Minnesota Conference on Domestic Violence

Join us in person for the Minnesota Conference on Domestic Violence to connect, learn, and take action together!
About this Event

Join us for the Minnesota Conference on Domestic Violence: Practical Training for Professionals and Community Responders on September 25th, 2026, at the Radisson Blu in Bloomington (by the Mall of America).

This day-long conference will provide education and training for those who encounter individuals impacted by domestic violence as part of their work but are not themselves trained advocates. It will help professionals like social workers, therapists, law enforcement, faith leaders, educators, HR teams, and others feel more confident and informed about how to respond and support people they encounter in their roles who are impacted by violence.

We invite you to join us in this important work. Together, we can create communities where everyone has the opportunity to live free from harm.

Keep reading to learn more about sessions being offered at the MNCVD!

Critical Connections: Healthcare's Role in Addressing Intimate Partner Violence and Strangulation Presented by Breanna Heisterkamp (Forensic Nurse Manager Hennepin Assault Response Team - Hennepin Healthcare).

• Medical-forensic perspective on the post-assault care that is available to survivors of intimate partner violence with a focus on trauma-informed care, injury recognition and documentation and strangulation assessment.

Safety & Recovery – The Intersections Between Domestic Violence and Problematic Substance Use Presented by Sarah Busch (Missions Inc. Programs, Community Engagement & Outreach Manager), and Elsa Swenson (Missions Inc. Programs, Home Free Community Program Manager).

• For many survivors of domestic violence, substance use coercion is a significant barrier to safety and recovery. Surviving intimate partner violence significantly increases someone’s risk of developing a substance use disorder. Experiencing this intersection is common; in a survey of callers to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 43% of callers reported experiencing substance use coercion. In addition, support services are often not responsive to the needs of survivors in recovery and create additional barriers to both safety and recovery. Presenters will demonstrate how domestic violence impacts substance use (and vice versa) and provide insight into how providers and supporters can better meet the needs of survivors experiencing problematic substance use.

Designing for the Margins: Systems Change that Strengthens Victim Services for All Presented by Katie Meinhardt (ThinkSelf - Director of Programs) and Aaron Gutzke (CEO of ThinkSelf).

• Deaf and disabled survivor access is not a niche reform issue — it is a systems design issue. When we design services that work for survivors with the most complex access needs, we strengthen victim services for everyone. This workshop explores how barriers faced by Deaf and disabled survivors reveal broader structural gaps in communication, policy, intake, and service delivery. Grounded in the principle “Design for the margins → strengthens the majority,” participants will leave with concrete strategies to move beyond compliance toward proactive, system-wide accessibility.

Enhancing our Responses: Centering Survivors' Voices to Strengthen Systems Presented by Lavon Morris-Grant.

• How can we strengthen our responses without losing sight of the people we serve? This interactive workshop explores how centering survivors' lived experiences can enhance collaboration, strengthen partnerships, and improve system responses. Through storytelling and guided discussion, participants will reflect on how survivor voices can inform more responsive, survivor-centered services.

When Someone Is Experiencing Domestic Violence: A Trauma-Informed Community Response Presented by Dr. Felicia Washington Sy (Director of Clinical Services at Cornerstone).

• When Someone Is Experiencing Domestic Violence is a practical, trauma-informed 90-minute workshop designed to help everyday people respond safely, compassionately, and effectively when they encounter someone who may be experiencing domestic violence. Participants will learn how to recognize common signs of domestic violence and understand why leaving an abusive relationship is often complex and dangerous. The workshop emphasizes that our role is not to "rescue," investigate, diagnose, or make decisions for the person experiencing abuse. Instead, participants will learn how to listen, believe, support, connect, and help increase safety while respecting the person's autonomy.

Elder Justice: Preventing and Responding to Elder Abuse, Neglect and Financial Exploitation Presented by Marit Anne Peterson (Associate Director for the Minnesota Elder Justice Center).

• Despite recent attention to the prevalence of elder abuse, scams and fraud; older adults continue to be targeted as victims of crime. Abuse, neglect and financial exploitation impact older adults and their supporters in specific and significant ways. This presentation will explore definitions and statistics related to elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation; and will discuss common risk factors and warning signs that will assist us in recognizing and preventing elder abuse. We'll talk about the role of adult protection, advocacy, law enforcement and other supporters, and learn about the network of support available to older victims of abuse.

Domestic Violence 101 and Safety Planning Basics Presented by Jude Foster (Senior Director of Community Services at Cornerstone).

• This session will cover the basics of domestic violence, defined as a pattern of abusive behavior used by one person to gain or maintain power and control over another person in an intimate or family relationship. Attendees will learn about the forms of domestic violence, including physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and psychological. This session will also provide a basic framework for helping those experiencing violence to address the safety of themselves and their children.

Agenda

🕑: 08:00 AM - 08:45 AM
Attendee Registration
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Welcome Message
Host: Artika Roller

Info: Introduction to the conference by Cornerstone's Executive Director: Artika Roller. Welcome message by survivor, author, and advocate, Lavon Morris-Grant.

🕑: 09:45 AM - 11:15 AM
Breakout Session 1
🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Lunch

Info: Enjoy lunch while listening to keynote speaker Bloomington Police Department Assistant Chief of Police: Damon Bitney. Presentation of Cornerstone Community Partner Award to Rep. Kelly Moller.

🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Breakout Session 2
🕑: 02:30 PM - 02:45 PM
Break
🕑: 02:45 PM - 04:15 PM
Breakout Session 3

Info: Adjourn at 4:15pm.