Justice Systems Advocacy 2.0

Course overview

This training will provide an in-depth examination of the complex needs of domestic violence survivors who have been charged with or convicted of a crime. Participants will explore how trauma, systemic inequities, and victimization intersect with criminalization, and how these factors shape survivor experiences in both correctional and community contexts. For counselors, this program addresses social and cultural foundations, professional responsibilities, and trauma-informed methods of intervention for survivors navigating criminal and civil legal processes. For social workers, content aligns with social work methods, human behavior in the social environment, administration within multidisciplinary systems, and practice with marginalized and system-involved survivors. For marriage and family therapists, the training connects to systems theory, impacts of incarceration on family functioning, and strategies for collaborative, multi-disciplinary service delivery. Participants will hear from a panel of survivor-advocates and experts in the field to build practical skills in trauma-informed advocacy, safety planning, criminal system navigation, civil protection remedies, and rights-based support during incarceration and post-release. Emphasis will be placed on recognizing and addressing bias, supporting survivors through high-stigma system involvement, and collaborating effectively with criminal justice partners. Presenters: Nancy Grigsby, B.A. Psychology, M.S. Counseling;  Bernadette Rieger, BA in Political Science and Womens Studies; Rebecca Garcia, MA Clinical Pastoral/Patient Counseling