2015 Vermont Sexual Violence Summit
A Community Response - From One Field to Another
Please join us for a daylong conference that will explore topics of sexual violence and
victimization. Throughout the day, several different workshops will examine current
best practices in the field, working with victims and offenders and what the future holds.
Where:
When:
Lake Morey Resort, VT
September 16, 2015
Cost:
$75.00 per person
$60.00 per person in groups of 4 or more
For more information: www.ourhouse-vt.org
Agenda at a Glance
8:00-9:00
Registration and Morning Refreshments
9:00-10:30
Plenary: The Practical Application of FETI (David Markel)
10:30-10:45
Break
10:45-12:15
Concurrent Workshop Sessions A (90 Minutes)
1. Interview & Interrogation (Sgt. Aimee Nolan)
2. Forensic Experiential Trauma Interview Model (David
Markel)
3. What You Need To Know: Youth Sex Trafficking
Prevention & Intervention in Vermont (Dr. Aron
Steward)
4. Dedicated Forensic Interviewer Panel (Windsor County
SIU/CAC)
12:15-1:00
Lunch
1:00-2:30
Concurrent Workshop Group B (90 Minutes)
1. Effective Prosecution in Sex Crimes Panel
2. Vicarious Trauma for the Interviewer (David Markel)
3. Crime Scene Investigation for Sex Crimes (Sgt. Aimee
Nolan)
4. Working with Children who have Communication Disabilities
(Christina Rainville)
2:30-2:45
Break
3:45-4:00
Concurrent Workshop Group C (75 Minutes)
1. Act 60 Panel (Marc Metayer, Jenn Poehlman, Diane
Wheeler, Christina Rainville)
2. Grooming Techniques (Sgt. Aimee Nolan)
3. The Chutes and Ladders of MDT's (Greg Flett, NRCAC)
Workshop Descriptions
The Practical Application of FETI
David Markel (David Markel Consulting, LLC)
The Forensic Experiential Trauma Interview© (FETI) was developed by Russell
Strand, a former Army Special Agent, and refined with experts in the field of
neurobiology of trauma and memory. This presentation will explain how victims
of sexual assault and rape, due to automatic reactions by their brains, actually
experienced their assaults and recorded them into memory; this initial
understanding is key to effective evidence gathering. This overview will also
explain how the FETI technique reduces the inaccuracy of the information
provided by a victim during an interview and greatly enhances the
understanding of the traumatized person’s experience by teaching interviewers
to ask the right kinds of questions, in the right ways, enabling them to
understand victim behaviors and memories that would otherwise be confusing –
or may even have been viewed as evidence of a false accusation. People talk
more when they feel safe and understood.
Interview and Interrogation
Aimee Nolan (Vermont State Police)
This workshop will offer an introduction to general interview skills, theme
building, and the all -important alternative question. Attendees will be
introduced to the basic ideas of interview and interrogation and how to apply
them when working cases of a sexual nature.
FETI at Work
David Markel (Markel Consulting)
Participants in this workshop will be able to see the Forensic Experiential
Trauma Interview at work, and be given the opportunity to experience and give
feed-back to fellow-participants who volunteer to try the technique themselves.
This interactive session provides a hands-on approach to understanding how a
victim of trauma may react in an interview setting, and how to better educe
information from those who are being interviewed.
“What you need to know: Youth sex trafficking prevention & intervention
in Vermont”
Dr. Aron Steward (Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center)
This brief seminar will define youth sex trafficking historically and globally and
then specifically outline the current challenges faced by the state of Vermont.
Participants will gain a clear understanding of the current landscape of youth
sex trafficking in Vermont including the efforts to date to prevent and intervene.
Participants will be provided instruction as to the risk factors and red flags
associated with at risk victims, the indicators for potential traffickers and the
dynamic between the two that places our youth at risk. Immediate signs and
symptoms will be presented and the procedure participants should follow when
a suspected case is identified will be provided. The presenter will encourage a
call to action where participants better understand ways to identify victims and
know immediately what to do following identification.
Forensic Interviewer Panel
(Windsor County SIU)
The Windsor County Special Investigation Unit (WNSI) piloted Vermont’s 1st
dedicated Forensic Interviewer model in 2012. The journey toward this model
required extensive discussion and planning with community partners and
funding sources. As the 4th year of its inception approaches, the WNSI multidisciplinary team reflects back on the history and development of the Forensic
Interviewer position, including funding streams, selection/hiring process, the
advantages and disadvantages of a dedicated Forensic Interviewer model,
challenges faced and successes celebrated. Facilitating the workshop,
members of the WNSI team will be on hand to present their own individual
insights and answer questions (panel format) in order to promote an interactive
discussion. This workshop is designed for those CAC/SIU teams that are
contemplating moving to a dedicated Forensic Interviewer model, have recently
started one, or those units considering similar options without a complete
transition to the model. Presenters will include representatives from all pertinent
disciplines, including Windsor County State’s Attorney’s Office, Windsor County
Special Investigation Unit, Law Enforcement, DCF and Victim Advocates.
Effective Prosecution of Sex Crimes Panel
(Orleans County), (Rutland County), (Washington County)
This panel of 3 State’s Attorneys will bring a fresh approach to the challenges of
prosecuting crimes of a sexual nature.
Responding to Vicarious Trauma for the Interviewer
David Markel (Markel Consulting)
FETI is unique in that it utilizes an approach that assures that victims feel they
are being listened to; this maximizes victim recall and enhances the interview
process overall. The process therefore opens the interviewer to a connection
with the victim that increases potential for vicarious trauma. This block will focus
on the perspective of what it means to absorb trauma from traumatized victims
and how best to recognize and manage vicarious trauma.
Crime Scene Investigation for Sex Crimes
Aimee Nolan (Vermont State Police)
This presentation will offer an introduction to crime scene investigation and
basic evidence collection with a focus of crimes of a sexual nature. This
workshop will be most beneficial for law enforcement who would be responsible
for evidence collection and maintaining the chain of custody.
Working with Children who have Communication Disabilities
Christina Rainville (Bennington County State’s Attorneys Office)
Children with communications disabilities are victimized (both sexually and
physically) at rates far greater than non-disabled peers. But the fact that a childvictim cannot speak, or cannot communicate without accommodations, should
never be a bar to prosecution. Learn about common communications
disabilities including autism, selective mutism, mutism about traumatic events
and other communications disabilities and how to accommodate these children
–both in your meetings and at trail.
Act 60 Panel
Marc Metayer (Special Investigation Unit), Jennifer Poelhman (Vermont
Children's Alliance), Diane Wheeler (State’s Attorney’s Office-North), Christina
Rainville (State’s Attorney-South) Sheila Duranleau (DCF-Family Services)
Act 60: An act relating to improving Vermont’s system for protecting children
from abuse and neglect. This 75 minute panel discussion will involve
representatives from Vermont’s Special Investigation Units program, Vermont
Children’s Alliance Chapter of Children’s Advocacy Centers, the Attorney
General’s Office and Department of Children and Families. Each organization
will provide highlights of the legislative changes and mandates to be enacted
with the passage of Act 60 in the 2015 Legislative Session. Modeling the spirit
of the law, this panel will participate as a team to explain the changes, expected
benefits and system improvements intended in the law. Participants will
participate with apply opportunity for questions and feedback.
The Chutes and Ladders of MDT's
Greg Flett (Northeast Regional Child Advocacy Center)
Despite their ability to dramatically improve outcomes for children,
Multidisciplinary teams are complex creatures fraught with opportunities for
disaster. Much like the children's game of Chutes and Ladders, the road to a
highly functioning MDT is filled with both setbacks and successes.
This workshop will discuss some of the common pitfalls of MDT's and explore
interventions for addressing issues when they arise, as well as strategies to
keep things running smoothly in the first place.
Grooming
Aimee Nolan (Vermont State Police)
This session will provide examples of techniques used by perpetrators to groom
children as they head down the path to commit the offenses. Examples
provided will be a combination of documented research, as well as examples
from cases I have investigated. The session will also include the use of
technology in grooming potential victims.
Presenter Biographies
Jennifer Barrett is the Orleans County State’s Attorney, and is currently the
youngest state’s attorney in Vermont. Barrett took office in February 2015 after
winning the primary election against the incumbent in August of 2014 and
prevailing again in the general election against two other candidates in
November. Barrett oversees an office of six employees and all criminal and
juvenile cases that come through the court system in the county of 27,000
people. Her college education began at Champlain College where she studied
computer and digital forensics. She then earned her law degree through the
University of New Hampshire School of Law. Barrett worked for a period of time
in Orleans County as a Deputy State’s Attorney before she took a full-time
deputy position through the Bennington County State’s Attorney’s office. A few
years later, she was encouraged by law enforcement, as well as others, to run
for the Orleans County position when the opportunity arose. After heavy
campaigning and speaking with local residents about their concerns with crime
in the area, she won the election and continues to fulfill her promises to the
community, including firm prosecution against domestic violence and drug
related crimes.
Sheila Duranleau is a policy and operations manager for DCF, Family Services
Division. She is a member of the senior management team and has
responsibility for supervising the operations of several district offices. She has
worked for DCF for 15 years. Prior to working for the SOV she worked for OUR
House of Central Vermont, Washington County’s Children’s Advocacy Center
where she was the victim advocate and then served as the executive director
from 1995-2000.
Greg Flett has over 10 years’ experience in leadership positions at child serving
non-profit organizations throughout the US. Greg has served as director of the
Nassau County, NY and Boulder County, CO CAC’s and has worked closely
with MDT members in multiple settings to improve outcomes for child victims of
abuse and neglect. As a consultant/facilitator for multiple Team Academy
Trainings in the Western and Northeast Regions Greg has assisted struggling
MDT’s to identify and address their challenges and make the necessary
changes for improvement. Greg has a strong focus on supporting MDT’s to
work more cooperatively by improving communication, clarifying roles and
developing partnerships to accomplish shared goals. Greg joined the NRCAC in
August of 2014.
Rose Kennedy assumed the Office of the Rutland County State’s Attorney
February 1, 2015, after defeating the incumbent last fall. Originally from
Pittsburgh, PA, Rose went to law school at The American University in
Washington, DC and graduated magna cum laude. She then moved to Vermont
and became a Deputy State’s Attorney in Chittenden County. In 2001, Rose was
assigned to the Chittenden Unit for Special Investigations as the sole prosecutor
for that county’s sexual assaults and severe child-abuse cases. In 2006, Rose
moved to Rutland and became a full time mom of two children. She returned to
work in 2013 as a Deputy State’s Attorney in Rutland County. While there,
Rose decided that the office could do a better job investigating and prosecuting
sexual assaults, domestic violence and crimes against children and decided to
run against her then boss. While running for office, Rose worked as an
Assistant Attorney General assigned to prosecute termination of parental rights
cases. Rose is passionate about prosecuting sex crimes and crimes against
children and dedicates herself to supporting law enforcement, victim advocates
and victims who speak out against these wrongs.
David W. Markel is a 32-year veteran of law enforcement and the criminal
justice system. He started his career as a patrol officer of the Lafayette (CO)
Police Department in 1983. Three years later he was promoted to the
Investigations Division, and in 1996 was assigned to lead the newly formed
Family Crimes Unit of the detective division with Lafayette PD. During his tenure
as detective, Dave’s expertise in criminal investigations included sexual assault,
domestic violence crimes–including strangulation cases, sexual assault on
children, and child abuse. In 1997 he began instructing other Colorado law
enforcement officers and other criminal justice professionals in investigating and
prosecuting these crimes. In May of 2001 Dave retired from the police
department, moved to St. George, UT, and began his own training and
consulting business, training criminal justice professionals all over the nation.
Marc Metayer is currently the SIU Grants Program Manager for the VT
Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs. Mr. Metayer served with the
Vermont State Police and the Department of Public Safety for 31 years, retiring
in 2009 as Deputy Commissioner. In his current role with the SIU Grants
Program, he is responsible for the administration of the Program Support Grants
and the Law Enforcement Support Grants awarded to the twelve Special
Investigation Units located throughout Vermont.
Aimee Nolan is a Sergeant with the Vermont State Police, and is currently
assigned to the Traffic Operations (TOPS) Unit. She began her law
enforcement career in 1995 and worked for two municipal departments, before
transferring to the Vermont State Police in 2005. Aimee spent 6 years in the
Washington County Special Investigations Unit as a Detective, investigating
crimes of a sexual nature and extreme cases of physical abuse of children.
After that she became a certified Polygraph Examiner and worked in the
polygraph unit for 1 ½ years, before transferring back into a uniform position.
Aimee has also been a member of the Vermont State Police Crime Scene
Search Team since June of 2007.
Diane Rainville, J.D. is the Chief Deputy State’s Attorney for Bennington County,
Vermont, where she has headed the Special Investigations Unit since 2007. Ms.
Rainville has prosecuted child sexual and physical abuse cases on behalf of
children with a wide range of disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder,
deafness, intellectual disability, reactive attachment disorder, post-traumatic
stress disorder, and other disabilities which affect a child’s ability to
communicate. Thirteen of her articles about prosecuting cases for children with
disabilities have been published in the leading journal, Child Law Practice, and
her book, Justice for Juveniles with Disabilities, will be published by the
American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law. Ms. Rainville is also
an accomplished appellate lawyer; she successfully argued the Vermont v.
Brilloncase before the United States Supreme Court. She received her B.S.
from Northwestern University, and her J.D. degree from Northwestern University
School of Law.
Dr. Aron Steward completed a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at SUNY
Buffalo in 2007, where her areas of interest were alternative therapy modalities,
violence prevention and intervention, clinician self-care, and qualitative research.
Following graduate studies, the NJ DOC recruited Dr. Steward to develop
behavior management programming in maximum security prisons for female
offenders labeled most violent and aggressive and create intensive outpatient
programming for the states’ most persistently mentally ill female offenders.
Following that, Dr. Steward supervised a Los Angeles County DCFS mental
health team interacting with the highest risk foster care youth and helped to
create the Youth Trafficking Taskforce, a multidisciplinary immediate response
team. Dr. Steward then accepted a position working for Los Angeles County
law enforcement teams in community crisis response toward suicide and
homicide prevention and school shooter prevention. Currently, Dr. Steward is
the Assistant Director at Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center, the most
secure facility in the state for adjudicated youth. Dr. Steward consults with
families where children have been trafficked, institutions that provide survivors
with treatment and the State of Vermont Human trafficking taskforce. She is
currently completing her MBA at UMASS Isenberg School of Management in
healthcare administration.
Scott R. Williams born in Bennington Vermont, Scott’s father was transient
farm-hand/machinist/factory worker. His mother was a waitress/seamstress/
assembly worker until she put herself through nursing school post-divorce,
raising her two sons alone from a young age.
Upon being honorably discharged from military service, Scott attended Marlboro
College in Marlboro VT, worked as a lift rat and ski patroller, was certified as
boot, binding, and ski technician for several major ski equipment manufacturers,
and worked in a ski and sports shop for several years while in college.
With a degree in Sociology/Anthropology/Education, Scott served as Resource
Development Director for the Vermont Assistive Technology Project, where he
was responsible for developing funding for and administration of the Vermont
Assistive Technology Loan Fund, which provided both leverage for conventional
lending and an alternative lending source for the purchase of adaptive
equipment by Vermonters with disabilities. After two years with the AT Project,
Scott enrolled at Temple University School of Law where he focused on trial
advocacy with an emphasis on criminal law.
While in law school Scott interned and clerked for Cozen & O’Connor (now
Cozen O’Connor), a nationally ranked law firm based in Philadelphia, PA. with
600 lawyers in 23 cities.
In 2004, Scott returned to Vermont where he joined Rubin, Kidney, Myer and
Dewolfe. After three years there, Scott formed Williams and Gray with fellow
Temple Law School Graduate Austin Gray. In 2013, Scott started the Williams
Law Group, with a focus on complex small business litigation, including defense
of clients against claims and complaints from the Vermont Department of Labor.
In 2014, believing that Washington County deserved a new perspective on
criminal prosecution, Scott ran for an elected position for the first time, and was
elected in November, 2014, taking office on February 2nd, 2015.
How To Register
 Registration will begin on August 3, 2015
 To register on line please follow this link: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015sexual-violence-summit-tickets-17938526616
 Payment is as followed:
1. $75.00 per person
2. $60.00 per person when registering in groups of 4 or more
3. Register online with a credit card
4. No credit card payments will be accepted the day of the event
5. If you would like to pay by check, please fill out the registration form on the
next page
6. Checks will be accepted the day of the event
 If you have any physical needs, please let the conference organizers know
 The Vermont Summit on Sexual Violence has been awarded:
5 continuing education credits for Social Workers in Vermont
4.25 hours of general credits for continuing legal education
If you have any questions, please contact:
Kerrie Greig
802-476-8825
ourhousebarre@gmail.com
Registration Form
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Please print this page and mail it to:
O.U.R. House of Central Vermont
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