Events

Unmasking Sexual Abuse: Understanding, Healing, and Prevention

Date: April 25, 2024

Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Door Open for Breakfast and Registration at 8:30 am)

Moderator: Tatiana Begault – Advocate for Education Reform, Criminal Justice, Mental Health, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Female Support Project & G.A.L

Agenda:

9:00 AM – 9:10 AM: Introduction and Welcome

• Tatiana Begault – TentMakers Of Louisiana Advisory Board Member
• Topic: Welcome and Introduction to the Forum
• Duration: 10 minutes

9:10 AM – 9:25 AM: Speaker 1

• Jody Plauche – Survivor/Author/ Advocate — See Speaker Bio Page
• Topic: Personal Experience of Grooming and Its Impact on Victims and Families
• Presentation Duration: 15 minutes

9:25 AM – 9:30 AM: Video Clip 1

• A 3-minute video expressing the challenges and difficulties faced by victims of sexual abuse, emphasizing the importance of breaking the silence and seeking support. (option to use Why Gary Why video here to show impact on family)

9:30 AM – 9:45 AM: Speaker 2

• Kristi Schubert – Award Winning Litigator, Speaker, Author, Advocate specializing in representing survivors of sexual abuse, and dedicated proponent of educating the community on the legal rights of abuse survivors.
• Topic: Distinctions Between Bringing a Civil Claim and Pressing Criminal Charges in Child Abuse Cases and Abuse Prevention Practices for Organizations
• Presentation Duration: 15 minutes

9:45 AM – 9:55 AM: Break

• A 10-minute break for attendees to refresh and prepare for the next session.

9:55 AM – 10:10 AM: Speaker 3

• TBD
• Topic: Behaviors of Children and Adults with Unhealed Sexual Trauma (tentative)
• Presentation Duration: 15 minutes

10:10 AM – 10:25 AM: Speaker 4

•         Dr. Elliott A. Beaton – Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of New Orleans and the Director of the Stress, Cognition, and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory

o   Topic: Inform prevention, mitigation, and treatment of mental illness by identifying and understanding risk factors related to anxiety and stress related to sexual trauma

o   Presentation Duration: 15 minutes

10:25 AM – 10:35 AM: Break

• A 10-minute break for attendees to take a short pause and prepare for the next session.

10:35 AM – 10:50 AM: Speaker 5

• Letitia Peyton, Co-Founder and Executive Director of TentMakers of Louisiana, Advocate, Author, Mom of Survivor
• Topic: The Importance of Family in Understanding Sexual Abuse and Working Through Healing
• Presentation Duration: 15 minutes

10:50 AM – 11:20 AM: Panel Discussion

• All Speakers on Stage with the Moderator
• Panel Discussion Duration: 50 minutes
• Moderator to engage in a broader discussion with the experts.

11:20 AM – 11:25 AM: Short Video Clip

• A brief, inspirational video clip emphasizing healing and hope for survivors.

11:25 AM – 11:40 AM: Audience Questions

• Audience members can ask questions about the topics discussed during the individual sessions and the panel discussion.
• Duration: 10 minutes

11:40 AM – 12:00 PM: Closing Remarks and Networking

• The moderator shares final thoughts and key takeaways.
• Brief closing remarks, expressions of gratitude, and information about any meet-and-greet opportunities with panelists.
• Duration: 7 minutes

Panelist Bios

Tatiana Begault Bio – Moderator and Emcee

Tatiana Sofia Begault is a Business Administration student at UC Davis, currently serving as the Deputy State Director for Education Reform Now and the Executive Director for The Greater American Leadership. She is a published author of the 2012 Facial Symmetry study and has co-authored “Assessing Psychological Resilience among Pre-Surgery PLIF Patients in Louisiana: Psychometric Evaluation of the Brief Resilient Coping Scale” in the Louisiana Journal of Medicine. Tatiana has received NIH Grants for undergraduate research and developmental research with Xavier University.

In addition to her academic pursuits, Tatiana has extensive research experience across various fields, including physiology, neurodevelopmental disorders, resiliency, social work, and business development. She presented at the University of Warmia and Mazuri in Olsztyn, Poland, under Dr. Glenn Simmons, PhD, from Wayland Baptist University in May 2018. Tatiana’s previous experience includes working as a Disaster Program Specialist for the American Red Cross, Region 9 GHOSEP, serving the community in St Tammany, Tangipahoa, St Helena, and Washington Parish.

Her commitment to humanitarian work and community service is evident in her roles, where she worked alongside dedicated volunteers during moments of disaster. Tatiana expresses great pleasure in continuing personal, professional, and academic growth.

Facial Symmetry Study:

Tatiana conducted a study exploring facial symmetry and its correlation with psychosocial development, challenging the presumption that facial symmetry signals developmental stability. Despite finding no evident correlation between facial symmetry and psychosocial development, the study provided insights into the role of facial phenotype in psychosocial adjustment.

Global Brain Mapping Project:

Tatiana’s research delves into the ethical implications of the global project to map the human brain, emphasizing the potential benefits of understanding cognition and treating incurable illnesses. She sees this initiative as an opportunity to revolutionize psychiatry, psychology, neurotechnology, and other biological sciences by providing scientists with tools to gain a dynamic and interactive picture of the brain.

Psychological Resilience Study:

In another study, Tatiana evaluated the psychometric properties of the Brief Resilience Coping Scale (BRCS) among pre-spine surgery patients in Louisiana. The research highlighted the applicability of BRCS as a measure of resilience for this specific group, emphasizing the need for further research to endorse its validity.

Jody Plauche Bio

Renowned speaker and esteemed panelist Jody Plauche brings a wealth of experience and advocacy to discussions on child sexual abuse. Hailing from Baton Rouge, Jody’s resilience and commitment to prevention stem from his journey of surviving abduction in 1984.

A graduate of Louisiana State University, Jody actively contributed to violence prevention through Men Against Violence. His roles as a sexual assault counselor and Supervisor of Community Education Programs at the Victim Services Center of Montgomery County underscore his dedication.

Recognized as Survivor/Activist of the Year by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency in 2004, Jody’s influence extends nationally. He’s participated in events like the White House Conference on Missing, Exploited, and Runaway Children and shared his impactful story on TV shows such as Geraldo, Oprah, and The Montel Williams Show.

As the author of “Why Gary Why? The Jody Plauche Story,” Jody’s written work adds depth to his contributions. Currently serving on the advisory board of TentMakers Of Louisiana, Jody continues contributing to community initiatives—his insights and advocacy promise to be invaluable in any conversation addressing child sexual abuse.

Elliott A. Beaton, PhD

Dr. Beaton is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of New Orleans and the Director of the Stress, Cognition, and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory. He studies how stress affects in brain development and function children and adolescents at ultra-high risk for developing serious mental illness in adulthood including anxiety, schizophrenia, and dementia.  The goal of his translational work is to inform diagnosis, prevention and mitigation by identifying and understanding early prodromal indicators.  To this end, Dr. Beaton uses functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging with network connectivity analyses and combines it with behavioral, psychophysiological, hormonal, and immunological stress measures. He has extensive experience working with and studying special populations of children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Beaton’s work has been funded by local, state, and national funding agencies, including the National Institutes of Mental Health.

Kristi Schubert, Trial Attorney

Kristi, an award-winning litigator, speaker, author, and advocate specializing in representing survivors of sexual abuse, is a dedicated proponent of educating the community on the legal rights of abuse survivors. Fiercely committed to securing justice for the men, women, and children she represents, Kristi has a successful track record litigating against diverse organizations. Recognized for her intelligence, effectiveness, and formidable litigation skills, Kristi approaches her work with compassion, tirelessly supporting each client throughout the justice process. Her advocacy spans all types of sexual offenses, including rape, child molestation, sexual assault, sex trafficking, and other forms of sexual exploitation. She works compassionately and tirelessly with each client to identify their needs and ensure they feel heard, understood, and supported throughout the entire justice process.

Letitia Peyton Bio

Letitia M. Peyton is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Tentmakers of Louisiana. She passionately engages in advocacy and policy work in this non-profit organization, including testifying before legislative bodies. Beyond her leadership in Tentmakers, Letitia is a seasoned professional with a rich Payroll and Human Resources history. From 1997 to 1998, she served as a Professional Payroll Assistant and Human Resources Assistant at Wright Enrichment in Crowley, LA, where she expertly managed employee payroll and benefits and coordinated various HR initiatives. Before that, Letitia was a Corporate Training Assistant at Georgia Gulf Corp. in Plaquemine, LA, from 1996 to 1997, facilitating multiple training programs. She began her corporate journey as a Certified Payroll Professional and Human Resources Assistant at Georgia Gulf Corporation in Atlanta, GA, from 1992 to 1996. Letitia is also a contributing author to the book “Abuse of Trust” by Allen Hebert and actively engages in freelance writing for publications. Her dedication extends to religious and community involvement, where she contributes to women’s groups, homeschooling initiatives, and community organizations. As a homemaker since 2002, Letitia continues her impactful work, combining her professional acumen with a passion for advocacy and community service.