On September 24, 2007, the United States Attorney of the Northern District of Georgia, the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council and the Federal Bureau of Investigation sponsored a one-day Victim-Witness Conference featuring Dr. Ed Jacobs, Dr. Julie Ancis and Dr. Charles Figley. The conference was titled Addressing Needs: From Victim to Provider and was designed to offer information assisting those who work with individuals impacted by crime.
MAKING A LASTING IMPACT WHEN WORKING WITH CRIME VICTIMS
Dr. Ed Jacobs is the coordinator of the Master's Program in Counseling in the Counseling, Counseling Psychology, and Rehabilitation Department at West Virginia University. His professional publications include 25 articles in books and journals as well as four books on counseling techniques: Impact Therapy, Creative Counseling Techniques: An Illustrated Guide, Group Counseling in Correctional Settings and Group Counseling: Strategies and Skills which is now in its fifth edition. Dr. Jacobs is the founder and director of Impact Therapy Associates. Dr. Jacobs is known for his practical, down-to-earth style in both his presentations and his books. He has been recognized for his outstanding contribution to the group counseling field by being selected as a Fellow in the Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW) and in 2003 was presented the Professional Development Award from ASGW. Dr. Jacobs is a nationally certified counselor and a licensed professional counselor in West Virginia and has been in private practice for over 20 years.
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS: BUILDING YOUR CULTURAL COMPETANCE WITH TRAUMA SURVIVORS
Dr. Julie Ancis is an associate professor in the Department of Counseling and Psychological Services at Georgia State University. She has published extensively in the area of multicultural counseling and is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences. Her most recent books include Culturally Responsive Interventions: Innovative Approaches to Working with Diverse Populations (2004).
THE NEED FOR SELF ADVOCATING: RESILIENCE STRATEGIES FOR COPING WITH THE COST OF CARING
Dr. Figley is a psychologist, family therapist, and professor in the College of Social Work at Florida State University since June 1989. He is formerly professor of Family Therapy and Psychology at Purdue University (1974-1989) and founding director of the Purdue Family Research Institute. Among his many accomplishments, Dr. Figley organized a task force to help the U.S. State Department and the families of American hostages. Additionally, he has focused on individual stress reactions, especially traumatic stress, starting with his research on Vietnam combat veterans and their families and has helped established the field of traumatology, the study and treatment of human reactions to highly stressful situations. At FSU he directs the FSU Traumatology Institute (formerly the Psychosocial Stress Research and Development Program). He is also editor of the journal, Traumatology and former editor of several other journals. He established the Green Cross Foundation and the Academy of Traumatology to support the emerging field of traumatology. Professor Figley has written more than 186 scholarly works including 19 books. Most of his work has focused on stress. His most recent book is Compassion Fatigue in the Animal Care Community published by the Humane Society Press early in 2006.
There were approximately 170 people in attendance including victim-witness coordinators, directors and advocates, licensed counselors and social workers, law enforcement representatives, and attorneys.
Opening introductions and a warm welcome was given by Mr. David Nahmias, US Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia and Mr. Rick Malone, Executive Director of the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia closed the conference with forward-focused encouragement.
