James Hopper, Ph.D., a nationally recognized consultant, trainer and lecturer on the neurobiology of trauma will keynote the event. Sexual Assault: Brain Experience, Behavior and Memory will explain how brain responses to sexual assault shape survivor experiences, behaviors and memory. Dr. Hopper has trained therapists, police officials, prosecutors, judges, higher education administrators and others across the nation, assisting them to better understand and respond to victims of sexual assault and child abuse. Hopper will also present workshops addressing the unique experiences and challenges of traumatized men and interventions for trauma that cultivate mindfulness, compassion and bodily awareness.
The Conference will be held on October 12, 2017 at the Conference & Event Center Niagara Falls. Continuing education credits are available for licensed social workers and mental health practitioners. The registration fee of $65 includes lunch and course materials. Additional information and online registration is available on the conference webpage or by calling (716)285-0045.
Other presenters include:
Cattaraugus County Sheriff Timothy Whitcomb who will provide a plenary presentation and follow-up workshop on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: History, Current Statistics and Incident Rates in First Responders. Sheriff Whitcomb, a law enforcement professional for 28 years, has a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology and is a certified police instructor for topics including interview interrogation, investigation of sex crimes and law enforcement response to school violence.
Jennifer Shimer, M.S., Rapid Response Facilitator for Love 146, an international human rights organization working to end child trafficking, provides response interventions to victims of child sex trafficking and is a lead trainer for Love 146’s #Not A Number prevention program. She will address Preventing Human Trafficking and Exploitation through Youth Empowerment and Caregiver Engagement and Engaging and Working with Survivors of Child Sex Trafficking.
Garra Lloyd-Lester, Associate Director for the Suicide Prevention Center of New York State, works with local, county and state systems to reduce the burden of suicide across the lifespan. He will present Suicide Prevention, Bullying and Cyberbullying: What Do We Know and What Can We Do? and Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) – Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Program.
Safe at Home: Seeking Solutions for Adults and Children Experiencing Family Violence is sponsored by the Niagara County Family Violence Project and the Child Advocacy Center of Niagara, a service of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.
Sponsorship support is also provided by:
The Niagara County Department of Social Services, the Niagara County Department of Mental Health, the Buffalo Bills, the New York State Office of Children and Family Services and Catholic Charities of Buffalo, Niagara Services Division.
