About This Training
Children are often innocent bystanders who typically are not given the opportunity for an in-depth interview by investigators during domestic violence (DV) cases. Ellen Pence, the founder of the Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs (DAIP), worked toward the end of her career to engage social services in domestic violence cases.
Children witnessing domestic violence are vulnerable to the same suggestibility present in other child abuse cases and forensic interviews through intentional or unintentional contamination of memories. Additionally, workers may overlook subtle protective factors by the non-offending caregiver. We know most DV cases do not present at a CAC for forensic interviews for a variety of reasons.
This training will look at children’s accounts of their non-offending caregiver’s protective measures and incorporate focus group feedback on the experience of domestic violence survivors with the system. We will review additional sample questions for the forensic interview intended to elicit protective factors of non-offending caregivers and screen for polyvictimization. This training will also examine protocols developed by the Southern St. Louis County MDT for advocacy and forensic interviewers in these cases.
Audience
This training is intended for trained forensic interviewers working on child abuse and maltreatment cases. You will be asked to provide information on your foundational training when registering.
Trainer
Laura Gapske
Program Director, Interviewer, and Trainer
First Witness Child Advocacy Center
In her 15 + years of experience, Laura has dedicated her life professionally and personally to ending the violence against women and children. She serves as the co-chair of the St. Louis County Mortality Review Committee for child protection services. At First Witness Child Advocacy Center, she provides oversight to all programs staff by providing leadership, mentoring, facilitation of innovation, goal attainment, and forensic interviewing skills.