In this Bell Work Talks Debra Holbrook  discusses the  elements required to seek legal asylum based on torture and/or persecution and assure chronic forensic medical evidentiary evaluation to these persons. As Forensic Programs that traditionally see victims of sexual assault become more integrated in caring for all forms of violence this podcast  will assure understanding of how and why chronic evaluations for legal immigration, asylum, T and U Visa examinations are often critical components of creating a comprehensive body of evidence. Participants will review the affidavit preparation and referral process for these foreign nation victims of abuse.

Mrs. Holbrook attended The Union Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, in Baltimore, Maryland and completed both undergrad and graduate studies through the Wilmington University.  After working in the field of critical care, Mrs. Holbrook founded a Forensic Nurse Examiner Program in Delaware that became a model of the United States (US Senate Subcommittee / Biden, 2002).

In 2002 she testified on Capital Hill before a Senate Judicial Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs on behalf of the Bill that was signed into law in 2005 as the DNA Justice Act. She is the recipient of numerous international awards, including the ANCC Magnet International Nurse of the Year, the Delaware Nurse of the year, the International Association of Forensic Nurses Pioneer Award, the 2014 Most Influential Marylanders in Healthcare, Distinguished Fellow – Academy of Forensic Nursing, and the prestigious Fellow American Academy of Nursing.  She has authored grants totaling over 15 million dollars to benefit victims of major person’s crimes and lectures nationally for the Office for Victims of Crime, educating medical professionals across the country. She has conducted over 200 pediatric and adult SANE educational offerings both nationally and internationally.

Episode 22: Forensic Evaluation of Victims Seeking Legal Asylum

In this Bell Works Talk, Executive Director, Scott Henderson, discusses the history and evolution of National DEC.  Scott also discusses National DEC's updated mission and vision statement, as well as National DEC's new definition.  Scott discusses how the DEC Approach is being used across the United States, as well as new tools, apps, and other resources that National DEC has to offer.

Lt. (Ret.) Eric Nation, discusses the importance law enforcement involvement in the DEC mission, as well the positive impact the DEC mission has on children, families, and communities.   Eric also discusses the importance and the connection of having Law Enforcement and Forensic Nurses as part of a collaborative DEC alliance.  Eric discusses the importance of early identification of drug endangered children, as well as the importance of a DEC Alliance.

Stacee Read, BA, MSW, discusses the importance of child welfare involvement in the DEC mission, as well as the importance of the DEC mission for communities and disciplines.  Stacee also discusses the importance of collaboration and connection of having Child Welfare and Forensic Nurses as part of a local DEC Alliance.  Stacee discusses the scope of the DEC problem, understanding what community members and professionals should be looking for and who to contact.  Stacee shares about the National DEC Roadmap and Toolkit and how it is used in  developing DEC Alliances by using awareness, implementation, and institutionalization.  Stacee shares the trainings offered by the National DEC.  Stacee wraps things up with the partnership between National DEC and the Academy of Forensic Nursing and the importance of this partnership to being successful.

Scott Henderson, National DEC Executive Director.  Scott joined National DEC on February 24, 2020, as a full-time Executive Director. He brings 21 years of nonprofit executive leadership experience to the organization. For fifteen years he served as the executive director for organizations that provided experiential education, leadership development and developed partnerships with organizations serving children and youth at risk. For the next five years, he served organizations in the transition leading strategic planning, board and staff development and clarifying mission, vision, and service.

Stacee starting working for National DEC as a consultant in November 2011 and then was hired as the Director of DEC Network Development in May 2013.  She is responsible for the development and oversight of State and Tribal DEC Alliances, and she provides technical assistance to National DEC network. Stacee is also an integral member of the training team and has participated in curriculum, online training, and publication development.   Additionally, she has trained thousands of professionals on topics involving child welfare issues, collaboration and multidisciplinary teams, evidence/information collection, local alliance development, and other specific drug issues.

Lieutenant (Retired) Eric Nation began his career in law enforcement in 1994 where he has held numerous positions, Correctional Officer, Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff, Lieutenant Deputy Sheriff, as was as 6 years in a undercover narcotics unit and then was Commander of that unit for 5 years.

Resources:

Be sure to visit our website at www.nationaldec.org for current information, resources, publications, and more to assist you! And please contact use anytime at info@nationaldec.org.

Episode 24: Forensic Nursing and Drug Endangered Children (DEC)

In this episode, Dr. Faugno discusses how an occupational therapist can help in the identification and inform treatment for non-fatal strangulate victims’ lives who have been unjustly disrupted by traumatic events.

Dr. Rebecca Faugno is an occupational therapist who has a vested interest in recent developments within the domestic violence populations and how OT can be an integral part of the recognition and treatment of trauma experiences. 

As an occupational therapist, Dr. Faugno holds insight into the assessment and treatment of neurological, social-emotional, psychological, and physical aspects that affect meaningful occupations in our lives and those roles and responsibilities that get unjustly disrupted after traumatic events. 

Dr. Faugno has worked with patients with acquired brain injury and find that each individual’s effects on their lives are not only unique but the lasting neurological and neuromuscular effects present differently depending upon where the injury manifested and the duration of time the brain went without oxygen. She is an active follower of the strangulation institute and keeps current with developments and research on the studies of neurological conditions impacted by nonfatal strangulation. 

Resources:

The effects of intimate partner violence and probable traumatic brain injury on central nervous system symptoms. Journal of Women’s Health - https://doi.org/10.1089/jwh.2016.6311

Faugno, D. Interview with forensic nurse examiner and author Diana Faugno [personal interview]. June 4, 2021.

Domestic violence and nonfatal strangulation assessment: For health care providers and first responders. STM Learning, Inc.

Enhancing independence in women experiencing domestic violence and possible brain injury. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, 20(1), 49-79. DOI: 10.1300/J004v20n01_03

Occupational therapy’s role with victims of domestic violence: Assessment and intervention. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health, https://doi.org/10.1300/J004v16n03_04
  
Traumatic brain injury and PTSD symptoms as a consequence of intimate partner violence. Comprehensive Psychiatry, https://doi-org.prx-usa.lirn.net/10.1016/j.comppsych.2017.01.007

Occupational Needs and Goals of Survivors of Domestic Violence. Occupational Therapy In Health Care, https://doi.org/10.3109/07380577.2015.1109741

Traumatic brain injury in intimate partner violence: A critical review of outcomes and mechanisms. Trauma, Violence & Abuse, https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838011404251

Knowledge and perspectives of domestic violence service providers about survivors with mental health disability. Journal of Family Violence. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-019-00053-3

Intimate Partner Violence, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Social Work: Moving Forward. Social Work,. Retrieved from
http://search.ebscohost.com.prx-usa.lirn.net/login.aspx?direct=true&db=edsgao&AN=edsgcl.544223479&site=eds-live

Provider perceptions and domestic violence (DV) survivor experiences of traumatic and anoxic-hypoxic brain injury: Implications for DV advocacy service provision. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2019.1591562

The Case for Mandatory Training on Screening for Domestic Violence in the Wake of the Affordable Care Act. 17, 28. Patton F.J. (2017). Domestic violence, concussion injuries, and the imaging professional’s role in identifying traumatic brain injury. Radiologic Technology. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com.prx-usa.lirn.net/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=124995454&site=eds-live

Unilateral anoxic brain injury secondary to strangulation identified on conventional and arterial spin-labeled perfusion imaging. Radiology Case Reports,  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radcr.2018.02.004

Non-fatal strangulation: in physical and sexual assault [Handout]. Produced on behalf of the © Faculty of Forensic & Legal Medicine (FFLM) for HOPE International.

The Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention Alliance.

Episode 39: Occupational Therapy: Treatment of non-fatal strangulation anoxic brain injury

In this episode, Dr Thimsen describes the prevalence and incidence of forced organ harvesting that is occurring around the world. She describes how human rights and ethical violations are taking place against spiritual followers, based on their beliefs. Join us to learn about the crime against humanity and what you can do to respond.

Dr Kathleen Thimsen has demonstrated her expertise, leadership, and dedication in the successful implementation of action-focused research projects focused on specialty populations over the course of her career. 

She has also been a pioneer in advancing forensic nursing and has a research and clinical consulting practice in elder abuse, neglect, and homicide investigations nationally. 

Dr Thimsen is an Associate Professor of Nursing and Director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program for the School of Nursing at University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Episode 40: Forced Organ Harvesting: An evolving issue for Forensic Nurses

In this Bell Work Talk, Kory will talk about addiction and how it is a very stigmatized disease. Before we can start to treat patients with addictions, we must first learn how it works and why our patients act the way they do.  In this podcast, I will define addiction, the neurobiology of addiction, discuss a new concept of brain failure and also discuss cravings that addiction causes.

Kory Scheideman is an Emergency Department nurse that has been in the emergency world for over 18 years as a nurse, and prior to that an EMT/Fire Fighter for 5 years.  For the last 6 years, Kory has helped develop an ALTO program, Medication Assisted Treatment program in 6 different Emergency Departments.  He also is an active community member and sits on the Northern Colorado Harm Reduction Alliance, Northern Colorado Collaborative for Addiction and Recovery Supports, and the Colorado Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) Quality, Safety and Injury Prevention Committee Chair. He was recently awarded a “Rethinking Addiction and Recovery Event” Award and the Colorado ENA Inspire award in 2023 for his work in the community and the Colorado ENA. Kory was also inducted in the Academy of Emergency Nurses earlier this month for the work with addiction medicine among Emergency Nurses Association and community. Kory is also engaged with the Naloxone Project as a Nurse Leader.

Resources:

How Addiction Changes the Brain - Changing Minds
https://changingmindslarimer.org/how-addiction-changes-the-brain/
 
Opioid Safety - Colorado Hospital Association (cha.com)
https://cha.com/opioid-safety/

The Naloxone Project
https://www.naloxoneproject.com/

Survey:

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Episode 57: Defining Addiction

In this Bell Work Talk, we talk about Forensic Nursing in Switzerland. History, current situation and an outlook into the future.

-	Hints on how to implement Forensic Nursing
-	The importance of Networking to implement Forensic Nursing
-	Obstacles in implementing a new nursing specification
-	Get an overview how Forensic Nursing is developing in Switzerland or other European countries

My name is Dominice, I am 40 years old and I work as a Forensic Nurse since two years at the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Zurich. Since April we have a project at the Canton of Zurich where hospital emergency room staff can call us Forensic Nurses when they have people affected by sexual or domestic violence. We Forensic Nurses go out into the hospitals to document injuries, do DNA-swabs and talk with the people affected about next steps that can be done, mostly connect them to victim counselors. In Europe there is the “Istanbul Convention” who needs to be realized by the countries who signed the Convention. Goal of the convention is, to bring better support for victims of domestic or sexual violence. Switzerland has developed an Action Plan to implement the goals of the Istanbul Convention over the next few years. Forensic Nurses are or can be part of the plan. Forensic Nursing itself is relatively new in Switzerland and there are not a lot of possibilities to work as a FN in Switzerland at the moment. But we are working on it.

Survey:
We’d really like to learn more about what you think of the podcast, and what you’d like to hear in future episodes. 
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(EXPLICIT CONTENT WARNING)

Episode 61: Forensic Nursing in Switzerland

In this Bell Work Talk, Nancy Blaney and Claire Coughlin of the Animal Welfare Institute will discuss the connection between human and animal welfare and implications for the practice of Forensic Nursing. By incorporating questions about animals into their work, practitioners can identify people and pets at risk, positively impact service engagement, and make the most of available resources.

Claire Coughlin: Claire Coughlin (she/her) has a master’s degree in human development and family studies and extensive experience in both social services and animal advocacy. For over a decade, she specialized in evidence-based education and support services for children and families impacted by abuse and neglect. She now serves as the director of the Companion Animals Program for the Animal Welfare Institute (AWI) and oversees AWI’s work on the link between animal maltreatment and human violence, including the Safe Havens for Pets program which supports domestic violence survivors with pets.

Nancy Blaney has advocated on behalf of animals for more than 40 years and is currently Director of Government Affairs at the Animal Welfare Institute. She works with federal and state legislators and regulators, the law enforcement community, veterinarians, and other stakeholder groups to improve animal welfare, the prosecution of animal cruelty crimes, and public awareness of the relationship between animal abuse and other forms of violence, particularly all forms of family violence. Nancy serves on a variety of advisory bodies and has co-authored several articles and chapters.

Resources:

Including Pets in Orders of Protection (State-Specific Guides): https://awionline.org/content/including-pets-protection-orders 

Safety Planning for People with Pets: https://awionline.org/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/AWI-Safety-Planning-Pets.pdf 

Safety Planning for People with Pets (Spanish): https://awionline.org/sites/default/files/uploads/documents/AWI-Safety-Planning-Pets-Spanish.pdf

Searchable Database of Safe Havens (shelters and other services that help get people and pets to safety)
https://awionline.org/content/safe-havens-pets 

Survey:

We’d really like to learn more about what you think of the podcast, and what you’d like to hear in future episodes. 

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We’d be interested to hear practitioners’ experiences with patients whose abusers have harmed or threatened to harm their pets and what it was like getting everyone to safety; what resources did they have access to, what obstacles did they face?

Episode 67: Conversations with Patients: Integrating Pet-Related Questions and Resources

Joanne L. Davis, Ph.D. is a Professor of Psychology at The University of Tulsa, Director of the Trauma Research: Assessment, Prevention, and Treatment Center, and Co-Director of The University of Tulsa Institute of Trauma, Adversity, and Injustice.  Dr. Davis’ research focuses on the treatment of nightmares and sleep problems in trauma-exposed individuals as well as on prevention efforts to impact the prevalence and impact of interpersonal trauma.  She is the developer of a cognitive behavioral treatment targeting nightmares and sleep problems, Exposure, Relaxation, and Rescripting Therapy, and has conducted research to evaluate its efficacy for the past 18 years. She is a trainer for the Army Medical Education Division for treatment approaches for insomnia and nightmares. 

Davis, J.L. (2009). Treating post-trauma nightmares: A Cognitive Behavioral Approach. Springer Publishing Company.

Episode 4: Sweet Dreams: Treating Trauma-Related Nightmares

In this Bell Work Talks, Dr. Rheingold discusses the unique consequences of losing a loved one to homicide. She describes the grief course of traumatic loss and potential mental health outcomes associated with loss by homicide. Dr. Rheingold shares her thoughts on approaches that may assist traumatically bereaved manage their loss and find life with new meaning and purpose.

Dr. Alyssa A. Rheingold is a licensed clinical psychologist and Professor at the National Crime Victim's Research and Treatment Center (NCVC) within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Medical University of South Carolina. She is the Associate Director of Administration and Director of Clinical Operations at the NCVC. In addition, Dr. Rheingold is the Co-Director of the Preparedness, Response & Recovery Division of the National Mass Violence Resource Center. Her expertise includes evidence-based treatment of trauma related mental health issues, grief and loss, and traumatic loss by homicide. Dr. Rheingold is the PI of several federally funded service grants to improve resources for survivors of homicide, domestic violence victims, and underserved victims of crime She was the Co-PI on an OVC AEAP grant to provide ongoing resiliency and recovery services for those impacted by the Charleston Emanuel AME Church shooting and is the PI on an OVC funded grant to develop community response to intra-familial homicide.  Dr. Rheingold has published over 60 peer reviewed articles and book chapters in the area of trauma, bereavement, and victimization. She has provided a number of trainings including Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Loss by Homicide, GRIEF Approach, Traumatic Grief, Impact of Witnessing Domestic Violence, Stress Management, and Prolonged Exposure for PTSD.

Resources: 

Homicide Fact Sheet by the Office of Victims of Crime
https://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw2018/info_flyers/fact_sheets/2018NCVRW_Homicide_508_QC.pdf 

Homicide Co-Victimization by the Center for Victim Research
https://ncvc.dspacedirect.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11990/892/CVR%20Research%20Syntheses_Homicide%20Covictims_Brief.pdf 

National Mass Violence Victimization Resource Center http://www.nmvvrc.org/ 

Death notification online training resource developed by FBI and Penn State
http://www.deathnotification.psu.edu/

Episode 7: Special Considerations of Loss by Homicide

In this Bell Work Talks, Senior Specialist Agent (Retired) Russell W. Strand discusses that contrary to popular belief, sexual assaults committed against males are not an uncommon occurrence. 

In fact, in the military, more victims of sexual violence are male. In civilian world, 1 in 6 boys and men have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime.  1 in 6 is a significant number.  And we need shift our movement to include and to address these complicated needs as male victimization can and does have a profound effect, not only on the victim but on their friends, their families and the people with whom they share love.

Senior Special Agent (Retired) Russell W. Strand, is a co-founder & creative visionary for Strand Squared LLC. As a consultant, educator and trainer, he provides consultation, systems auditing, training, education and assistance to agencies and service providers around the world.

As a career law enforcement professional, trainer, educator, writer, and consultant, Russ has distinguished himself as an integral member of the criminal justice community. 

He began his law enforcement career in 1975 as a military police officer, and then worked as a military police investigator until retiring 22 years later as a senior special agent in the United States Army Criminal Investigations Command. After his first retirement, Russ appointed the Chief of the U.S. Army Military Police Behavioral Sciences Education & Training Division where he worked for 20 years before retiring in 2016.

Russ is widely recognized for his contributions to the field.  He was selected to receive the 2012 End Violence Against Women International Visionary Award in recognition of his impact, vision and leadership in ending violence against women around the world. He was selected by the Secretary of Defense to serve on the Congressionally mandated Response Systems to Adult Sexual Assault as a member of the Comparative Systems Subcommittee.

Russ was inducted into the United States Army Military Police Regimental Hall of Fame.

Russ is unconditionally dedicated to continue his work to build a world that doesn’t currently exist. A world in which every victim of abuse and trauma has confidence in reporting their experience and has a genuine voice that is truly heard.  A world in which all professionals responding to trauma and abuse are properly educated and feel confident in all they do. And a world in which we significantly reduce or eliminate all forms of criminal violence and abuse.

Resources:

https://1in6.org/

https://1in6.org/get-information/bristlecone/about-bristlecone/

https://www.scu.edu/wellness/violence-prevention/male-victims-of-sexual-violence/

https://justiceclearinghouse.com/resource/male-victims-of-sexual-assault-best-practices-for-justice-professionals/

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