Ending Violence Against Women
Promoting safety and health for victims and communities
EVAW Program
The EVAW Project is a multidisciplinary, collaborative program that provides specialized training to criminal justice agencies and community-based programs on cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.
Staff
Meet the people who work tirelessly to improve the criminal justice response to violence against women and other victims.
Trainings
The EVAW project offers best practices and technical assistance for prosecution, investigation and victim advocacy.
Partners
Collaboration between CDAC, law enforcement and nonprofit victim advocates is the cornerstone of the EVAW program’s success.
Linda Johnston
Project Director
Since 2005, Linda Johnston has been a member of the CDAC team serving as EVAW Project Director. She is responsible for developing curriculum, recruiting trainers and providing training and resources that support a coordinated community response. Driven by the belief that everyone deserves to pursue their dreams without fear of abuse or sexual violence, Linda has been advocating for victims for over 25 years as a bilingual advocate and attorney.
Lois Buckman
Training Coordinator
Lois Buckman joined CDAC in 2017 to provide operational support for the EVAW program, facilitating and collecting data for multidisciplinary, live training sessions presented throughout rural Colorado. She also manages the production and recording of live webinars to extend outreach. Lois previously served as a victim advocate, office manager and director of operations for the district attorney’s office in Colorado’s 18th judicial district and was the clerk of the court for the town of Bennett.
2024 EVAW Trainings
professionals trained
trainings hours
trainings in rural communities
EVAW Trainings
Advanced Victim Advocacy
Understand criminal justice procedures to work effectively with law enforcement and prosecutors to provide a continuum of support and resources to victims.
Disability & Abuse
Recognize exploitation or abuse of at-risk adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, understand mandatory reporting and learn communication skills.
Domestic Violence Investigations
Understand victim and offender dynamics and develop successful investigation and report-writing techniques through case examples and skill-building activities.
Expert Witness Testimony
Discover how to effectively utilize an expert witness, learn the relevant case law regarding their testimony and strengthen courtroom skills.
Forensic Exams & Reporting Options
Understand the role of a forensic nurse, reporting options under Colorado law, who is responsible for the cost of evidence collection and how to access services.
Intimate Partner Violence
Recognize the many forms of abuse that take place in relationships and understand the complex needs of victims to support safety and accountability.
Predominant Aggressor Analysis
Use contextual analysis to identify offender coercive control – including when both parties have used force – and recognize problems with improper or dual arrests.
Prosecuting the Case
Develop case-building strategies and evidence-based practices for the investigation and successful prosecution of intimate partner violence cases.
Protection Orders
Understand the various types of protection orders available to victims and how to enforce this important tool that supports individual and community safety.
Sex Assault Involving College Students
Identify best practices of sexual assault investigations with a Colorado-specific lens of serving college students who may also be involved with a Title IX investigation.
Sex Offender Sentencing
Understand sex crimes and punishments under Colorado law, sex offender treatment requirements and criteria for being discharged.
Sexual Assault Response
Develop procedures for a multidisciplinary approach to sexual violence through trauma-informed practices and a coordinated response.
Stalking
Address challenges of stalking cases with thorough investigations, evidence preservation and collection, and strategies for interviewing victims and suspects.
Strangulation
Learn how to identify the dangerous act of strangulation, charge appropriately and collect evidence for a thorough investigation that can save lives.
Trauma-Informed Interviewing
Discover the effects of trauma, and practical interview techniques for effective evidence gathering and enhanced investigations of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Our Training Experts
Prosecutors
Experienced attorneys who consider victim experiences and rights to achieve outcomes that promote justice and prevent future acts of violence.
Law Enforcement
Investigators who use innovative, offender-focused strategies to build strong cases through effective interviews, reports and collaboration.
Victim Advocates
Community-based and criminal justice victim-services providers who collaborate to support victims and help them navigate the path toward safety and healing.
Medical Providers
Forensic nurse examiners specially trained in trauma-informed care and evidence-collection for patients impacted by violence or abuse.
"I can think of at least five cases where the information learned today would have come in handy."
Olathe Police Officer
Advisory Board
The EVAW Advisory Board meets quarterly to to review the training and technical assistance provided, as well as provide input on curriculum, trainers and potential new topics to support a coordinated response. The Advisory Board is comprised of staff members from our partner organizations:
