Trauma-Informed Approaches to Intimate Partner Violence Investigations

This FREE training is designed to equip law enforcement with the knowledge and tools to recognize the impact of trauma on survivors, respond utilizing trauma-informed strategies, and strengthen investigative outcomes through trauma-informed, evidence-based approaches.

Participants will learn:

· The dynamics of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), the effects of trauma, and how trauma can influence behavior and reporting while also recognizing the warning signs of escalating IPV that can lead to homicide.

· The importance of minimizing re-traumatization, building trust with survivors, awareness of community resources and linkage to support for victims, and gathering comprehensive information through effective interview techniques.

This event will max out at 90 participants. Please contact Chelsie Irwin at [email protected] if you registered and are unable to attend. This is critical so we can allow other participants to attend. Registration for this training will close on Friday, August 15, 2025.

Target audience - law enforcement

Location and Parking - The event will be held in the conference room at 800 E 96th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46240. Parking is available on-site in both the front and rear parking lots. Please enter through the main doors on either side. Signs will be placed to direct you to the conference center.

Arrival - doors will open approximately 30 minutes prior to the start of the training to allow for sign in. The training will start promptly at 9:00 AM.

Cost - this training is sponsored by the Indiana Department of Health and is no cost to training participants.

CEUs - This training has been approved for continuing education units through the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. It is highly recommended that you complete the entire training. You will not receive law enforcement CEU credits if you are unable to complete the full training.

About the trainers:

Dottie Davis, Davis Corporate Training, Inc. - With over 30 years experience working in law enforcement with the Fort Wayne Police Department, Davis has also served as the Director of Security for Fort Wayne Community Schools, and has nearly 3 decades of experiences as a family violence trainer, training thousands of law enforcement officers, prosecutors, advocates, and judges throughout the nation. Davis serves as a board member for the YWCA Northeast Indiana, Fort Wayne Sexual Assault Treatment Center, Mental Health America of Northeast Indiana, and the Euell Wilson Center. She is also an advisory board member for two universities and SafeHiring Solutions and sits on numerous committees for both profit and non-profit organization.

Tyler Counsil, Ed.D, Zero Abuse Project and Daviess County Coroner - With over a decade working in forensic science and investigative roles, Counsil has held key roles as a Forensic Scientist with the Indiana State Police Laboratory Division and currently serves as the Coroner for Daviess County, Indiana, specializing in trauma-informed communication and youth death/suicide response. Additionally, he is the Director of Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) for Zero Abuse Project, using his academic expertise to advance child advocacy initiatives and assist faculty in implementing child abuse prevention programs.

During this training, participants will also hear from a panel comprised of an IPV survivor, a victim advocate, and Dottie Davis bringing in a law enforcement perspective. Participants will hear real-life perspectives and have the opportunity to engage to learn how to strengthen community partnerships to support IPV survivors.

Host or Publisher Indiana Department of Health