31st Annual Statewide Family Violence Conference

Location: Click here for a map of this location

Meditation:Start your day by joining Debbie Liam for a rejuvenating mindfulness and meditation session designed to set a positive tone for the conference. This inclusive group experience caters to both beginners and seasoned meditators, offering a welcoming space to slow down, breathe deeply, and connect with your inner self.

In this session, you'll have the opportunity to calm your mind and body, tune into your inner energies and emotions, and foster a deeper connection with your physical and emotional being. Debbie will provide foundational information and guidance, lead you through relaxing meditation practices, and facilitate a space for reflection and discussion afterwards. This practice is beneficial for your mind, emotions, body, and spirit, helping you to start your day and the conference with clarity and calm.

Location: Click here for the map to the ____

Join Kemba Smith Pradia as she shares her transformative journey from a life marked by incarceration to one of empowerment and advocacy. In this keynote address, Kemba will explore the complexities of navigating the justice system, the impact of domestic violence, and the essential steps toward healing and reform. She will discuss her work with the federal, state agencies along with various organizations and how communities can adapt and thrive in the "new not normal." Attendees will gain insights to policy, advocacy, resilience, and tools for creating supportive environments for survivors of violence, all while fostering meaningful connections that lead to systemic change. Together, we can build a brighter future for individuals and families affected by violence.

Visit the Venders

Deepfakes are one of the new, tragic side effects of an A.I. explosion we can’t keep up with. In this session, we’ll start by discussing: 1. What deepfakes are and how they came to be; 2. Their direct relationship with sextortion and sexual violence; and 3. Real world cases. Attendees will then witness how quick and effortless it is to build deepfake pictures and videos. In order to truly understand the effect they can have, it is critical to understand how they’re created. We’ll be going inside the most popular deepfake generators and creating one in real time. We’ll end the session with an open discussion of prevention methods as well as new laws and pending legislation that are urgently trying to slow deepfake growth.

Justice can be elusive for those who have been abused and exploited within the commercial sex industry. Offenders often identify sexually exploited individuals as easy prey for violence, assault, and further exploitation. An effective response to sexual violence requires a depth of understanding of the crime(s), the tactics used, and recognition of the impact of such on victims who may be coerced into non-disclosure, threatened, or who fear they will not be believed. Chief among these tactics is making use of existing misconceptions and myths that juries and judges may carry about sexual violence generally, and sex work in particular. To effectively seek justice for victims, prosecutors must understand and challenge these misconceptions. This includes understanding that sex offenders may target both known and unknown victims as well as a combination thereof. Offender tactics may vary significantly from victim to victim even from the same offender, but can include stalking, image exploitation, doxing, sextortion, and sex trafficking. This presentation will provide strategies to combat common myths surrounding what sexual offenses against commercially sexually exploited victims look like, and ways to combat those misconceptions at trial to maintain focus on the actions of the offender to avoid having those misconceptions shape an improper assessment of the victim at trial.

In this engaging and thought-provoking presentation, Jessica Cary, LMHC, a survivor and mental health professional, introduces a groundbreaking approach to understanding intimate partner violence (IPV) through the Integrative Healing Model for IPV (IHM-IPV). Attendees will explore how family violence survivors are often caught in a deeply ingrained societal setup that fosters victim-blaming and obscures true choice. The session begins with an interactive reflection exercise, prompting participants to examine their own responses to the systemic entrapment of survivors. Jessica will then introduce the "Stairway of Abuse", a framework designed to dissolve shame, provide psychoeducation, and help survivors reclaim agency. This discussion will be tied to intergenerational trauma and its role in perpetuating cycles of abuse. Attendees will gain practical insights into IHM-IPV, a holistic model addressing social determinants of health, therapeutic presence, and the interplay between education and experience. Through real-life examples, interactive worksheets, and experiential exercises, participants will learn how to integrate this model into their organizations and communities.
This workshop provides actionable strategies for clinicians, advocates, and professionals working with survivors, empowering them to foster healing and systemic change in the field of family violence prevention.

The Georgia Domestic Violence Benchbook provides a wealth of information on state and federal law and law-related topics that is helpful to anyone engaged in micro or macro level work to end domestic violence. This workshop will touch on a variety of issues including civil TPOs, lethality factor analysis, and more.

Many systems in place to address Intimate partner violence rely on an incident-based model which stands in stark contrast to our understanding of the complex dynamics inherent within relationships where a pattern of coercive control is present. This workshop is designed to empower practitioners from all sectors to move beyond the incident-based model to a pattern-based model by unpacking the complexity of what has been called, “the torment between the reportable DV incidents", coercive control. Based on the latest research and case examples from two decades of working directly with those impacted by coercive controlling violence, this workshop will help participants better understand and identify tactics used in coercive controlling relationships, the effects on adult and child targets, and practical ways helping professions can respond.

Murder-suicide leaves a profound and complex impact on survivors, families, and communities. This workshop draws from the findings of the report Addressing the Aftermath: An Examination of Specialized Support for Murder-Suicide Loss (2017-2023) to explore both the statistics and the human stories behind murder-suicide. Through survivor stories, we’ll examine the complex needs often excluded from traditional victim services. Participants will review available resources, identify key barriers and service gaps, and engage in small group discussions to identify community-specific support. Together, we’ll explore how to build a more inclusive and responsive support network for those navigating the aftermath of murder-suicide.

Visit the Vendors

This workshop explores the intricate trauma responses seen in victims of violence, covering sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and non-fatal strangulation. Attendees will deepen their understanding of both psychological and physiological reactions to trauma, focusing on neurobiological alterations, effects on emotional regulation, and cognitive functions. The session will also address effective intervention strategies to support victims and minimize the risk of secondary trauma.

Despite increased awareness of the complexities of domestic violence and improved law enforcement training on identifying the victim and perpetrator, survivors can be criminalized and prosecuted when they are actually in need of protection. Many criminalized survivors unwittingly trigger complex issues by petitioning for a civil protective order while facing charges. Survivors, who are often unrepresented at the early stages of the criminal process and filing for a protective order pro se, are faced with the challenge of balancing their need to preserve a defense with their need for safety and security. Assisting survivors with navigating two separate justice systems requires specific knowledge to help them maintain their rights while accessing the protections the law designed for them.
This workshop will give lawyers, advocates, and agency personnel strategies to support survivors effectively and provide holistic, empathetic support to ensure their safety and legal protection. The workshop will highlight ethical considerations, informed consent, and trauma-informed advocacy. The workshop presumes that participants have a basic understanding of protective orders and criminal procedure.

Modern love stories often begin online through any number of “dating apps”. However, not every online connection has a happy ending. Offenders are increasingly misusing dating apps to identify victims and then stalk, abuse, or exploit them online and in the real world. Tech-savvy offenders often hide behind technology to avoid detection and escape accountability. Archaic, but still common victim-blaming attitudes such as “assuming risk” can impede investigations and prosecutions of crimes where the victim and offender met online. These attitudes may also impact victims, causing them to fear disbelief if they report these crimes. The presenters will use case examples to describe how dating apps can be misused to identify, recruit, abuse, exploit, and stalk victims. The presentation will provide insight into the dimensions of violence as well as practical strategies to investigate and prosecute crimes of dating violence, sexual assault, non-consensual distribution of intimate images, stalking, and other crimes that are tied to the use of dating apps. Discussions will focus on preserving and introducing digital evidence, ethically safeguarding victim safety and privacy, and combatting common defenses at trial.

This workshop will shed light on issues at the intersection of animal abuse and interpersonal violence, such as the ways in which domestic violence impacts the entire family unit – including companion animals. Participants will be presented with evidence of the link between violence toward humans and animals with the hope of facilitating earlier interventions to address such co-occuring violence. Awareness of the need to consider non-human family members in serving victims of family violence has grown exponentially in recent years. The demand for pet-friendly crisis intervention continues to rise and has outsized the collective resources available in Georgia. Drawing on 21 years of experience serving pet-owning survivors in Georgia, Ahimsa House will offer best practices for considering pets throughout every systematic touchpoint during a survivor’s experience seeking safety, including possibilities for interagency collaboration. Representatives from Ahimsa House will also discuss the programs their organization offers, explain the referral process, and initiate a conversation and share tools with other service providers looking to expand their support for survivors with pets. Guided by a recent survey of domestic violence shelters’ desires to accommodate pets onsite, the workshop will specifically touch on some of the barriers mentioned and possible solutions or alternatives.

As domestic violence cases grow more complex due to factors like technological abuse, coercive control, and increased lethality risks, effective intervention requires innovative collaboration. Athens-Clarke County’s newly established High-Risk Team (HRT) brings together law enforcement, prosecutors, and advocates to address high-lethality domestic violence cases with a survivor-focused and data-informed approach. Although we are a new team, our coordinated efforts have already yielded important lessons, early successes, and practical strategies. In this workshop, HRT Coordinator Donna Bracewell will share key insights into how the team was developed, structured, and launched. Participants will hear directly from law enforcement, prosecution, and victim advocates as they discuss real-life examples of early victories, challenges, and how they continue to refine their model.
Attendees will walk away with practical guidance on starting or improving a High-Risk Team in their own jurisdictions, including tips on stakeholder engagement, on-scene coordination, and case follow-up. This session is designed to provide realistic, actionable steps and honest discussions about what works, what doesn’t, and how to foster effective collaboration to prevent lethal violence.

What if you had to choose between your safety and your child’s stability? Between escaping violence and risking homelessness? In Their Shoes is not a typical training—it’s a transformative, immersive experience that places you in the life of someone experiencing domestic violence. Updated for 2025, this new version deepens the emotional and strategic impact of the original exercise.
As you navigate real-life scenarios, you’ll confront the psychological, emotional, and logistical realities survivors face every day. You’ll move, decide, feel—and, most importantly, understand. This workshop is built for professionals across disciplines: advocates, law enforcement, healthcare providers, legal practitioners, and community partners alike. By walking in the shoes of a survivor, you’ll walk away better prepared to support them.

Yoga: Join Debbie Liam for a refreshing end to the conference with an intermediate-level yoga class that welcomes practitioners of all experience levels. Whether you’re new to yoga or have been hesitant to try it, this is a perfect opportunity to dive in. Debbie’s inclusive philosophy ensures that yoga is accessible to everyone.

In this class, you'll find options tailored to all levels, allowing you to tune into your body’s needs each day. The session will feature a blend of meditation, pranayama (breathing exercises), a joint series warm-up, stretching, classical yoga poses, and conclude with Savasana—a restorative pose to help you integrate the practice.

Please bring a water bottle, a mat, and/or a towel or blanket if possible; if not, don’t worry—Debbie will have you covered. We look forward to sharing this practice with you. Namaste.

Location: Click here for the map to the _____

How does it feel to be vulnerable? Explore how it feels and what we can do to prevent youth from being victimized. We will discuss best practices on working with victims and survivors of trafficking and the importance of being trauma informed. Personal survivor stories will be broken down to look at what could have been done differently. The presentation is a mix of audience participation, lecture and hands on activity to learn what we can do to protect and guide youth to safety.

Family violence and sexual violence are a prevailing problem in our world. Victims are faced with an uphill battle when leaving abusive relationships, and the criminal justice system can be an intimidating process. In 2023, the Acworth Police Department created a new role: a dedicated Crime Victim Advocate to work hand in hand with officers. Through this innovative role, victims are connected with an advocate immediately to provide support in navigating a criminal investigation.


In this workshop we will first analyze the issue of family violence and sexual violence in our society. An overview of the dynamics in gender-based crime and the importance of a trauma-informed response will be explained in detail. We will then discuss the benefits of law enforcement agencies employing a dedicated full-time victim advocate. Through an explanation of the role, case studies, and police officer accounts, we will see firsthand how a victim advocate can support victims and law enforcement through the criminal justice process.

This essential training program is specifically designed to enhance participants' understanding of the critical role that strangulation plays in the broader context of domestic violence cases. The course aims to leverage the collective expertise of law enforcement, advocates, and prosecutors to create an environment that emphasizes the importance of comprehensive and nuanced victim interviews. By drawing on our collective experience and insights into the dynamics of abuse, we move beyond reliance on victim self-reporting. Through the examination of case studies and engaging in interactive discussions, attendees will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to improve their response to domestic violence incidents, thereby enhancing victim safety and reinforcing prosecution efforts.

This interactive workshop will examine the profound impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), on pathways to both victimization and perpetration in family violence. The discussion will focus on how early childhood trauma influences long-term behavioral and relational patterns, increasing the risk of experiencing or perpetuating family violence in adulthood. A key theme of this session is understanding how chronic exposure to adversity conditions individuals to accept unhealthy relationships and family violence as normal, and how the proliferation of power and control within intimate relationships now parallel the emergence of these behaviors within broader social and institutional structures, reinforcing patterns of dominance, submission, and abuse—aligning with this year’s conference theme, Navigating the New Not Normal. We will also explore how victimization patterns differ based on gender, with some individuals experiencing a continuous cycle of victimization, while others may shift between victim and perpetrator roles over time.


Participants will gain insight into how childhood trauma affects adult functioning, relationships, and emotional regulation. The session will provide practical, trauma-informed strategies to disrupt these cycles and promote healing, with a focus on effective intervention and prevention approaches.

The TPO case does not always end when the TPO is issued. After a TPO is issued, post-judgment motions such as contempt, modification or for a permanent restraining order may be filed. An appeal may be filed. Or the solution may be to not file a TPO but instead a creative, out of the box solution may be best. We will discuss these areas: Considerations Before a TPO: Creative solutions such as criminal trespass warnings, small claims court options, when the domestic violence survivor is the one who was arrested and how to not make your client homeless by filing a TPO.


Between the ExParte Order and 12-Month Hearing: Answers and counterclaims, TPOs filed by the abuser


After a 12-Month Order is Granted: Post TPO motions (contempt, modification, permanent protective order) and motions to dismiss the TPO


When survivors get an adverse outcome in a TPO: Reconsideration and Appeals

In this workshop participants will discuss interactions with "different" communities in early childhood as well as the intricacies of the immigrant experience. They will identify barriers for immigrant victims/survivors of gender-based violence and other crimes; they will receive information regarding the potential legal remedies and the everchanging landscape of immigrant policies and how they affect survivors; they will understand the how trauma-informed and community centered approaches benefit immigrant survivors and practical ways in which we can facilitate access to safety, justice and healing for ALL survivors of crime.

This workshop will utilize a case study to explore the dynamics of reconciliation and recantation in relationships where coercive control and intimate partner violence are present. Attendees will explore ways to respond to this behavior throughout the pendency of a case and will discuss best practices in holding abusers accountable in their jurisdictions. Attendees will also explore the importance of addressing implicit gender bias, building an evidence-based case, and participating in a multi-disciplinary approach when responding to common abuser and victim behaviors. Finally, over the course of the workshop, attendees will examine areas for improvement.

Transgender survivors of intimate partner violence face unique barriers to accessing critical safety resources like emergency shelter and affordable housing. Domestic Violence programs who desire to provide equitable and accessible services to all survivors may struggle with the practical implications of sheltering transgender survivors. This workshop seeks to provide practical ways to reduce the barriers to accessing housing services, including emergency shelter, for transgender survivors by hearing from two professionals in the field seeking to do just that. Learn from their challenges, be inspired by their successes and leave with best practices to ensure all survivors can access the housing support they need to live free from violence.

The domestic violence field demands resilience, empathy, and relentless commitment. In "the new not normal," with its shifting challenges and heightened pressures, advocates may find themselves out of alignment with the values that first inspired their work. This interactive session explores how reconnecting with personal and professional values can prevent burnout, foster resilience, and elevate role satisfaction. Through engaging activities, reflection exercises, and group collaboration, participants will identify their core values, evaluate where misalignment may be occurring, and develop actionable strategies to realign their work with their principles. Addressing value alignment not only enhances individual wellness but also strengthens our collective ability to navigate advocacy’s evolving landscape.

This workshop aims to discuss the vital impact a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) can have on both survivors’ engagement with the core agencies and long-term health outcomes. By utilizing a standardized case review template, a case analysis of interpersonal violence (IPV) and sexual assault (SA) will be traversed, from acute victim presentation to continued long-term engagement through trauma-focused counseling and case prosecution. By providing the intersection of the SART’s core agencies roles, the case will be detailed through advocacy and medical response and services and continued with movement through law enforcement investigation and prosecution. In closing with the survivor’s feedback, this comprehensive SART approach can provide a path to enhancing communities response to the challenges and complexities faced when IPV intersects with SA.

This workshop presents the findings of a pilot study that investigated two vaginal/cervical biologic specimen swab collection techniques used by Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) during a forensic medical exam (FME) and compared Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) eligible specimen collection rates among them. This session will discuss the implications of the study’s findings for forensic nursing practices and the potential to better support criminal investigations.

Theresa kept a dark, deep secret for over twenty years. A secret that once
told, would begin to wake up our society, change archaic mindsets and unjust laws.
It wasn't until she was studying to be a counselor that she became empowered to find her voice after all the years of victimization. Simultaneously she learned that there were thousands of other "Theresa's"
out there going through the same hell she had once endured.
Being sold nightly to strange men for sex.
Ms. Flores will discuss how it is that no one saw the signs of a child being
trafficked and her path of survival. It is a story that will make you angry, cry
and laugh and give you hope that we can help others from this horror. Learn
the red flags of a person being trafficked, the emotional & physical implications this has on victims and how to help them heal.

This workshop will describe best practices for serving LGBTQ+ survivors of intimate partner violence and human trafficking. We will discuss: (1) An overview of basic LGBTQ+ terminology, (2) Common barriers LGBTQ+ survivors face to seeking and receiving equitable help from service providers, (3) Best practices and practical suggestions for better serving LGBTQ+ survivors and minimizing barriers to help-seeking for those who have not yet sought help. Discussions will include guidance for navigating the current rapidly changing sociopolitical landscape, especially the impacts on the health and safety of LGBTQ+ survivors.

This presentation explores how empathetic leadership can cultivate a culture of trust within organizations. Participants will learn to apply empathy in their leadership style to build stronger relationships, enhance communication, and foster an inclusive environment. The course covers techniques for active listening, understanding team dynamics, and addressing the emotional needs of team members. By developing these skills, leaders will be better equipped to create a supportive workplace that promotes collaboration, engagement, and high performance.

In this dynamic session, a Children's Advocacy Center Advocate and SVU Detective demonstrate how authentic partnerships between CACs and law enforcement can transform family violence response. Moving beyond basic collaboration, this workshop reveals how genuine relationships, mutual respect, and shared trauma-informed approaches create more effective teams. Through real-world examples, interactive discussions, and practical strategies, participants will learn how to build and maintain partnerships that better serve children and families impacted by family violence and sexual violence while supporting team members. The presenters will share their journey of creating a strong CAC-law enforcement partnership, including specific examples of how their relationship has enhanced investigations, reduced trauma for families, and created a resilient team culture. Participants will engage in focused breakout sessions to develop concrete strategies for building similar partnerships in their communities.

This class teaches how to educate the jury from the time a report is received through closing arguments. A victim interview is a talk with the jury; a suspect interview is a defense attorney's nightmare. Cross examination tactics, tips for testifying, and recovering from mistakes on the stand are also covered. Attorneys will add experts to cases & refine the ones they already have access to; "witnesses" leave equipped to qualify as an expert and, more importantly, with the confidence to be one.

This workshop explores the integration of creative writing into therapeutic practices to enhance the healing process for all abuse survivors, including those actively enduring abuse. The movement to end domestic violence and sexual assault gains strength through the voices of survivors. Storytelling through prose—such as narratives, poems, and real-to-life fictional accounts—serves as a dynamic method for expression and healing. It not only enables survivors to process and articulate their experiences in ways that foster control, self-empathy, empowerment, and catharsis but also helps them envision their ideal future, providing a pathway to move forward. Participants in this workshop will learn how to safely and effectively guide survivors in using the transformative power of prose to reclaim their narratives and envision a future beyond their current circumstances. The session is designed to support healing and empowerment, offering an ethically sound framework that emphasizes recovery and resilience.

Thank you for Joining us in Jekyll Island this year!  Save the date for 2026 in Atlanta