to crimes involving elderly victims
  • Identify specific resources for assisting victims

Topics to be included:

  • Elderly
  • Referrals

Bias Crimes Against Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (GLBTQ) Persons [Presenter: Bruce Reeves] 1:45-2:30pm

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  • Describe the importance of addressing issues specific to bias crimes
  • Identify specific resources available for assisting victims

Topics to be included:

  • Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (GLBTQ)
  • Referrals

Mental Health Needs of Victims and Helping Professionals 2:45-5:00pm

[Presenters: Earl Beal and Joan Halvorson]

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify the short and long term mental health needs
  • Identify the elements of direct and vicarious trauma
  • Identify signs of compassion fatigue (burn out)

Topics to be included:

  • Post traumatic stress continuum
  • Self care
  • Trauma grief reaction
  • Suicide intervention
  • Death notification

FRIDAY

Program Funding8:15-9:00am

[Presenter: Janelle Moos]

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  • Identify the different type of funding sources in ND that support victim services
  • Describe the importance of collecting statistics and outcome measurements

Topics to be included:

  • Funding sources in ND
  • Data collection

2009 VAAND Curriculum Outline1