Registration 9 a.m. The characters show how to take charge of the situations. Trainers define abuse, neglect and financial exploitation and discuss the continuum from subtle to overt abuse. Trainers discuss myths among the general public about persons with disabilities and how these myths and other barriers make it difficult for persons with disabilities to reach out for help, receive help and stop abuse. Trainers discuss psychological factors that prevent abuse victims from helping themselves.
Trainers emphasize that the longer the maltreatment continues the greater the impact on the victim.
Trainers teach skills that will help participants prevent abuse. For example, participants learn how to be assertive, project self-confidence and move from being a victim to being a survivor. They also learn about resources that may help them prevent or turn around an abusive situation. Trainers lead an hour-long group discussion about a fictional person in an abusive situation. Participants also learn about the administrative and criminal justice systems, the state's attorney's office and how to make a complaint to the police.