In their continuing series on women’s experiences with sexual and domestic violence, BWJP is offering a webinar October 7th from 4-5:30 ET: Safety Planning with Victims of Abuse in Later Life. Participation is free, but registration closes on October 5th, so make sure to plan ahead for this one. Although it does not specifically mention healthcare professionals as a target audience, this is a topic near and dear to our hearts, and I am going to assume there will be some great info coming out of this session.
From the site:
Speakers: Bonnie Brandl, Director of the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL), a project of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WCADV) and TA Provider for the OVW Elder Abuse Grants Program. Carol Tryon, Geriatric social worker with Human Options. Developed Safe Options for Seniors, a program to meet the needs of older battered women and victims of elder abuse. A member of the Orange County Elder Abuse Forensic Center, and a consultant to the Orange County Financial Abuse Specialist Team (FAST). Shell Schwartz, Manager for Disability Services ASAP (A Safety Awareness Program) of SafePlace. Shell’s work is informed by over 20 years of professional and personal experiences advocating for the rights to treatment and access to victim services people with physical, cognitive and mental health disabilities. Cema Mastroleo, Disability Services ASAP Educator and Supervisor, as well as the Deaf Services Program Supervisor at SafePlace. Cema has 30 years experience working with children and adults with disabilities in both the United States and in Brazil, and for the past 12 years, she has provided personal safety, healthy relationship and sexuality education to people with disabilities. Hosted by: Barbara Hart, J.D. Muskie School of Public Service and Battered Women’s Justice Project.
Content: This interactive webinar will engage participants in critical thinking regarding:
- Risks of violence and abuse for victims in later life targeted by intimate partners, caregivers and adult children will be examined by participants.
- Safety planning for victims of abuse in later life.
As a result of this webinar, participants will be better able to assess the needs of older survivors who seek advocacy, shelter and legal services. Participants will reflect on approaches to identify: the range and severity of abuse or violence inflicted on older survivors; the immediate and long-term risks that the abuse poses; the barriers to victim access to essential advocacy and services; the nature of any specific assistance required related to physical or mental disabilities; allies of the victim, current and potential; imminent health problems and care essential; preferred outcomes of the survivor; resources available to the survivor apart from the services provided by the participant program. Participants will also consider the unique privacy and safety issues confronted by victims of abuse in later life.