Protecting Families Conference

Welcome to the Protecting Families Conference!

Date: April 25, 2025

Location: Morningside University, Morningside Avenue, Sioux City, IA, USA

Join us for a day filled with insightful discussions, and networking opportunities focused on protecting families. Learn from Matt Lindemeyer, who is an expert in the field. Whether you're a parent, caregiver, educator, or advocate, this event is designed to provide you with valuable resources and support.

Matt Lindemeyer has been in law enforcement since 2002. Matt Lindemeyer currently serves as the field investigations supervisor for the Missouri State Technical Assistance Team, providing investigative assistance, expertise, and training to local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, child protection agencies, and multidisciplinary teams. Mr. Lindemeyer works on investigation and prosecution of child abuse, child neglect, child sexual abuse, child exploitation, child sexual abuse material, and child fatality cases. Additionally, as a Task Force Officer with the Missouri State Highway Patrol and U.S. Department of Homeland Security, he investigates Internet crimes against children. Mr. Lindemeyer sits on the Governor’s Task Force for The Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse. He has a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice and was the recipient of several awards including: “Child Advocate of the Year” in 2016, “Missouri Deputy Sheriff of the Year” in 2009, and “Task Force Officer of the Year” in 2021.

Morning session:

MDT Approach to Child Abuse Investigations

Description: This training discusses the benefits of working together as an MDT, addressing the dysfunctions within some MDTs, utilizing corroboration, best practices, and other successful strategies in solving child abuse investigations.

Who to Believe When Custody, Coaching, and Chaos are Involved

Description: We will dissect the facts and fictions involving alleged child abuse in child custody cases, who to believe, and why we believe them. This training discusses the circumstances of disclosure, parental perceptions, court involvement, the child’s statement, corroborative evidence, sexual behaviors, the perpetrator interview, and how to interpret the facts obtained during the investigation.

Afternoon session:

Investigating Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and the Search for Live Victims

Description: This training will discuss the sources of CSAM, the offender typologies of those creating or viewing CSAM, overall investigative best practices, and the importance of searching for live victims.

Host or Publisher MercyOne Child Advocacy Center