2024 Keynote Speaker: Germayne Tizzano

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Keeping Pace with the Ever-Changing Knowledge Base in Sexual Violence Prevention: Assessment, Treatment, & Risk Management (NBCC Approved Session)

Course Description:

The impact of sexual violence on contemporary society continues to hold the attention of citizens and

lawmakers alike. Many legislative approaches have been implemented with an aim to increase public

safety; however, scientific inquiry has suggested that other initiatives may be more effective and cost-

effective – including use of actuarial risk assessment instruments, holistic models of treatment, and

approaches intended to ensure community safety while providing reintegration options for those who

have committed offenses. In this interactive workshop, participants will have an opportunity to consider

and discuss best practices and ongoing controversies in sexual violence prevention.

Objectives:

1. Participants will review the current state of the literature regarding assessment, treatment, and risk

management of persons who have sexually offended.

2. Participants will debate controversial topics in sexual violence prevention, including diagnosis of

paraphilias and understanding sexual deviance, the effectiveness (or lack thereof) of treatment

interventions, and the potential for desistance.

3. Participants will learn what science has told us about best practices and commonly held

misperceptions about sexual violence risk and recovery.

Schema Therapy for Forensic Patients with Personality Disorders: A Prospective Treatment Approach to Sexual Offenders and Unhealthy Sexual Behaviors (NBCC Approved Session)

Course Description:

This workshop explores the clinical model of Schema Therapy in the treatment of sexual offenders and

unhealthy sexual behaviors in patients with personality disorders. While Schema Therapy is gaining

momentum in the U.S it is unrecognized in the treatment of forensic populations compared to its

adapted approach in Europe. Schema Therapy is designed to treat patients with personality disorders

such as Antisocial, Narcissistic, Borderline, and Paranoid Personality.

Objectives:

1. Participants will have been given an introduction to Schema Therapy and the supported

research.

2. Participants will understand early maladaptive schemas and dysfunctional modes.

3. Participants will have an understanding of the origins of schemas and modes.

4. Participants will engage in discussion in hot to apply Schema Therapy through case examples:

Polygraph:  Friend or Foe in Sex Offender Management

Course Description:

Polygraphs have been widely used in the treatment and supervision of sex offenders since the 1980’s.

Over the last five years, the polygraph has been met with criticism and several programs are questioning

its utility in sex offender management. The training will explore the arguments against the use of the

polygraph and offer a model on how the polygraph can be utilized that will minimize the potential

negative impact while improving treatment & supervision outcomes. This will include how the

polygraph should be utilized within the framework of the fundamental principles and key components of

the Comprehensive Approach to Sex Offender Management. In addition, participants will gain insight on

how to develop appropriate targets/questions; how to properly prepare offenders; and how to assist

the offender in processing the results of the polygraph.

Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to list the primary arguments against the use of the polygraph and

identify strategies to minimize or eliminate the negative impact.

2. Participants will understand how the polygraph can be incorporated into and enhance the

Comprehensive Approach to Sex Offender Management Model.

3. Participants will be able to identify ways to improve polygraph outcomes while providing a

positive and therapeutic milieu

Challenges in Sex Offender Risk Assessment (NBCC Approved Session)

Course Description:

This presentation will examine and discuss both juvenile and adult risk assessment instruments used in

sex offense cases, at times citing challenging situations and questions. Static (historical) as well as

dynamic risk assessment factors, and protective factors, will be discussed. The presentation will begin

with an historic view related to risk, followed by more specific and recent developments that have

advanced the field of risk assessment and of risk prediction. The use of risk assessment and special topic

areas (e.g., cultural components, intellectual factors) which aid in decision-making for juvenile, adult,

and Family Court matters will be reviewed as well. Hypothetical case examples will by described to

foster discussion and highlight presentation points.

Objectives:

1. Describe risk models used in the determination of risk in adult and juvenile offenders.

2. Identify important components of at least two risk assessment instruments used for juvenile sex

offense cases.

3. Recognize a few of the challenges and limitations of juvenile sex offense case risk assessment.

4. List two major pathways to higher sex offense risk among adult male sex offenders.

5. Identify different uses for and special topics related to sex offense risk assessment instruments.

Although many juvenile sex offenders will return home after they have completed treatment services, there is not always an appropriate plan in place for this process.  Reunification can be a scary and emotional issue for the victim, the offender and other family members.  A solid treatment model with the goal of reunification will lay the foundation for this process to occur successfully.    

All professionals involved in this case must be aware of the goals that should be accomplished prior to the initialization of the reunification process and be mindful of the inherent pitfalls that occur throughout this process.  This training will focus on reunification between juvenile sex offenders and family members who are their victims.

Matthew Sandusky, Founder and Executive Director of Peaceful Hearts Foundation, was a victim of childhood sexual abuse from the age of 8 to 17 at the hands of his adopted father, Jerry Sandusky. Matthew is working to turn his traumatic personal experience into a mechanism to prevent childhood sexual abuse and help other survivors heal.

This presentation will provide an overview of the effects of trauma and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. It will focus on practical applications and techniques to providing trauma-informed care with specific considerations for working with juvenile sexual offenders (JSOs).  The presentation will review techniques for assessing and enhancing safety, including the importance of assessing for trauma and related co-morbid disorders and creating comprehensive safety plans to address issues of self-harm and high-risk behaviors.   Following this presentation, participants should have skills to increase the use of therapeutic language in their setting and recognize how symptoms of trauma may influence the supervision of and treatment for juvenile sexual offenders. The target audience for this presentation includes mental health providers, criminal justice professionals, and staff within residential treatment facilities and group homes.  

Undercover as a Pedophile: Six Years in Their Shoes

The term child molester is fairly common and is frequently used by the public. Robert Hugh Farley MS, who worked undercover as a pedophile for six years, in a federal strike force, in a three state area, presents an eye opening seminar that explores the distorted world, the rationalizations and the behavioral dynamics of those individuals who sexually abuse children. The seminar will identify and then discuss the methodologies and seduction techniques employed by the pedophile, the situational child molester, the preferential child molester and the technology facilitated child sexual predator. Lastly, the seminar examines the topics of child erotica, child pornography, trophies and their use by the child molester.

Understanding Child Sexual Abuse and the Technology Facilitated “Compliant Victim”

Children and teens have changed their way of thinking about personal issues and about communication. As a result, some victims of child sexual abuse have been referred to as “compliant victims.” This workshop topic discusses the investigation of child sexual abuse and looks at the role of technology and the “compliant victim.” Methodologies and grooming techniques employed by the child molester in social media, cell phones and on the Internet. In addition, prosecution issues for this type of victimization will be addressed.  The workshop will give those in attendance a better understanding of how social media now plays into child victimization.

Freehand Drawings: A Clarification Technique for Child Abuse Investigations

Utilizing sensitive and poignant vignettes, Robert Hugh Farley MS presents visual illustrations of sexual abuse and violent behavior not only received, but also witnessed by children and young people. Freehand drawings can provide victims of child maltreatment with a canvas to project and describe their experiences, providing valuable information for investigators and treatment providers.  The workshop will give those in attendance a better understanding of how freehand drawings are completed and productively used in both investigative and treatment settings when dealing with victims.