Community Trainings

Lunch will be provided for this free community training!

We often ask those experiencing abuse, either directly or implied, “Why don’t you just leave?” The burden of this crime, from finding safety, to protecting their children, to holding the offender accountable, is too often placed on the victim’s shoulders, rather than on the professionals in the criminal justice system.

This training will explore the dynamics of intimate partner violence and the accompanying trauma that often keeps victims trapped in abusive relationships, or, when they do try to leave, ensures that their lives are still controlled by their abusive partner. The presenters will use the Power & Control Wheel to explain how abuse permeates every aspect of a victim’s life, leading to complex trauma. They will then discuss the effects of trauma on the brain and how trauma shows up when professionals respond to domestic violence and sexual assault cases. Finally, attendees will be asked to reflect on how their own experiences of vicarious and secondary trauma may affect their day-to-day functioning and their ability to effectively work with survivors of intimate partner abuse.

3.75 hours of Continuing Professional Education has been applied for on behalf of the following groups: TCOLE, MCLE, LMFT, LMSW, LPC

Justin Boardman is a retired police detective from the West Valley City Police Department in Utah. Det. Boardman, along with Donna Kelly, ESQ., co-authored a Trauma-Informed Victim Interview protocol for adult victims of sexual assault. This guideline uses the Neurobiology of Trauma to gain additional information to be used in an investigation and has been shown to increase prosecutions along with procedure changes. After retirement, Det. Boardman has focused on culture change within the community and presents and consults nationally and internationally on a variety of subjects.

Jordyn Lawson is the director of Residential Services at Genesis Women’s Shelter and Support, and has a passion for ending domestic violence and helping those who have experienced the pain of trauma heal and grow. Ms. Lawson supervises both the emergency shelter and Annie’s House transitional living program. Previously, Ms. Lawson was the assistant clinical director at Genesis, and has worked in the field of domestic violence and trauma recovery for over 12 years. During that time, Ms. Lawson has provided individual and group counseling services to women, adolescents, and children victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and childhood trauma.