Trusted Adults iGuardian Training
This presentation takes an honest and thorough approach to the difficult topic of online CSEA. It includes an in-depth overview where HSI special agents describe the threats and trends they see in their investigations. They discuss real world case examples using national and local investigations to help attendees better understand how children and teens can be victimized online. This presentation also features public service announcements from important partners such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Thorn and ChildFund International.
About the Presenter
TRACY OWUSU: Is a Forensic Interview Specialist with the Victim Assistance Program of Homeland Security Investigations, who covers the areas of Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Tracy has over nineteen years’ experience working with child victims/witnesses and vulnerable adults of abuse, trauma, and violence. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Family Science and Criminology/ Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland- College Park where she was a College Park Scholars in the Advocates for Children Curriculum. Tracy has her Master of Arts Degree in Forensic Psychology from Argosy University. Ms. Owusu joined HSI from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of Columbia, where she gathered as many facts as possible about allegations of abuse in a non-leading and child friendly manner that causes no further harm or trauma to the victim and witnesses, as a Child Forensic Interview Specialist. She conducted forensic interviews of minor children and adults with special needs at the local and federal level. Tracy has experience preparing victims and witnesses for Grand Jury and for Court when children testify in criminal matters. She oversaw the USAO’s Victim Witness Assistance Unit’s Kids Court program. Ms. Owusu also served as a Victim Advocate in Sexual Offense and Domestic Violence cases, providing invaluable support and resources to the victims, witnesses, and family members she encountered. Ms. Owusu has assisted adult victims and next-of-kin family members with post-conviction cases (Compassionate Release and Incarceration Reduction Amendment Act/ IRAA) for criminal matters in Washington, D. C. Tracy also enjoys conducting training on best practices when working with child victims and witnesses. In 2022 and 2023, Tracy was asked by the country of Bangladesh, Department of Justice, and the Department of State to conduct training sessions to Prosecutors, Law Enforcement and Judges at their Gender- Based Violence Trainings in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which ignited her passion for conducting presentations and trainings on best practices. Prior to her work at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Tracy was a Victim Advocate and Child and Adolescent Forensic Interviewer with Safe Shores- the D.C. Children’s Advocacy Center for six years