NORFOLK, Neb. -- Northeast Community College criminal justice and human services majors had the opportunity this week to learn more about ways to deal with family violence and related issues.
The students attended the Northeast Nebraska Family Violence Summit at the Lifelong Learning Center, which included dozens of professionals working in the field, along with guest speakers and breakout sessions.
Matt McCarthy, director of Northeast’s criminal justice program, provided the opening remarks at the Lifelong Learning Center during the two-day summit on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 16-17.
Bill Fullbright, Ravalli County prosecutor in Montana, was the featured speaker on Tuesday morning, sharing from his experience in prosecuting crimes against children for the past two decades. He included examples of practical steps that are critical to a quality investigation and prosecution of child abuse.
Working together effectively, a team can make life-long changes in the lives of children who have been the victims of such abuse, Fullbright said.
Aubrey Yost of the BraveBe Child Advocacy Center in southeast Nebraska was the keynote speaker on Wednesday morning. Yost discussed how a female endured a series of traumatic events from early childhood into adolescence, including trafficking.
The mission of BraveBe Child Advocacy Center is to respond to child abuse through a team approach designed to reduce trauma, seek justice, and foster hope and healing for children and their families.
The afternoons included additional speakers and breakout sessions.
Colleen Barnes, Northeast criminal justice and sociology instructor, said this is the third year that Northeast has hosted the summit, which is especially beneficial for Northeast students.
“It gives them more of that hands-on education of what is actually going on in the field. And it also allows students to make connections with the professionals in the field,” Barnes said.
Students were encouraged to talk to the professionals during some of the breaks and ask questions of the speakers.
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Aubrey Yost of the BraveBe Child Advocacy Center speaks Wednesday, April 17, at the Northeast Nebraska Family Violence Summit at the Lifelong Learning Center on the Northeast campus in Norfolk. (Northeast Community College)
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