Training & Outreach

[Audience: Anyone Who Works With Teens] Prevention encompasses everything from education and legislation to legal protections when it comes to teen dating violence and sexual assault. This presentation covers the greater impact of adverse and positive childhood experiences on the community and the latest research in positive youth development. Dynamics of power-based abuse and ways to support teens in establishing and maintaining healthy romantic relationships and friendships will also be discussed. Participants will walk away with practical strategies and tools to not only prevent teen dating violence specifically, but all forms of interpersonal violence in their community.
 

This training explores the dynamics of abusive relationships, how to recognize and respond to power-based abuse, the long-lasting effects that abuse can have on survivors, and answers to the age-old question, “Why won’t they just leave?” Attendees will discover ways they can help and which resources are available to survivors through Texas Advocacy Project. This training is a great introduction for anyone who would like to learn about power-based abuse.
 

This training focuses on the complexity of the systems that survivors of family and sexual violence may encounter or from which they may seek assistance. Advocates will develop a deeper understanding of their roles in supporting survivors through trauma and carving a path for access to justice, with an approach grounded in empowerment-based advocacy.
 

Nearly all survivors experience financial abuse in some form. Economic factors greatly impact safety planning, and advocates and allies must help survivors navigate these challenges within their individual circumstances. This training will bring new understanding to the prevalence of financial abuse and provide information on legal remedies available to survivors.
 

Participants will learn how to help survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault create an individualized plan to help reduce the risks they and their children face. This presentation will move beyond the basic safety plan and identify unique circumstances that require additional safety precautions and the best practices to employ.
 

This training will first identify what empowerment-based models are and will explain how these models can be replicated and implemented into each practice. Empowerment-based advocacy can help survivors identify their own strengths and reframe their sense of self, therefore enhancing their capacity for self-determination. Survivors of power-based violence, including intimate partner violence and sexual assault, experience ongoing trauma that affects the way they will respond to and heal from victimization. This workshop will help participants identify how trauma affects survivors of violence, the neurobiology of trauma within the brain, and appropriate ways to serve individual survivors.
 

Victims of human trafficking have many unique needs when compared to victims of other forms of power-based abuse. In this workshop, presenters will take a deep dive into the dynamics of this civil rights issue, and will introduce available civil legal remedies that provide relief and freedom for human trafficking victims. This training will also cover innovative ways to bring together attorneys and social workers to even more successfully support survivors through trauma-informed services and care plans.
 

The high statistics don't lie. Many survivors of power-based abuse will be a part of the movement in some form or fashion, whether the abusive event(s) occur before or during their employment. This training will cover these dynamics, and ways we can better support staff through care plans, open communication, and trauma-informed procedures. It will also cover best practices in creating an open and healthy work environment.
 

This is a scenario-based activity designed to help participants talk and learn about domestic violence. Participants will become characters, make choices about their relationships, and see what happens. In Her Shoes provides a snapshot of violent and coercive relationships based on real-life stories. The experience generates a thoughtful discussion about what happens in unhealthy relationships and what opportunities exist to support those experiencing them. This simulation is great for groups of all sizes but works best with 20-40 people and takes about an hour and a half to 2 hours to experience and debrief.
 

This is a scenario-based activity designed to help participants understand the experiences of survivors of domestic violence. The scenarios are based on true stories – and typify the complex and dynamic nature of domestic violence, while also calling out the more specific barriers that survivors face when they are living in poverty or are plunged into poverty as a result of domestic violence. This simulation is great for groups of all sizes but works best with 20-40 people and takes about an hour and a half to 2 hours to experience and debrief.
 

This training explores the past efforts of advocates throughout the 20th century, and the lasting influence their work has on the movement today. Participants will gain a foundational understanding of domestic violence in this larger context, and will walk away with strategies in facilitating survivor conversations that are trauma-informed and safety-focused.
 

Co-parenting will always come with its difficulties. Co-parenting with an abuser, however, will pose its own unique set of frustrations and risks. This training will dive into the dynamics of co-parenting with an abuser, whether divorced, separated, or coupled. Attendees will learn trauma-informed best practices in keeping parents and kids safe and healthy while navigating this murky territory, as well as specific safety planning techniques to increase wellbeing. This training will also cover the latest research in parallel parenting and legal strategies to further protect families.
 

In this workshop we will discuss the myriad of services that Texas Advocacy Project offers as well as process through ways we can provide support to your program. Our goal is to strengthen our relationship with organizations across the state and bridge gaps that our survivors are currently facing. The time spent together will help our team gain a deeper understanding and insight about your program and community’s needs.
 

This training explains the different types of protective orders, how they work, and how they can be utilized to improve survivor safety and to prevent future violence. This workshop also discusses the changes and additions made to protective orders as mandated in the last legislative session. This presentation will cover Family Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking, Trafficking Protective Orders, and Emergency Protective Orders.
 

In this training, learn about two forms of short-term protection for survivors of violence: a Magistrate’s Order for Emergency Protection (commonly known as Emergency Protective Order or EPO) and a Temporary Ex-Parte Protective Order. The presentation provides details on the legal standards that must be met and circumstances under which each order can be obtained, as well as the protections afforded by the orders. Travis County’s Model EPO Program is also discussed.
 

In this workshop, we will identify how trauma affects survivors of sexual assault and the way they respond and report the crime. We will explore different civil legal remedies available to survivors of sexual assault including housing protections, protective orders, financial remedies, and campus response. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the laws governing consent and crimes including sexual assault and sexual harassment.
 

Intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and stalking impact victims in many aspects of their lives, including housing, employment, and pursuit of education. As victims exercise their legal options, they will encounter multiple criminal and civil systems. This presentation will help advocates and other professionals to better understand the potential for re-traumatization as survivors navigate through the systems, and provides guidance on offering empowerment-based, survivor-centered advocacy.
 

In an age when it is easier than ever for abusers to use technology and communication tools to control, stalk, and harass victims, it is important for community members to understand what stalking behaviors look like and how the law defines these crimes. In this training we will identify the legal and social remedies available to protect survivors and discuss practices for safety planning around technology.
 

This training is geared toward program advocates to help survivors navigate Texas Advocacy Project’s Assisted Pro Se (APS) services. Through APS, survivors working with advocates can receive customized legal documents and ongoing legal advice as they represent themselves in court proceedings for divorces, protective orders, or custody and visitation suits.
 

This training will help legal advocates understand their role and the boundaries within their position. Advocates will gain knowledge on how to navigate clients through the civil and criminal justice systems while providing advocacy and support.
 

Family law matters are one of the greatest unmet legal needs nationwide. Many survivors experiencing financial abuse don’t have access to the funds that show up on paper, disqualifying them for legal services. This institutionalized economic revictimization further marginalizes this group. This workshop will explore our best practices along with national resources (from the American Bar Association & Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System) that participants can take home in the hopes of expanding use of unbundled legal services for victims of abuse in their communities.
 

This session will give an overview of the laws that affect interstate child custody and child support orders. Learn about the jurisdictional issues that affect these cases, and creative ways attorneys can help their clients. The presentation will also address how these laws can be utilized to protect survivors of intimate partner violence who are fleeing their abuser.
 

Society is changing how we look at intimate partner violence and the law is catching up! We will update you on how “ripped from the headlines” topics like #MeToo, Time’s Up, Dirty John, Surviving R. Kelly, and the suicide of Conrad Roy/conviction of Michelle Carter can impact best practices for serving victims of abuse. We will fill you in on what you need to know about the latest development in laws related to coercion, free will, and consent, and the innovative solutions that these cases have inspired for victims of bullying, emotional abuse, sexual harassment, and sexual assault.
 

It is imperative that legal services are easily accessible for survivors, now more than ever. Virtual Legal Clinics are an innovative solution, providing safety and confidentiality while ensuring survivors are able to receive the highest level of services. In this training, we will discuss what a Virtual Legal Clinic is, what software is needed, and how to begin referring survivors.
 

This training addresses the importance of establishing and enhancing a coordinated community response to intimate partner violence and sexual assault that includes both military and civilians, which is vital in promoting a message in communities that violence is not acceptable and offenders will be held accountable. Although both cultures vary greatly, collaboration between systems can create a more uniform response to violence. This presentation walks through examples of how collaboration has increased in Texas and how to replicate the collaboration model in your community. Coordinated community response models will include active duty, reserves, and veteran’s options. This training is available to all levels of experience.
 

Veteran Treatment Courts provide invaluable resources and treatment for veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Traumatic Brain Injury, and other mental health issues as a result of their service. It is becoming more common for intimate partner violence to be accepted into these courts. This workshop will focus on best practices for accepting these cases into Veteran Treatment Courts (VTCs), consideration of survivors through this process, and national and state resources.
 

Many patients have legal issues which impede their ability to achieve optimal health outcomes. Civil legal services break down these barriers through protective order applications, divorce/custody petitions, crime victims' compensation, and more to allow patients to fully pursue the healthcare plans set out by their providers. This training will provide knowledge to medical professionals about the value of implementing a Medical-Legal Partnership that will provide physicians with resources to address health care barriers for patients. In addition, the training will help physicians and support teams to understand the variety of remedies available to patients.
 

In this workshop, attendees will learn about the prevalence of intimate partner violence against pre and postnatal mothers and legal remedies that will address social determinants of health. Through partnerships with legal aid organizations, healthcare professionals can ensure that patients are provided legal options that could prevent future intimate partner violence and possible child abuse. Both the legal and medical systems are vital to the health of our society, but when combined, are immensely important in fighting and preventing domestic violence as a public health crisis.
 

This workshop will address the hurdles that LGBTQIA+ parents and children may face in suits affecting the parent-child relationship. We will discuss current case law and portions of the Texas Family Code that affect these families, as well as best practices to employ when advocating for LGBTQIA+ clients.
 

A critical look into the criminology of perpetrators of mass shootings is needed to prevent these crimes from happening. In this workshop, presenters will take a deep dive into a case study of recent mass shootings, identify red flags, and discuss current laws. Attendees will examine federal and state laws that may provide loopholes for these offenders to slip through the cracks and will learn how our communities can collaborate effectively to identify high-risk offenders, create firearm surrender protocols, and secure protections for survivors.
 

This training is designed to equip you with the tools necessary to spot and act when domestic violence has impacted someone in your workplace. This training will teach you intersections of intimate partner violence and the workplace, motivations and characteristics of an abuser, effects of abuse on survivors, barriers to leaving abusive relationships, what you can do to support a survivor, and how TAP can help. This training is designed for anyone who works with employees or clients on a daily basis.