Different Paths, Same Goal: Successfully Navigating the Prosecutor and Survivor Journey
This workshop explores how to bridge communication gaps between Multi-Disciplinary Team members and survivors to improve case outcomes in child maltreatment investigations. By integrating the perspectives of a veteran prosecutor and a survivor-advocate, the session provides practical strategies for trauma-informed collaboration that balances the pursuit of justice with the survivor’s long-term journey.
Suggested Audience: All MDT members
Full Description: Achieving a successful outcome in a child maltreatment case requires the full effort of the Multi-Disciplinary Team with deep consideration of the survivors' journey on the other side. Achieving an outcome where all MDT members feel heard and supported can be impeded when the communication between the different players is complicated or conflicted and the approach is not trauma informed from the start. This workshop incorporates multiple perspectives to provide insight into how best to bridge the gaps between members. Presented by a survivor/advocate who walked through a child advocacy center at 12 years old as the victim in a criminal case, and has worked professionally as part of an MDT, using her journey personally and knowledge professionally hand in hand to shape perspective and enhance case outcomes and a prosecutor who brings knowledge, insight, and empathy established through 20 years of experience working in child maltreatment. This session will discuss the perspectives, roles, and goals of both sides of the case while providing practical strategies into how best to achieve justice for everyone involved.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the different roles of the MDT in preparing and presenting a child maltreatment case, considering the survivors' perspective and the case-long impact of that fact on the outcome.
Gain strategies for better communication between survivors, families, and the court process to elevate response from the survivors' perspective.
Achieve better outcomes for cases by increasing collaboration and consideration of the crucial weight of survivors' experiences and post-case reflections.
Speaker(s): Melanie Barton & Kathleen Nolan
