In this Bell Work Talks Paul Thomas Clements discusses a basic introduction to 1) gang code of commitment and 2) various gang levels of membership and implications of both for healthcare providers.

Dr. Paul Thomas Clements is a forensic psychiatric clinical specialist, a Certified Gang Specialist, and Certified in Danger Assessment. Clements has provided hospital consultation for EMT’s, Child Protective Agency personnel, trauma/emergency nurses, psychiatric providers, hospital systems, and corporate executives. Clements has three edited textbooks: Violence against women: Contemporary examination of intimate partner violence, Mental health issues in child maltreatment, and Nursing approach to the evaluation of child maltreatment. Additionally, he has numerous peer review publications and conference presentations regarding stress, trauma, violence and aggression, coping after a violent death, safety promotion, and exposure to interpersonal violence and crime. Clements holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Forensic Psychiatric Nursing from The University of Pennsylvania with research and clinical practice that has examined the traumatic presentations and behaviors of victims, including a focus on children, exposed to the homicide. Clements was an inaugural Associate Editor of the Journal of Forensic Nursing from 2005-2012. Clements was recently inducted as a Distinguished Fellow in the Academy of Forensic Nurses.

Resources:

Clements, P.T., & Akiyama, C. (2011), Youth gangs: Reasons for concern. Journal of Forensic Nursing, 7(3), 105-107

Clements, P.T. SAGE Publications, LTD.  SAGE Video Collection – NURSING. Gangs 101 for Healthcare Professionals. (April 2019).

Forster, M., Grigsby, T.J., Unger, J.B., & Sussman, S (2015). Associations between gun violence, exposure, gang associations, and youth aggression: Implications for prevention and intervention programs.  Journal of Criminology. Available from https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jcrim/2015/963750/

Episode 18: GANGS 101:  The 3 R's and Gang Member Levels

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 Work Talks, Dr. Mark Greene interviews Eric Martin, both of NIJ, about a recent NIJ Journal article regarding the offending patterns of serial violent offenders and how investigating and closing cold cases can apprehend these offenders and prevent future victimization. They discuss the benefits of using advanced investigative methods on all crimes, particularly burglaries, due to the offending progression taken by many serial violent offenders.  It will also discuss factors that lead to the solving difficult cold cases.

Mr. Martin is a social science analyst with the National Institute of Justice, the research, development and evaluation arm of the U.S. Department of Justice.  NIJ’s mission is to assist state, local and tribal criminal justice agencies with research to inform effective policies and practices.  Mr. Martin supports research on policing, corrections and the forensic sciences.  Prior to coming to NIJ, Mr. Martin was a crime analyst with the DC Metropolitan Police Department.

Resources:

NIJ Journal Article: NIJ Journal Issue 282 | National Institute of Justice (ojp.gov)

NIJ website: Home | National Institute of Justice (ojp.gov)

NIJ NamUs: Justice Department Fights for the Missing | Office of Justice Programs (ojp.gov)

MSU Research on Serial Sexual Offenders: Serial Sexual Assaults: A Longitudinal Examination of Offending Patterns Using DNA Evidence (ojp.gov)

National Criminal Justice Reference Service: New OJP Resources | Office of Justice Programs

 Serial Killer Connections Through Cold Cases | National Institute of Justice (ojp.gov)

Episode 23: Serial Killer Connects through Cold Cases

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 podcast, Drs. Holt and Clements examine the related factors toward this increase risk for IPV occur during pregnancy, including the increased stress and potential for loss of control after the birth.  Additionally, they explore what can we do as nurses and other direct providers to enhance assessment and promote safety.  Ultimately, the most critically important first step is to screen for violence during interface with any pregnant person.  44% of all women in the United States report experiencing unwanted sexual contact. However, in spite of this significantly high rate, currently, only 16% of nurses report regularly screening for violence. 

The CDC’s national and annual examinations of pregnancy and homicide have been lauded by public health experts for recognizing this pervasively overlooked phenomenon. Dovetailing with the Healthy People 2030 objective/target regarding the reduction of physical abuse of assaults by a current or former intimate partner for people aged 12 years or older (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 2020,  it is imperative for nurses and other care providers to expand their awareness of this often overlooked group in significant need for targeted and consistent assessment and referral.

Dr. Karyn Holt is a Professor in Residence at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the School of Nursing. She is an Advanced Practice Nurse in the field of nurse midwifery (CNM) earning her Masters in Nursing with a specialization in Nurse Midwifery at Georgetown University and her Doctor of Philosophy degree from Touro University, New York.

Holt spent the first part of her nurse midwifery career delivering over 1000 newborns while in the Air Force. While serving in the Air Force, she began teaching in the maternal child arena within higher education and developed a passion for playing a part in assisting in students’ educational endeavors as well as her obstetric midwifery practice. She shares many stories about these times.

Dr. Paul Thomas Clements is a forensic psychiatric clinical specialist, and Certified in Danger Assessment. Clements has provided hospital consultation for EMT’s, Child Protective Agency personnel, trauma/emergency nurses, psychiatric providers, hospital systems, and corporate executives - each regarding vulnerability risk assessment, bullying, and decreasing the number of violent incidents
in the workplace.

Clements has three edited textbooks, including: Violence against women: Contemporary examination of intimate partner violence (co-authored with Dr. Holt) and he has numerous peer review publications and conference presentations. Clements has also spent time in Bolivia, working with provincial judges, prosecutors and forensic psychologists regarding enhanced assessment and intervention with children victimized by sexual aggression and other forms of violence.

Resources:

RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network)   the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization, helps survivors recover through the National Sexual Assault Hotline   (1-800-656-HOPE or 4673) and the Department of Defense (DoD) Safe Helpline (877-995-5247).

Episode 34: Assessment of Interpersonal Violence (IPV) and Pregnancy-Related Homicide Risk

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 Bell Work Talk, Dr. Clements and Ms. Varto will discuss that it is important to continually educate forensic nurses with evolving forensic nursing science, as forensic nursing now approaches being a formally established specialty for 30 years (American Nurses Association recognized Forensic Nursing as a specialty in 1995), it is additionally incumbent for our members to educate others, both interprofessionally and intraprofessionally. As the unique base of forensic nursing science continues to expand, it is critically important for our professional members to share that information to enhance nursing care to both victims and offenders across all settings – not just those settings that may be specifically or directly considered to be “forensic” in nature.  This podcast provides several case examples of how forensic nursing knowledge was shared with other healthcare professionals, both intra and inter professionally, in order to heighten awareness toward enhanced and targeted assessment and intervention for patients in healthcare scenarios that may not have necessarily been considered to be acutely forensic, yet, certainly could have medico-legal implications.

Paul Thomas Clements is a forensic psychiatric clinical specialist, a Certified Gang Specialist, and Certified in Danger Assessment. Practicing in the forensic nursing arena for over 30 years, Clements has provided consultation for hospital systems, EMTs, Child Protective Agency personnel, trauma/emergency nurses, psychiatric providers, academic and corporate settings – each regarding vulnerability risk assessment, target-hardening, and decreasing the number of violent incidents in the workplace, as well as bullying and the subsequent sequelae. Clements has provided consultation to public school systems and other child-related agencies related to child abuse assessment, and also related to the aftermath of violence and/or violent death (including homicide of a child and gang-related deaths) for teachers and other classmates. Clements has three upcoming edited textbooks: Gender Violence Across the Spectrum: A Trauma-Informed Approach, Mental Health Issues in Child Maltreatment: A New Perspective, and Violence Against Women: Contemporary Examination of Domestic Violence.  Additionally, he has numerous peer-review publications, and a significant number of conference presentations – nationally and internationally – that address assessment and intervention related to the neurobiology of trauma, interpersonal violence and aggression, coping after a violent death, safety assessment, and exposure to interpersonal violence and crime.

Nurse Practitioner Hannah Varto works in and led the development of Canada’s only outpatient, rapid access specialty clinic providing medical-forensic care to survivors of recent violence. She is an instructor for the local post-secondary forensic health sciences department and a co-investigator in a number of research studies specific to brain injury from head impacts and strangulation in survivors of recent violence.

Episode 49: Translating Forensic Nursing Science to the Larger Healthcare Community

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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