Speaker Topics
Dawn McCarty is a dynamic and compelling speaker who masterfully blends her harrowing personal story with her 25 years of experience as a cybersecurity & Online Safety, and forensic expert. Her presentations are not just about survival; they are a masterclass in threat detection, psychological resilience, and the fight for justice.
I am the survivor of a crime that stole 44 years of my life.
In 1973, at four years old, I was abducted by my mother and systematically alienated from my father. This act of pathogenic parenting culminated in a fraudulent 1976 adoption that illegally severed my father's rights and a 1977 Mormon temple ceremony that "sealed" me to my abductor.
I spent my childhood in a "cult of two"—a toxic dynamic where one parent isolates a child, controls all information, and rewrites reality to enforce total dependency.
In 1973, at four years old, I was abducted by my mother and systematically alienated from my father. This act of pathogenic parenting culminated in a fraudulent 1976 adoption that illegally severed my father's rights and a 1977 Mormon temple ceremony that "sealed" me to my abductor.
I spent my childhood in a "cult of two"—a toxic dynamic where one parent isolates a child, controls all information, and rewrites reality to enforce total dependency.
This personal cult was amplified and legitimized by the doctrines of a larger one: the Mormon Church. My fraudulent adoption was manipulated to orchestrate my baptism and, ultimately, my temple "sealing" to my abductor, weaponizing faith itself to intensify the trauma.
In this environment, I experienced rejection, severe abuse, and a complete erasure of my identity. This is not just a family dispute; the U.S. Department of Justice defines family abduction as a serious crime, yet it remains a silent, sometimes ignored epidemic (US Department of Justice, 2010).
My story is not just about what was done to me; it's about how I fought back with the only tools I had: truth, tenacity, and a forensic mindset. My mission is to unseal the truth of my past by reversing my adoption and to use my unique expertise to protect children from the same hidden abuse I endured.
In this environment, I experienced rejection, severe abuse, and a complete erasure of my identity. This is not just a family dispute; the U.S. Department of Justice defines family abduction as a serious crime, yet it remains a silent, sometimes ignored epidemic (US Department of Justice, 2010).
My story is not just about what was done to me; it's about how I fought back with the only tools I had: truth, tenacity, and a forensic mindset. My mission is to unseal the truth of my past by reversing my adoption and to use my unique expertise to protect children from the same hidden abuse I endured.
A Unique Forensic Perspective
A childhood spent in survival mode develops a certain hyper-vigilance. This instinct, born from trauma, became a professional asset over my 25-year career in cybersecurity, vulnerability management, and Enterprise Security Governance. My formal forensic training gave me the methodology, with specialized instruction in areas like digital forensics, document examination, and network analysis from, but not limited to, world-class organizations:
Together, this dual lens of survivor and analyst trained me to see what others miss: how to identify threats, profile predators, analyze patterns of deception, and dismantle systems of control.
The Hostage Child:
Unsealing the Truth for the "Skipped Over" Kids
The prevailing myth about parental abduction is that the child is fundamentally safe and will simply "get over it" or reconnect after they turn 18. This talk demolishes that dangerous misconception. Drawing from her own lived experience and groundbreaking research, Dawn McCarty exposes the reality for the "Hostage Child"—a child who is not only a victim of a crime, but who is forced to depend on their captor for survival.
This presentation gives a voice to the "skipped over trauma kids" by exploring the devastating long-term consequences of family abduction. Research shows a staggering.
73.53% of adult survivors report suffering "very significant effects" on their mental health, including breakdowns, depression, and PTSD that last a lifetime. Survivors describe being "catapulted into an unknown, frightening and dangerous world" and being stripped of the developmental tools needed for adulthood, leading to lifelong struggles with trust, identity, and self-worth (Freeman, 2014, p.29). This talk is an unflinching look at why there is no "growing out of it" and a powerful call to action for society to finally recognize this overlooked form of child abuse.
This presentation gives a voice to the "skipped over trauma kids" by exploring the devastating long-term consequences of family abduction. Research shows a staggering.
73.53% of adult survivors report suffering "very significant effects" on their mental health, including breakdowns, depression, and PTSD that last a lifetime. Survivors describe being "catapulted into an unknown, frightening and dangerous world" and being stripped of the developmental tools needed for adulthood, leading to lifelong struggles with trust, identity, and self-worth (Freeman, 2014, p.29). This talk is an unflinching look at why there is no "growing out of it" and a powerful call to action for society to finally recognize this overlooked form of child abuse.
Audience Takeaways:
A Crime, Not a Custody Dispute:
A Forensic Analysis of a Stolen Childhood
In this gripping keynote, Dawn tells her personal story of being abducted by her mother, forced into a fraudulent adoption, and "sealed" within the LDS (Mormon) Church. She applies the same forensic lens she uses to analyze high-profile cold cases to the crime scene of her own childhood, dissecting the tactics of pathogenic parenting and undue influence. This is a powerful, unflinching look at how family abduction is a serious crime with devastating, long-term consequences.
Audience Takeaways:
Decoding the 'Cult of Two':
Identifying Undue Influence in Families & Religion
Why do people stay in abusive situations? How can a family unit begin to operate like a high-demand cult? In this talk, Dawn uses Dr. Steven Hassan's BITE model to move beyond her personal story and provide a universal framework for understanding undue influence. She demonstrates how the four key components—Behavior, Information, Thought, and Emotional Control—are used not only in cults but in toxic families, abusive relationships, religion, and even online radicalization.
Audience Takeaways:
Digital Defense:
A Cybersecurity Expert's Guide to Protecting Your Family
Drawing from her career as an Information Security Officer and her work in predator profiling, Dawn provides a no-nonsense guide to modern digital safety. She translates complex cybersecurity concepts into practical, actionable steps that any parent can take to protect their children from online predators, misinformation, and digital manipulation. This is not about fear; it's about empowerment.
Audience Takeaways:
Unsealing the Past:
The Fight to Reverse Fraudulent Adoptions
What happens when the legal process of adoption, meant to create stability, is instead used as the final seal on the crime of abduction? In this powerful advocacy talk, Dawn details her personal legal battle to reverse her own fraudulent 1976 adoption. She argues that this is not just about correcting a clerical error, but about restoring a stolen identity and legally acknowledging the truth of a crime.
This presentation goes beyond her individual case to make a compelling argument for legal reform. She exposes the often-overlooked trauma of "blended family adoptions" that result from parental alienation and abduction, where a child is forced to legally bond with an abuser. While traditional adoption can involve feelings of identity questioning, it is typically supported by a system designed to protect the child's interests. Dawn contrasts this with her experience, where the abductor actively works to "influence the child negatively" against the left-behind parent. She lays out a vision for a future where adult adoptees have a legal pathway to undo unwanted adoptions and reclaim their biological heritage.
This presentation goes beyond her individual case to make a compelling argument for legal reform. She exposes the often-overlooked trauma of "blended family adoptions" that result from parental alienation and abduction, where a child is forced to legally bond with an abuser. While traditional adoption can involve feelings of identity questioning, it is typically supported by a system designed to protect the child's interests. Dawn contrasts this with her experience, where the abductor actively works to "influence the child negatively" against the left-behind parent. She lays out a vision for a future where adult adoptees have a legal pathway to undo unwanted adoptions and reclaim their biological heritage.
Audience Takeaways:
Featured In
The Anatomy of a Crime: By the Numbers
1Years
SEPARATED from a Loving Father
1Years
BRUTAL VIOLENCE at the hands of a step "family member"
1
ILLEGAL ADOPTION built on lies and a falsified affidavit.
1
WOMAN determined to unseal the truth.
Hear from the Audience
Speaking & Media Inquiries
As a global child safety advocate and forensic expert, I am passionate about sharing my story and expertise to educate and empower audiences. I speak on topics including parental abduction, coercive control, deculting trauma, and the forensic analysis of psychological abuse.
For all speaking engagements, media appearances, and conference inquiries, please contact my exclusive agent:
For all speaking engagements, media appearances, and conference inquiries, please contact my exclusive agent:
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Resources
US. Department of Justice, (2010, May) The Crime of Family Abduction. Office of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention: Message From the Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. p.3
Freeman M. (2014, December 5) Parental Child Abduction: The Long-Term Effects. International Centre for Family Law, Policy, and Practice.