PAPER NOT PLASTIC*

A workshop for writers on collecting forensic evidence in cases of sexual assault

Presented by nurse-author Kathy Cottrell

* under a different title, this was named one of the top 20 favorites at Dallas, 2004!!



ISSUE: Where it concerns sexual victimization, too many writers rely on information garnered from print and/or electronic media as well as what they've read in other works of fiction. Print and electronic media either "pretties it up" or "uglies it down" to increase viewer/reader numbers, thereby improving ratings. In both cases the viewer/reader receives biased information ["well, gee, I saw it on CSI or Law and Order or ER so it must be true!"] then goes on to use the information, considering it to be gospel.



REALITY: It ain't like it is on TV, in the movies or newspaper, or that NYT best-seller. No writer deserves to learn, after the fact, that a reader with knowledge and experience threw their book against the wall due to blatant inaccuracies.



GOAL OF THE WORKSHOP: to educate and inform writers of the issues, myths and misconceptions which surround sexual assault; the intricacies of caring and advocating for victim/survivors; and how the collection of forensic evidence can aid in the apprehension and [hopefully] successful prosecution of sexual predators.



METHODS: group participation, ice-breaker exercises, "show and tell" [i.e. a real evidence kit], question and answers. Handouts, including bibliography lists, will be available. Kathy will cite her favorite authors who have done their homework. How to utilize local resources will be explored.



LENGTH: tailored to the needs of the participants and conference/workshop coordinators. Minimum ninety minutes



Paper Not Plastic, Comprehensive Outline



  1. Ice Breaker: Last Sexual Experience

  1. Something Happened and it's ramifications. If no report to LLE, explain proxy report

  2. Detailed Description of a Forensic Exam, Includes medical and emotional follow up needs for the survivor.

  3. Resources for the writer--see handouts

  4. Writers Who Have Done Their Homework--IMHO

    1. David Wiltse. The Becker series. [ASCSA/ASCPA]

    2. PF Rowell. A Scandalous Situation. [PTSD/Sig Other issues]

    3. Nora Roberts. The "Night" Series: Nightshade. [ASCSA]

Angels Fall. [PTSD]

    1. JD Robb. "Death" Series [ASCSA]

    2. Philip Margolin. Ties That Bind. [PTSD]

    3. Sandra Brown. Breath of Scandal. [Surviving gang assault]

    4. Kathryn Shay. On The Line/Nothing More To Lose. [PTSD]

    5. Eileen Dreyer. Sinners And Saints [ASCSA/PTSD]





THEY AIN'T ALL NAMED BUNDY, DAHMER AND GACEY*

A workshop for writers on identifying sexual predators

Presented by nurse-author Kathy Cottrell

*presented to Maryland Romance Writers, May, 2007 and RWA Conference, Dallas, 2007





ISSUE: Where it concerns sexual predators, too many authors rely on information garnered from print and/or electronic media as well as what they've read in other novels. The media either "pretties up" rapists and pedophiles or "uglies them down" to increase viewer numbers, thereby improving ratings. In both cases the viewer/reader receives biased information ["well, gee, I saw it on the 6 o'clock news, Law and Order, or the Lifetime channel so it must be accurate!"] then goes on to use that information as gospel.



REALITY: It ain't like what you see on TV or in the movies, or read in the newspaper or that NYT best-seller. Sex offenders are your next door neighbor, your boyfriend's best friend, your best friend's husband, your spouse's boss, your boss, your mother. They can be, and often are, found anywhere, from all socioeconomic groups, practicing every profession. They are smooth, slick and comfortable in what they do. If they say, "I'm sorry", it's not because they regret the harm they've done; it's because they were caught!



GOAL OF THE WORKSHOP: to educate and inform writers of the issues, myths and misconceptions which surround sexual predators, how they choose, entrap and gain the compliance of their victims.



METHODS: group participation, ice-breaker exercises, "show and tell" [i.e. high and low profile cases] question and answers. Handouts, including bibliography lists, will be available. Kathy will cite her favorite authors who have done their homework. How to utilize local resources will be explored.



LENGTH: tailored to the needs of the participants and conference/workshop coordinators. Minimum of ninety minutes

Predators, Comprehensive Outline



  1. Ice Breaker Exercise: Last Sexual Experience



  1. Offender Types



  1. To know the offender, look at the victim



  1. Legal and Non-Legal Process [proxy report]



  1. Resources for the writer--see handouts



  1. Writers Who Have Done Their Homework--IMHO

    1. David Wiltse. The Becker series. [offender profiles]

    2. Derek VanArman. Just Killing Time. [serial offender profiles]

    3. PF Rowell A Scandalous Situation. [post-offense behaviors]

    4. JD Robb. "Death" Series [pedophile]

    5. Philip Margolin. Ties That Bind. [offender profile]

    6. Sandra Brown. Hello Darkness [offender profiles].

    7. Eileen Dreyer. Sinners and Saints [pedophiles]





THE WIT AND WISDOM OF VICTIM ADVOCATES*

A workshop for writers on the profession of victim advocacy

Presented by nurse-author Kathy Cottrell

Question: what's the difference between a barracuda and a victim advocate?

Answer: lip gloss



Scenario: two victims of a hit and run are brought into the ER near death, and put on life support. As both patients are carrying organ donor cards, each is considered a possible heart donor. One is a 50 year-old male attorney, in fair health, who was crossing the street on his way to his professional office of Dewey, Cheatum and Howe. The second victim, a thirty year-old female, was jogging to work at Bleeding Heart's Advocacy Center. She is in excellent health and has worked as a victim advocate since college. After extensive discussions among the professionals, the attorney is considered the better candidate for donation.

Why: Her heart was too used up.



REALITY: Victim advocates are not all young, man-hating feminists who carry around huge chips on their shoulders. Most are under-appreciated, over-worked and underpaid. We are homemakers, teachers, social workers, nurses, exotic dancers, drug and alcohol counselors, secretaries, dog walkers, writers and readers. Some of us walk around with their hair sticking out in all directions; others are dressed to the nines no matter the time of day or night. If we wear lip gloss it's usually chewed off after ten minutes. When we smile, we occasionally resemble a barracuda, though often Jaws would be more appropriate.



GOAL OF THE WORKSHOP: to educate and inform writers about a little known, under- appreciated profession. What draws people into "the life"? What keeps them there? What drives them away? What are the possibilities for story lines?

LENGTH: tailored to the needs of the participants and conference coordinators. Minimum 60 minutes.



Wit and Wisdom, Comprehensive Outline





  1. Ice Breaker: Sexual Body Parts



  1. Lights, Camera, Action: The lure of victim advocacy



  1. The joys



  1. The drawbacks



  1. Resources for the writer--see handouts