Symposium on Crimes Against Children
Symposium on Crimes Against Children 2026 | hosted by Mission Kids
Thursday, April 16, 2026
Full day event
Light breakfast & lunch provided
Registration Now Open
$75 | Montgomery County MDT Partners
$90 | Regular Admission (Non-MontCo MOU Partners)
Mission Kids Regional Training Center
521 Plymouth Road
Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
Thursday, April 16, 2026 • Spring-Ford Area High School
April 16, 2026
Mission Kids Regional Training Center • Plymouth Meeting, PA
$90 Per Person;
$75 for Montgomery County MDT
All tickets include breakfast, lunch, snack, and professional credits (CEUs + CLEs.)
Join Mission Kids for a day of expert learning, innovation, and cross-disciplinary partnership at our new Child Advocacy Center & Regional Training Facility.
Audience
Child abuse professionals and multidisciplinary team (MDT) partners from Montgomery County and surrounding areas, representing:
- Child Advocacy Center Staff
- Child Protective Services
- Forensic Interviewers
- Law Enforcement
- Prosecution
- Medical Providers
- Mental Health Professionals
- Victim Advocates
What to Expect:
- Expert presentations from national leaders in child protection
- Interactive workshops focused on detection and intervention
- Practical strategies for coordinated response and trauma-informed practice
- Resources and tools you can apply immediately in your work
Topics
The Latest Information and Expert Insights on Important Topics
- Grooming
- Problematic Sexualized Behaviors in the Digital Age
- Juvenile Sex Offenses
- Artificial Intelligence and Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM)
- Cultural Considerations
- Sextortion & Image-Based Abuse
- Physical Abuse/Pediatric Injuries
Sessions & Presenters
Keynote Address
Rediscovering Inner Beauty: Confronting Trauma and Reclaiming Choice
Presenter: Sasha Joseph Neulinger
In this keynote, Sasha Joseph Neulinger examines the impact of childhood trauma on the individual and the power of choice in moving through it. Drawing from lived experience, he explores how abuse shapes identity and how healing begins when survivors are supported in recognizing their own agency and strength.
Neulinger highlights the critical role multidisciplinary teams play in helping individuals process trauma, reclaim voice, and move forward. Through personal reflection and visual storytelling, he reinforces a central message for professionals in the field: trauma is not a death sentence, and healing is possible.
About Sasha Joseph Neulinger
Sasha Joseph Neulinger’s story is closely connected to the origins of Mission Kids Child Advocacy Center. After disclosing sexual abuse at a young age and navigating a decade-long pursuit of justice, his experience revealed the need for a more compassionate, coordinated response for children and families, contributing to the creation of Mission Kids in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Today, Neulinger is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, keynote speaker, and survivor advocate. He is best known for his Emmy-nominated documentary REWIND and is the founder and chairman of Voice For The Kids. He has delivered more than 100 keynote and plenary presentations worldwide, focusing on survivor-centered approaches, the impact of trauma, and the role of multidisciplinary systems in supporting healing and resilience.
Artificial Intelligence and Sexual Abuse Material
Presenters: Dan Barry and Kristina Korobov, Zero Abuse Project
Experts are alarmed at the speed of the development of AI-generated child sexual abuse material, which allows the creation of explicit imagery of specific individuals and creates new images of existing victims. The scale of the problem is a challenge, and with improvements in AI technology, it becomes increasingly difficult to determine if an image is real or AI-generated. This session will provide information on the intersection of AI and CSAM and discuss the range of responses, including legislative advocacy, education, enhanced services, and prevention efforts intended to mitigate the negative expansion and effect of AI.
Thoughts and Considerations When Prosecuting Juvenile Sex Offenses
Presenter: Paul Stern
One of the most difficult decisions that prosecutors make is what to do with juveniles accused of sexual aggressive behavior. The decision process is hampered by misguided laws, poor public policy and a system which is typically counterproductive to thoughtful prosecution in these cases. This career prosecutor offers a review of the articulated rationales for the creation of significant legal and social policies regarding juvenile sex offenders and examines the empirical evidence which challenges or supports those policies. He argues it is incumbent upon prosecutors to ensure that their decisions are guided by the best available research and an understanding of empirical information when they’re faced with the difficult task of prosecuting juvenile sexual offenders.
Grooming 101 – A Predator’s Playbook
Presenter: Michelle Denault, Voices Carry LLC
How often do you see a headline read that a trusted authority figure has been in an “inappropriate relationship” with a minor? These are not “relationships” but instead abuse that begins with grooming. In this presentation, survivor Michelle Denault weaves in her story as she breaks down each step of grooming. This approach allows the participants to see through the lens of a survivor how predators use a child’s natural want for love to manipulate them into consenting to their violation and why bystanders often place blame back on the victim instead of where it belongs. Michelle then incorporates her lens as an administrator’s wife to show how lack of training and societal misconceptions can often cause people to fail children in their care. These failures have lifelong consequences for our children, create lasting divisions between our schools and communities, and can cause massive financial fallout for our institutions.
Unlocking Insights in Pediatric Injury Assessment for Child Abuse Professionals
Presenter: Dr. Colleen Bennett and Laura Popma, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
Tailored for child abuse investigators, this workshop delves into the intricacies of evaluating injuries through the lens of a child’s developmental milestones. Participants will gain a nuanced understanding of how a child’s unique developmental pace impacts the assessment of injury plausibility, equipping investigators with crucial insights. The workshop empowers child abuse investigators to recognize and interpret deviations from expected injury norms, honing their ability to identify potential signs of abuse with a specialized investigative focus. Practical skills for investigators, including techniques for thorough examinations and the integration of physical assessments, will be covered, alongside the role of relevant radiology and laboratory workups in determining the nature and extent of injuries. Emphasizing the importance of collaboration, the workshop explores the pivotal role of working with law enforcement and child protective services to ensure a comprehensive understanding of historical details in child abuse cases.
Introduction to the CE-CERT Model to Enhance Emotional Regulation
Presenter: Amanda Mitten, M.A., University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Center on Child Abuse and Neglect.
Immerse yourself in our specialized CE-CERT model training designed for professionals in the child abuse field. Explore empirically informed strategies to manage emotion dysregulation, incorporating evidence-based techniques. Learn how the model fosters sustainability in this challenging work and gain immediate, practical insights. Engage in a dynamic learning environment led by expert facilitators, promoting collaboration and hands-on experiences. Elevate your professional journey by integrating these specialized strategies, enhancing emotional well-being and resilience in the vital work of addressing child abuse. Join us for a unique blend of experiential and didactic learning, taking the first step towards a healthier work-life balance while making a positive impact in the field.
Sextortion and Image-Based Abuse: Prevalence, Recognition, and the Impact on Youth
Presenters: Dan Barry and Kristina Korobov, Zero Abuse Project
As the world becomes more digitally connected, a single offender can now commit multiple virtual sexual assaults without ever leaving home. Sextortion—the use of coercion to compel a victim to engage in some form of sexual conduct—has been steadily increasing over the years and sometimes involves international actors and financial components. Other forms of image-based sexual abuse (such as nonconsensual image sharing) can prove equally devastating to its victims. This presentation will address different forms of image-based victimization and its impact on survivors. The workshop will discuss trauma-informed investigations, including victim interviewing and evidence gathering, protecting victims during the court process, and addressing victims’ needs for their physical safety and mental health. Finally, the group will discuss the need for parental education and community involvement to support survivors.
Digital Dynamics: Navigating Youth & Sexual Behavior
Presenter: Kelly Hagenbaugh, LSW, Creative Health Services
The workshop addresses the intricate intersection of problematic sexual behavior in youth and the influence of technology. Participants will gain insights into the challenges of addressing these issues in the digital age and will learn practical strategies for supporting youth navigating problematic sexual behavior. The workshop also focuses on enhancing communication skills for engaging in sensitive conversations with youth and families about technology and sexual development. Additionally, attendees will be introduced to Mission Kids’ “Promoting Safe Behaviors” program, which employs a collaborative approach to work with youth engaged in sexually acting out or harmful behavior. The program offers insights into education, consultation, and support strategies, positioning participants to foster safe and informed behaviors among today’s youth
Sponsorship Opportunities
Partner with Mission Kids to support the education and training of those helping our most vulnerable children during one of the hardest times in their life.
Ready to sponsor?
Premier Sponsor – $5,000
Premier Sponsors can choose one of the exclusive packages below. In addition to exclusive benefits, all Premier Sponsors will receive:
- Prominent name/logo placement on printed event materials (agenda, directional signage, event maps, program book)
- Name/logo prominently featured on Mission Kids’ social media
- Name/logo displayed on rotating digital screens during session breaks
- Name/logo featured on event website registration page
- Verbal recognition during opening remarks
- Sponsor may provide a printed, one-page marketing insert in attendee folders or notebooks
Exclusive Premier Packages (first come, first serve)
Lunch: Name/logo displayed on all lunch service area signage and verbal recognition prior to lunch dismissal
- Keynote: Exclusive recognition during keynote address introductory remarks, name/logo displayed throughout keynote address
- Notebook: Notebooks provided to every participant, cobranded with sponsor name/logo and Mission Kids’ branding
Signature Sponsor – $2,500
Signature Sponsors can choose one of the exclusive packages below. In addition to exclusive benefits, all Signature Sponsors will receive:
- Prominent name/logo placement on printed event materials (agenda, directional signage, event maps, program book)
- Name/logo prominently featured on Mission Kids’ social media
- Name/logo displayed on rotating digital screens during session breaks
- Name/logo featured on event website registration page
- Verbal recognition during opening remarks
- Sponsor may provide a printed, one-page marketing insert in attendee folders or notebooks
Exclusive Signature Packages (first come, first serve)
Technology: Name/logo displayed on mobile charging stations and on all event Wi-Fi signage
- Breakfast: Name/logo displayed on all morning buffet service area signage and verbal recognition prior to lunch dismissal
- Refreshments: Name/logo displayed on all refreshment stations and tables
Supporting Sponsor – $2,500
Supporting Sponsors can choose one of the exclusive packages below. In addition to exclusive benefits, all Supporting Sponsors will receive:
- Name/logo placement on printed event materials
- Name/logo featured on Mission Kids’ social media
- Name/logo displayed on rotating digital screens during session breaks
- Name/logo featured on event website registration page
- Sponsor may provide a printed, one-page marketing insert in attendee folders or notebooks
Exclusive Supporting Packages (first come, first serve)
Hydration Station: Name/logo displayed on branded signage at all coffee and water stations
- Parking: Name/logo displayed on all parking maps and signage
Community Sponsor – $500
All Community Sponsors will receive:
- Name/logo placement on printed event materials
- Name/logo featured on Mission Kids’ social media
- Name/logo displayed on rotating digital screens during session breaks
- Name/logo featured on event website registration page
- Sponsor may provide a printed, one-page marketing insert in attendee folders or notebooks
In addition to the benefits listed above, Community Sponsors may provide one small branded giveaway item to be included in attendee material bags at registration.
Examples: Pens, stress balls, microfiber cloths, hand sanitizer. Sponsor provides branded items.
Thank you to our generous sponsors
Proud Sponsors
Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors
