Western Canada’s Largest In-Person Conference on Domestic, Sexual & Family Violence
Wednesday, October 28, 2026
8:45 – 9:45 a.m.
9:45 – 10:15 a.m.
Registration & Coffee
Opening Remarks
10:15 – 11:15 a.m.
Keynote #1 – The Rise of Rough Sex: What Service Providers Need to Know
Speaker: Debby Herbenick
11:15 – 11:30 a.m.
Networking Break
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions 1
Speakers: Lianna Lee, Elena Esina, Jake Stika
Topic: Shaping Norms Early: Technology , youth and prevention
Stream: Primary Prevention
Speakers: Dr. Alishau Diebold & Atira Lonigro
Topic: Who do you tell
Stream: Early Intervention
Speaker: Stephanie Ma
Topic: Supporting Clients Applying for Protection Orders: practical step-by-step information on remedies to address Family Violence
Stream: Early Intervention
Speakers: Wati Rahmat & Lucy Lu
Topic: Ahlan. Adala. Amanah: Integrated Culturally Responsive Programming for Muslim Women from Crisis to Healing.
Stream: Rebuilding Lives
Speaker: Brendan Klug
Topic: A Personal Directive (PD) and Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) –Important and Under Utilised Tools in the Prevention of Elder Abuse
Stream: Primary Prevention
Speaker: Jacquie Hall
Topic: Beyond the Courtroom: Building Trauma-Informed Remote Testimony Spaces
Stream: Crisis Intervention
Speakers: Nicole Smith
Topic: Advancing Domestic Violence Response in Healthcare: Recovery Alberta
Stream: Primary Prevention
12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
Lunch
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions 2
Speaker: Brooklyn Leibham/Katie Zoobkof/Lazaya Villeneuve/Sadie Turning Robe/Kelsi Reimier/Jennifer Fournier
Topic: Indigenous Youth Leadership: Reimagining Prevention and Systems Change
Stream: Primary Prevention
Speaker: Cynthia Ashe & Sherry Kuss
Topic: From Reaction to Response: Standardizing Strategies in Child Abuse Investigations
Stream: Crisis Intervention
Speakers: Scott Mizibrocky
Topic: International Child Abduction
Stream: Crisis Intervention
Speakers: Jeff Roth
Topic: When technology becomes a weapon: a practical framework for responding to digital abuse
Stream: Early Intervention
Speaker: Hennes Doltz
Topic: Beneath the surface – preventing sex trafficking and harm in Canada’s Extraction Industry
Stream: Primary Prevention
Speakers: Debby Herbenick
Topic: Actionable ways to address sexual choking
Stream:
Speakers: Donelda Laing & Gabrielle Kir
Topic: Stronger Together: How rural Alberta communities are working to prevent and address Elder abuse
Stream: Primary Prevention
3:00 – 3:15 p.m.
Transition/Networking
3:15 – 4:15 p.m.
Keynote #2 – True Reconciliation: How to Be a Force for Change
Speaker: Jody Wilson Raybould
4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Speaker Book Signing
Thursday, October 29, 2026
7:45 – 8:45 a.m.
Breakfast
8:45 – 9:00 a.m.
Welcome Back
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Keynote #3 – Access to Justice: What the heck does that mean?
Speaker: Sheila Pahl
10:00 – 10:30 a.m.
Networking Break
10:30 – 12:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions 3
Speaker:
Kim Ruse, Jeff St. John, Wanda McGinnis
Topic: Engaging Men: Removing Barriers to Help-Seeking and Offering the Right Supports at the Right Time to Prevent Violence
Stream: Primary Prevention
Speakers: Jeff Roth
Topic: When technology becomes a weapon: a practical framework for responding to digital abuse
Stream: Early Intervention
Speakers: Logan Frison & Lindsey Yakeley
Topic: Stranglehold: Breaking Down the Most Overlooked Lethal Threat and the Survivors Prospective
Stream: Crisis Intervention
Speakers: Andrea Heinz
Topic: Ending Municipal Pathways for Sexual Exploitation–Based Businesses: A Survivor-Centered Approach
Stream: Rebuilding Lives
Speaker: Angela C. Stypula & Duncan Easey
Topic: Responding to Sexual Offending When Learning Looks Different
Stream: Rebuilding Lives
Speaker: Cynthia Ashe & Sherry Kuss
Topic: From Reaction to Response: Standardizing Strategies in Child Abuse Investigations
Stream: Crisis Intervention
Speaker: Myrtle Beaulieu, Melvina Many Heads, April Tucker
Topic: Rooted in Relationship: Indigenous Ways of Supporting Elder Safety
Stream: Early Intervention
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
OPTION 1 – 3-Hour Intensive Workshop
Round 1: Choose Your Own Adventure #4
Speaker: Ronnie Biletsky
Topic: Enhancing Frontline Practice: Identifying and Responding to Child Exploitation and Trafficking
Speaker: Marci Gordeyko
Topic: Problematic Sexual Behaviour in Youth: Supporting Professionals with Identification, Supervision and Safety Planning
OPTION 2 – Two Concurrent Rounds
Round 1: 1:00 – 2:30 PM (90 mins)
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions 4 – Round #1
Speakers: Lana Wells & Elizabeth Dozois
Topic: Changing Behaviour in Real Time Through The Signal System ™: Leveraging Workplaces for Primary Prevention
Stream: Primary Prevention
Speaker: Iman Gatti
Topic: Better. Different. More.
Stream: Rebuilding Lives
Speakers: Scott Mizibrocky
Topic: International Child Abduction
Stream: Crisis Intervention
Speakers: Lisa Sura / Amanda MacEwan /Alyssa Rodger / Kathryn Moore
Topic: Integrating Early Mental Health and Parenting Supports in Child Welfare Responses to IPV
Stream: Early Intervention
Speaker: Cherie Potskin & Lincoln Nanaquqwetung
Topic: Circle of Safety: Culturally Grounded Healing for Indigenous Women, Men, and Children Impacted by Family Violence
Stream: Rebuilding Lives
2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Networking Break
3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions 4 – Round #2
Speakers: Dr. Ebony Rempel, Lana Wells, Dr. Caroline Claussen, Linette Solden
Topic: From Data to Action: Place-Based Prevention Is Where It Is At
Stream: Primary Prevention
Speaker: Stephanie Ma
Topic: The Ahluwalia Decision
Stream: Rebuilding Lives
Speakers: Haley Scott
Topic: When Survivors Are Ready: What Helpline Data Reveals About Sexual Violence Help-Seeking
Stream: Crisis Intervention
Speakers: Marianne Kelly & Silvia Clark
Topic: Recognizing and responding to Canada Red Flags Laws: What Everyone Needs to Know
Stream: Crisis Intervention
Speaker: Jacquie Hall
Topic: Beyond the Courtroom: Building Trauma-Informed Remote Testimony Spaces
Stream: Crisis Intervention
4:00 p.m.
Adjourn
4:15 – 6:00 p.m.
Networking Event – Mashed Potato Bar & Bookstore
Friday, October 30, 2026
7:45 – 8:45 a.m.
Breakfast
8:45 – 9:00 a.m.
Welcome Back
9:00 – 9:15 a.m.
Transition/Networking
9:15 – 12:15 p.m.
OPTION 1 – 3-Hour Intensive Workshop
Round 2: Choose Your Own Adventure #5
Speaker: Marci Gordeyko
Topic: Problematic Sexual Behaviour in Youth: Supporting Professionals with Identification, Supervision and Safety Planning
Speaker: Ronnie Biletsky
Topic: Enhancing Frontline Practice: Identifying and Responding to Child Exploitation and Trafficking
OPTION 2 – Two Concurrent Rounds
Round 1: 9:15 – 10:45 AM (90 mins)
9:15 – 10:45 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions 5 – Round #1
Speakers: Corinne Ofstie, Dr. Sarah Fotheringham
Topic: A Shared Path Forward: Prevention Priorities for Alberta’s Sexual Violence Sector
Stream: Primary Prevention
Speaker: Lisa Sura / Amanda MacEwan /Alyssa Rodger / Kathryn Moore
Topic: Integrating Early Mental Health and Parenting Supports in Child Welfare Responses to IPV
Stream: Early Intervention
Speakers: Kristopher Marks
Topic: In/Action: Engaging Boys and Men in Sexual Violence Prevention Through Connection and Accountability
Stream: Primary Prevention
Speakers: Logan Frison and Lindsey Yakeley
Topic: Stranglehold: Breaking Down the Most Overlooked Lethal Threat and the Survivors Prospective
Stream: Crisis Intervention
Speaker: Sheila Pahl
Topic: Speak your truth! Early and effective support for victims in family court
Stream: Rebuilding Lives / Crisis Intervention
10:45 – 11:00 a.m.
Networking Break
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions 5 – Round #2
Speakers: Deinera Exner-Cortens
Topic: Growing Up Safe: How PREVNet Is Shaping the Future of Violence Prevention in Canada
Stream: Primary Prevention
Speaker: Aurelia Uarsama
Topic: Under the Tree: An Afrocentric Approach to Elder Abuse in African-Descent Communities
Stream: Primary Prevention
Speakers: Stephanie Ma
Topic: Supporting Clients Applying for Protection Orders: practical step-by-step information on remedies to address Family Violence
Stream: Early Intervention
Speakers: Marianne Kelly & Silvia Clark
Topic: Recognizing and responding to Canada Red Flags Laws: What Everyone Needs to Know
Stream: Crisis Intervention
Speaker: Michael Bautista
Topic: Fathering for the Future: Engaging Fathers Through Domestic-Violence Informed Practices
Stream: Primary Prevention
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
12:45 – 1:00 p.m.
United Cultures of Canada Association awards
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Keynote #4 – Born For Greatness
Speaker: Iman Gatti
2:00 – 2:15 p.m.
Door Prizes & Wrap-up
2:15 p.m.
Adjourn