Combating Sex Abuse Topic of Upcoming Workshop

By Gary Allen
Newberg Graphic
January 3, 2018

https://pamplinmedia.com/nbg/142-news/382960-271437-combating-sex-abuse-topic-of-upcoming-workshop

Police, church and Juliette's House join forces to stage event Jan. 6 in Newberg

The Newberg-Dundee Police Department, in conjunction with Juliette's House and Newberg Christian Church, will hold a workshop in January headlined "Sex Offenders: Keeping Children, Churches, Schools and Youth Organizations Safe."

The workshop is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 6 at the church, 2315 Villa Road.

The event, according to a release from the NDPD, is designed to provide training for parents, the faith community, youth service organizations, camp staff, school staff, human resources personnel and risk management professionals.

Speaking will be Julie Siepmann, a licensed clinical social worker, and NDPD Detective Todd Baltzell.

Siepmann is the clinical services director and lead forensic interviewer at Juliette's House, a child abuse assessment center in McMinnville. She regularly testifies as an expert witness in criminal child abuse cases and has worked as a child and family therapist treating children who have experienced abuse.

Baltzell is a 24-year veteran of the NDPD and has been responsible for investigating more than 700 sexual assault cases, primarily for child/teen sexual abuse. He has co-facilitated community trainings addressing child sexual abuse and created the Newberg-Dundee Domestic Violence Response Team.

Workshop topics include;

Child sexual abuse and offender stats you and your agency should know.

How people develop an attraction to children.

Common seduction or "grooming tactics" used by offenders.

"Professional perpetrators" who prey on churches, schools and you service organizations

The impact on victims.

How you can help survivors particularly when the offender is a family member, staff member or volunteer.

Responding to disclosures of sexual abuse and mandatory reporting child abuse.

Responding to children's sexual behavior problems.

What parents, churches and youth-serving organizations should understand about police investigations.

What you can do to work with social services and the criminal justice system.

Local resources and child abuse assessment centers.

"By taking the time to learn more about child sexual abuse and the people who commit these crimes, parents and professionals will be joining a number of people who are becoming better educated about protecting children, safeguarding our private and public institutions and fulfilling our missions," Baltzell said.

Organizers of the workshop warned parents against bringing their children to the event as it incorporates videotaped interviews with convicted sex offenders and graphic discussions about sex crimes and child abuse.

For more information, call Baltzell at 503-537-1227 or email him at