1A) What I Have Learned from Abusive Men in 35 Years
Presenter: Juan Rodriguez, DVS, Turning Point at People's Place

This workshop offers an in-depth exploration of the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that contribute to men’s abusive and controlling actions. Drawing from 35 years of experience working with men in mandated treatment programs, the facilitator will provide valuable insights into the thought processes and emotional struggles that often underpin abusive behavior. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges these men face, including the significant impact of abusive childhoods and emotional neglect on their current actions. Through open discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage in conversations about the complex dynamics at play in these men’s lives. This session will offer a unique perspective for those seeking to understand the root causes of abusive behavior and the potential for change and healing.

1B) How to Ask for Help
Presenters: Nicole Crespi and Joy Ingram, RAFT (Resilience for Advocates through Foundational Training)

Although advocates constantly offer help and assistance, many of us are averse to asking for assistance for ourselves. This can be problematic, personally and professionally, as none of us exists on an island and at times we all need help. Not asking for help can also hinder our ability to care for our clients, as many of the services we provide are connected to other services, people, and agencies, therefore requiring us to seek the assistance of others. This workshop explores the sources of the aversion to asking for help, the benefits of asking for help, and examines best practices for asking and getting positive results.

1C) Brainstorming Prevention: Conceptualizing Gender-Based Violence as Hate Violence for Prevention Efforts
Presenters: Jennifer Kutney-Soper, Delaware Department of Justice

Is Gender-Based Violence hate violence? This workshop intends to help participants understand what hate violence is generally as well as explore the similarities between gender-based violence and hate violence. At the end, there will be a group discussion on whether viewing gender-based violence as hate violence changes how we engage in prevention efforts.

1D) Minding Our Emotional Business
Presenter: Yolanda Pourciau, Yolanda Speaks, LLC

Many of us find it difficult to accurately identify and manage our stressful emotions. Emotional stress can negatively impact the body, mind, and productivity. Those of use with careers in domestic and sexual violence must be aware of the impacts and learn ways to minimize them. Minding Our Own Emotional Business is designed to help participants manage emotional stress and take full responsibility for their emotional responses. In this training, participants will learn the ABCs of emotional intelligence, the importance of the fight, flight, freeze, fawn response, the role of the brain’s amygdala and our emotions, and practice the relaxation response.

2A) Closing the Gap: How Doulas Can Help Support DV Advocacy
Presenters: Zakiya Machado and Amber Twyne, Black Mothers in Power

Programs integrating doula support have been shown to improve birth outcomes and help to reduce the frequency of repeat intimate partner violence incidents by offering tailored support and connecting victims and survivors with relevant resources. With specialized training in pregnancy and postpartum non-medical support, doulas can provide a bridge between community education, prevention and professional collaboration. During this workshop we’ll address some of the ways doulas support DV clients, highlighting the DV Doula Support Program in Delaware, and brainstorm how we can build relationships and work with other professionals to continue to close the gap and forge ahead.

2B) Therapeutic Writing: Giving Voice & Healing Trauma
Presenters: Robbin Loonan, The College of New Jersey/Private Practice and Samantha Dooley, Morris County Sexual Assault Center

Therapeutic writing/journaling can be a safe way to express and process traumatic memories, particularly for survivors who often find it difficult or impossible to speak about their abuse. Telling one’s story has long been recognized as a tool for healing.This engaging, interactive workshop will introduce participants to the psychological benefits of therapeutic writing, including reducing shame and self- blame, decreasing anxiety and isolation, enhancing coping and resilience, and fostering post-traumatic growth. Through instructive and experiential learning activities, participants will learn specific writing activities that can be effectively incorporated into individual and group therapy.

2C) From Surviving to Thriving: Building Resilient Anti-Violence Workplaces
Presenters: Tatiana Piper and Jackie Strohm, The SOAR Collective

This interactive workshop builds on the plenary session by acknowledging the realities and challenges of the anti-violence movement while shifting the focus toward cultivating thriving and sustainable workplaces. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their personal experiences, collaborate and brainstorm changes they would like to see, and develop actionable strategies for creating thriving organizations and supportive environments within their communities.

3A) Effective Co-Parenting through Intimate Partner Abuse
Presenter: Edward Bell, DVS

One of the most challenging aspects of intimate relationships is when a parent experiences a difficult break up with their child's other parent. They still must find a way to effectively transition from the former intimate, romantic relationship they had with their child's other parent to the civil, business-like relationship they will need to develop and maintain for effective co-parenting to take place. In this workshop, participants will gain awareness of strategies intended to help with reducing or eliminating co-parent conflict while working to preserve a healthy parent-child relationship for both parents.

3B) Cultivating Resilience: Trauma-Informed Supervision in Action
Presenters: Shannon Fisch and Kiera McGillivray, Children and Families First

Brain science reveals that life experiences shape how we navigate stress and challenges. For advocates and providers, supporting survivors’ healing often comes at the cost of personal well-being, leading to compassion fatigue and high turnover in the sector. This workshop equips supervisors with actionable trauma-informed practices to foster resilience, trust, and growth within their teams. Participants will explore the connection between personal and professional experiences, learn to address vicarious trauma, and integrate strategies into daily supervision.

3C) Students as Teachers: Lessons Learned from Youth through School-Based Prevention Programming
Presenters: Katie Miller and Sierra Webb, Turning Point at People’s Place

With one in three teens in the US experiencing dating violence, societal norms continue limiting beliefs around the severity of this issue. Primary prevention works to stop this violence before it happens through education, awareness, and advocacy. This involves meeting students where they’re at—particularly in their classrooms —and helping the adults in their lives feel comfortable having candid conversations about healthy relationships. In this workshop, presenters will discuss their strategies for providing youth-centered primary prevention programming, explore qualitative data from DE students about their attitudes toward teen dating violence, and identify barriers to develop solutions to provide prevention education in schools.

3D) Equity in Action: The Power of Inclusive Advocacy
Presenter: Neisha C. Himes, Consultant

Survivors from marginalized communities often face barriers that silence their voices and limit access to support. This workshop dives into the heart of inclusive advocacy, exploring how we can break down these barriers and create meaningful change. Through open dialogue and practical strategies, participants will learn how to uplift survivors and build equity into every step of the advocacy process. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to build a more inclusive and equitable system—one that ensures every survivor, no matter their background, receives the justice and support they deserve.

4A) Healing from Urgency Culture: Creating a Sustainable Organizational Environment
Presenters: Joy Ingram and Jeremie Miller, RAFT (Resilience for Advocates through Foundational Training)

RAFT’s Healing from Urgency Culture workshop is a transformative experience designed for leaders and teams looking to break free from the pressures of constant hustle and reactive work environments. This interactive session explores the roots of urgency culture, its impact on individuals and organizations, and provides actionable strategies to foster a more sustainable, human-centered workplace. Participants will leave equipped with tools to prioritize effectively, set realistic goals, and create space for innovation and well-being. Let’s shift the focus from “doing it all now” to “doing it right.”

4B) The Real Deal: Context from listening sessions with Black women living with HIV
Presenters: Diane Granberry and Robin Pereira, National Network to End Domestic Violence

Black women living with HIV who are survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) face unique challenges when navigating healthcare. Stigma and trauma exacerbate these barriers and can put their health and safety at risk. It is critical that advocates implement trauma-informed care to avoid re-traumatization and foster healing. This workshop addresses the intersection of HIV and IPV, trauma’s impact, and how to implement culturally-sensitive supportive practices. Insights from listening sessions with Black women living with HIV who have experienced IPV will be shared, highlighting their experiences interacting with HIV and IPV community organizations.

4C) Building Bridges: Mapping Pathways to a World Without Violence
Presenters: Rev. Dr. Pamela Adams and Ms. Rona Harris, Faithful and Favored

This workshop aims to bring together diverse perspectives and strategies to explore and map the pathways towards creating a world free from violence. Participants will engage in collaborative discussions and activities designed to identify root causes of violence, examine existing systems of conflict resolution, and develop actionable solutions. Through a combination of storytelling, group exercises, and expert insights, the workshop fosters a deeper understanding of the social, political, and psychological factors that contribute to violence. Attendees will leave with a strengthened commitment to peacebuilding, a toolkit for fostering nonviolent communication, and a network of like-minded individuals working towards a shared goal of creating safer, more just communities.

5A) “The Aftermath”: Recovering from Trauma
Presenter: Kiera Pritchett, LMSW, Before & Afterthought Life Coaching

This workshop will give a quick review on psychoeducation on trauma and how it affects the brain and body. The focus is on keys to recover from trauma through awareness, effective communication and coping skills that meet the individual’s needs. Individuals having a fresh perspective on what it is to regain control and heal in life can spend more time coping than remaining in a hurtful state when they are coached on the road to recovery.

5B) Housing Innovations for Survivors in Delaware
Presenter: Elena Hampton-Stover, National Network to End Domestic Violence

This session will explore the intersection of domestic violence with homelessness and housing affordability. Innovative and promising practices to building permanent housing stability for survivors applied in varying local contexts will be highlighted, and participants will develop ideas for applicable next steps in their communities to increase meaningful access to housing resources for survivors.

5C) Deepening Our Economic Justice Work
Presenter: Kim Pentico, National Network to End Domestic Violence

This interactive workshop offers participants a valuable opportunity to explore the historical roots of economic justice policies and reflect on their own roles in fostering equity. Through guided discussions and self-reflection, participants will gain insight into how their daily work intersects with both individual and systemic advocacy efforts, as well as the broader impact of public policy on economic justice. The session will invite attendees to examine their personal life experiences and how these connect to patterns of historical oppression. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how their work relates to intimate partner violence and economic justice advocacy while gaining actionable tools to enhance their own financial wellness. Join us for a transformative session designed to empower individuals to take meaningful steps toward economic justice and equity.