Protect Our Children Conference

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, and Barry R. Grissom, United States Attorney for the District of Kansas, announced that law enforcement officers and victim service providers from throughout a multi-state region are in Kansas City, Mo., this week to attend the 11th annual Protect Our Children Conference at the Airport Hilton in Kansas City, Mo., from Sept. 10 to 12, 2014.

The Protect Our Children provides training for those who are in the trenches combating Internet crimes against children, child exploitation, child sexual assault, and child abduction. Dickinson, Grissom and Kansas City Police Chief Darryl Forte welcomed conference attendees this morning.

The three-day conference, which is hosted by United States Attorneys in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, and Indiana, rotates among cities each year. The event provides a multi-disciplinary approach for law enforcement, medical and mental health and victim service providers. Experts and practitioners present a comprehensive strategy to protect children and seek justice on their behalf.

The overall goal of the 11th Annual Protect Our Children Conference is to increase community awareness, improve investigative and prosecutorial practices, and provide resources to all participants. This year’s conference showcases presenters from across the country specializing in the investigation and prosecution of crimes against children and the treatment of child victims.

A special keynote address will be presented by Christopher Baughman, host of MSNBC’s new series on human trafficking, at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, 10, 2014.

Prior to Baughman’s retirement, he headed up the Pandering Investigation Team (PIT) and Human Trafficking Task Force for the Las Vegas Police Department, where his team arrested and convicted several of the city’s wealthiest and most violent criminals. He teaches pandering investigations to other departments across the nation, including members of the FBI, IRS, and Federal Parole and Probation Agencies. He is also author of the best-selling true crime human trafficking series, “Off The Street.”

At 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, closing keynote speaker Derek Clark will share his compelling personal testimony of the childhood trauma he endured and overcame, which has inspired thousands of people to overcome their own adversity. A published author and well-known expert in working with troubled children and youth, he will also share insight and training to equip us for dealing with young victims.

Plenary speakers will address such topics as “Trauma and Recovery,” “Neurobiology of Trauma,” and “Cyberbullying.” Sixteen workshops feature separate tracks with experts and topics that are specifically relevant to law enforcement, health care/medical, or victim providers. Special elective workshops will also be offered on a diverse range of topics.

Most of the conference sessions are open to the media. More information about the Protect Our Children Conference can be found online at http://www.pocconference.com.