I have been given the great honor of speaking at the Women’s Graduate Breakfast at the 2012 FBI NAA Training Conference in Dallas.   For a few hours, I will have a chance to share my story and the plight of the victims movement, with an audience comprised of high-ranking law enforcement officials, who have all dedicated their lives and careers to public safety and upholding the law.  I am humbled by the request.

In past presentations, I often focus on sensitivity training and the integral role that ‘first responders’ play in the victim’s recovery process.   They find us at our most vulnerable moments, usually in a state of shock and denial; we immediately place so much faith and trust in them, often without question.  They are the first faces we see, and subsequently setting the tone for the entire journey – negatively or positively.  I don’t think it occurs to law enforcement personnel how much they can impact the way a victim/survivor reacts and responds to the judicial system, in those first few minutes of contact.

I have always been an advocate for treating victims/survivors with dignity; giving them the respect they deserve, including communicating honestly and swiftly about their case and court proceedings.  In doing so, victims/survivors will be left feeling more trusting and more confident in the criminal justice system.  To do otherwise, only causes more harm.

As I understand it, law enforcement professionals are trained on how to deal with suspects, not victims; therefore using similar communication styles, which as you can imagine are not victim-friendly.

We need to educate and empower the guardians of our safety, how to take that one step further, to become the guardian of our healing as well.

What would you say if you could speak to a room full of police officers, detectives, and attorney’s?  I would love your input as I prepare my speech.

Comment here, or send me an email at my website.

Thank you in advance for your contribution and committment to the victims movement.