PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Sept. 26, 2024
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us | 605.773.2031
Near Record Number of South Dakotans to be Trained on Child Abuse Prevention
PIERRE, S.D.—With more than 500 South Dakotans attending, the 24th annual Community Response to Child Abuse Conference begins on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.
The attendees representing 130 regional organizations, schools and businesses will hear from national and regional speakers on topics that will help professionals and the public better understand child abuse and strengthen response efforts.
The professional training and educational opportunities are geared toward teachers, medical professionals, school officials, dentists, law enforcement, social workers, mental health providers, youth service providers, the legal community, and other community members and child advocates.
Keynote addresses will include:
- “The Digital Child” presented by Warren Binford, international children’s rights scholar and advocate
- “The Question is How” presented by Sean Covel, film and television producer
- “Understanding Vulnerable Child Syndrome” presented by Suzanne Starling, MD, board certified child abuse pediatrician and professor of pediatrics
Conference participants can choose from multiple breakout session opportunities. Examples of additional learning opportunities include:
- “The Negative Impact of Social Media on Child and Adolescent Mental Health” presented by A. R. Ascano
- “When the Perpetrator is a Child” presented by Warren Binford
- “Family First Prevention: Next Steps” presented by Ashley Schlichenmayer-Okroi
- “Indigenous Approach to Addiction Healing and Mental Health Management” presented by Gene Tyon
Conference hosts are the South Dakota Unified Judicial System’s Court Improvement Program, Child’s Voice at Sanford Health, and Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment at the University of South Dakota. Conference details and registration are available at https://SDCPCM.com/Conference.
—30—
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE AND INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:
8 a.m. CDT on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024: Opening General Session – Warren Binford keynote address, Convention Center Exhibit Hall 2
12:15 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024: Lunch Award Presentation – Presentation of Outstanding Service Award, Convention Center Exhibit Hall 2
Conference co-host representatives will also be available throughout the conference:
- Sara Kelly, South Dakota Unified Judicial System
- Amanda Liebl, Child’s Voice at Sanford Health
- Chrissie Young, Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment
FACTS AND INFORMATION
The individuals attending have dedicated their professional life preventing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Adults with an ACE score of 4 or more are 12.2 times more likely to have attempted suicide and 7.4 times as likely to consider themselves alcoholic.
Approximately 21% of children in South Dakota reported an ACE score of 2 or more.
More than 80% of juvenile justice-involved youth report experiencing trauma.
The average age of a victim when they are first involved in sex trafficking is 12 years old.
Professionals at this conference either work to treat victims of traumatic experiences, investigate harm being done, or work to prosecute those who are causing that harm.
Conference sessions provide continuing education credits so these professionals can relicense and continue to serve populations in need.
About South Dakota Courts: The Unified Judicial System (UJS) consists of the Supreme Court, Circuit Courts and State Court Administrator’s Office. The Supreme Court is the state’s highest court and final decision maker on South Dakota law. The Circuit Courts are the state’s trial courts where criminal proceedings and civil litigation are handled. The State Court Administrator’s Office provides centralized administrative assistance and support services for the South Dakota judiciary. Learn more at https://ujs.sd.gov.