The fourth annual conference on Child Abuse: Education, Prevention and Investigation will be held April 20 and 21 at Missouri Western State University. For a complete schedule and registration information, visit www.missouriwestern.edu/conferences/child-abuse-education-prevention-and-investigation/.
The conference will include one presentation that is free and open to the public at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 20 in the Kemper Recital Hall, Spratt Hall room 101, titled “Moving Forward and the Need for Community Support,” given by Dr. Rebecca Bailey and Cynthia Psaila of the JAYC Foundation. It is a tremendous challenge for survivors (of sexual and other high profile crime) to find sanctuaries in their communities. The therapist’s office is only good for a short time each week. A healthy recovery requires collaboration and communication between all agencies and professionals involved. This presentation will elaborate on and provide guidance about how to provide a protected healing space for survivors. Prior to the public presentation, the JAYC Foundation will conduct a law enforcement officer awareness training at the Kansas City Mounted Patrol for current officers and Missouri Western Law Enforcement Academy cadets.
The JAYC Foundation was founded by Jaycee Dugard, kidnapped at 11 and recovered 18 years later. For more information, visit thejaycfoundation.org/.
The conference will begin at 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, April 20 with a keynote address by Victor Vieth titled “Unto the Third Generation: A Call to End Child Abuse in Three Generations.” Vieth is the founder of Gundersen National Child Protection Training Center and has served as senior director since its inception in 2003. He also teaches, publishes, creates programs and works on public policy issues related to child protection. Vieth is in demand as a nationally recognized expert in the field of interpersonal violence. He has trained thousands of child protection professionals from all 50 states, two U.S. Territories and 17 countries on numerous topics pertaining to child abuse investigation, prosecution and prevention. He has been instrumental in implementing 22 state and international forensic interview training programs and dozens of undergraduate and graduate programs on child maltreatment.
The conference will be of special interest for law enforcement officers and administrators, social workers, attorneys, educators, juvenile officers and those employed in healthcare, especially nurses. Registration fees include lunch. Registration is $90 for two days, and $50 if only attending one day. Missouri Western students may attend for free, with optional lunch for $10 per day. CEUs, CLEs and POST credit will be available.
The conference is sponsored by the Regional Law Enforcement Academy; the Western Institute; the Department of Criminal Justice, Legal Studies, and Social Work; the Department of Nursing and Allied Health; the Department of Education; and the Northwest Missouri Children’s Advocacy Center.
Missouri Western State University is a comprehensive regional university providing a blend of traditional liberal arts and professional degree programs. The university offers student-centered, high quality instruction that focuses on experience-based learning, community service, and state-of-the-art technology. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit www.missouriwestern.edu.