A Trauma-Informed Approach: It Starts with YOU!

Format

Individual Presentation

Format

Individual Presentation

Presenters

Laura A. Clary, Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC)Follow
Scott KilpatrickFollow

First Presenter's Institution

GBMC Sexual Assault Forensic Examination, Domestic Violence & Child Protection Program

First Presenter’s Email Address

Lclary@gbmc.org

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Laura Clary is a Registered Nurse, Forensic Nurse Examiner and the Program Director of the GBMC Sexual Assault Forensic Examination, Domestic Violence & Child Protection Program located in Baltimore, Maryland. She has been a nurse for over 16 years, and has experience in emergency, trauma, pediatrics, and forensics. She is certified to care for patients across the lifespan that have been victim of sexual assault, child abuse, intimate partner violence and human trafficking. Mrs. Clary holds National professional certification as a SANE-Adult/Adolescent and SANE-Pediatrics from the International Association of Forensic Nurses. She is an Accredited Forensic Nurse Examiner Instructor in the State of Maryland and has provided training to nurses, physicians, law enforcement, and social workers from all over the country.

Second Presenter's Institution

Baltimore County Police Department

Second Presenter’s Email Address

SKilpatrick@BaltimoreCountymd.gov

Second Presenter's Brief Biography

Scott Kilpatrick is a detective with over 19 years with the Baltimore County Police Department. Detective Kilpatrick is currently assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit and works with victims of sexual abuse and human trafficking. He is a certified instructor and trauma-informed interviewing trainer. Detective Kilpatrick has also been trained in interview and interrogation techniques, identifying deceptive behavior, and forensic interviewing. As part of his training in advocacy for victims, he has participated in numerous comprehensive sexual assault victim advocate training. Detective Kilpatrick also teaches interviewing techniques at the Baltimore County Police Department's academy to current officers looking to hone their skills.

Submitter

I am submitting this proposal as one of the presenter(s)

Location

Sloane

Strand #1

Health: Mental & Physical Health

Strand #2

Hands: Safety & Violence Prevention

Relevance

This workshop presented by a Forensic Nurse and a Detective will provide attendees with information on the importance of neurobiology of trauma and its relationship to investigative strategies, as well as the medical-forensic response to sexual assault and sexual abuse provided in a victim-centered, trauma-informed manner. By understanding the neurobiology and science of the brain, we can prepare law enforcement officers to interact with victims appropriately and conduct better interviews. The presenters will discuss how utilizing a multidisciplinary approach is considered best practice, as it provides a collaborative, victim-centered response to these sensitive crimes by reducing the potential for re-victimization, while also beginning the process of healing both physically and emotionally. This presentation will provide a unique perspective on how these sensitive cases are handled by different disciplines working together.

Brief Program Description

Upwards of 67% of sexual violence victims do not report their victimization to law enforcement. Sexual Assault and abuse remain the most under-reported of crimes. This presentation will provide attendees with information on the neurobiology of trauma and victim-centered investigative strategies, as well as the medical-forensic response to crimes in a victim centered, trauma-informed manner.

Summary

Approximately 1 in 3 females and 1 in 6 males have experienced sexual violence in their lifetime. However, around 67.5% of victims do not report their victimization to law enforcement. This presentation will provide attendees with information on the neurobiology of trauma and investigative strategies to respond to child abuse crimes in a victim centered, trauma informed manner. This interactive lecture will discuss real case studies starting at the reporting and investigative stages through the medical-forensic treatment and long-term follow-up.

The role of law enforcement in these cases is to provide effective response, and trauma informed interviewing to victims of sexual violence and child abuse while simultaneously holding offenders accountable. The role of a Forensic Nurse is providing compassionate, and evidence based medical-forensic care and crisis counseling to Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking and Child Abuse victims. Using a patient-centered approach, nurses attend to victims’ medical needs while expertly documenting and photographing injuries and collecting evidence of crimes and reassuring the child that their body is healthy.

Working in Baltimore, the presenters are very experienced in interacting with diverse populations, ensuring to be sensitive to cultural beliefs and values. Utilizing a multidisciplinary response is considered best practice as it provides a collaborative, victim-centered response to sensitive crimes by reducing the potential for revictimization and begins the process of healing both physically and emotionally. These two presenters have a long history of working together and collaborating on complex cases involving sexual assault, child abuse, and human trafficking, ensuring that victims of all ages receive the best care possible. They have presented on the local, regional, and national stage and enjoy sharing this important information with others working in the field of sexual violence and child abuse.

Evidence

Attendees will be provided with insights into how trauma affects victims and the significance of adopting a trauma-informed approach. By grasping the science behind trauma, they will be better equipped to respond with empathy and sensitivity. They will have the opportunity to learn practical skills that can be directly applied when interacting with victims. Through this comprehensive approach, we aim to empower attendees with the knowledge, skills, and network required to integrate trauma-informed practices and investigative strategies into their daily work.

References:

Sexual Assault Incident Reports: Investigative Strategies. International Association of Chiefs of Police. www.theiacp.org Office of Justice Programs. (2015). SART Toolkit. Retrieved from http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/sartkit/develop/issues-coc.html

Key Ingredients for Successful Trauma-Informed Care Implementation. Center for Health Care Strategies. Retrieved from: https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/programs_campaigns/childrens_mental_health/atc-whitepaper-040616.pdf

Giotakos O. Neurobiology of emotional trauma. Psychiatriki. 2020 Apr-Jun;31(2):162-171. doi: 10.22365/jpsych.2020.312.162. PMID: 32840220.

Understanding Neurobiology of Psychological Trauma. (2017). https://www.pathwaysrtc.pdx.edu/pdf/projPTTP-neurobiology-tip-sheet.pdf

How Trauma Changes the Brain (2022) . Neuroscience News. https://neurosciencenews.com/salience-network-trauma-22026

Learning Objective 1

Discuss how trauma impacts brains activity including memory, reactions, and behaviors.

Learning Objective 2

Utiliz case studies presenters will illustrate how people react differently to trauma in order to understand that no one reaction is "normal".

Learning Objective 3

Develop trauma-informed techniques that put child abuse victims at ease during the investigative, medical-forensic, and multidisciplinary response.

Keyword Descriptors

Trauma-Informed, Gender-Based Violence, Victim-Centered, Detective, Forensic Nurse

Presentation Year

2025

Start Date

3-4-2025 1:00 PM

Recommended Citation

Clary, Laura A. and Kilpatrick, Scott, "A Trauma-Informed Approach: It Starts with YOU!" (2025). National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference. 48.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/nyar_savannah/2025/2025/48