Skip to content
  • About
    • Our Team
    • Mission & Vision
    • Board of Directors
    • Our Story
    • Careers
    • Financials
  • For Professionals
    • Training Catalog
    • Featured Training
    • Research & Publications
    • Trauma-informed Prosecutor Project (TiPP)
    • ChildFirst® Forensic Interview Training
    • Child Advocacy Studies (CAST)
    • Online Store
  • For Victims/Survivors
    • Get Help Now
    • Video Resources
    • Jacob Wetterling Resource Center
    • Statute of Limitations Reform
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Events & Training
    • Upcoming Events & Training
    • 2023 Summit
    • Past Events
  • News
    • Recent News
    • Press Releases
  • Contact
  • Donate
Menu
  • About
    • Our Team
    • Mission & Vision
    • Board of Directors
    • Our Story
    • Careers
    • Financials
  • For Professionals
    • Training Catalog
    • Featured Training
    • Research & Publications
    • Trauma-informed Prosecutor Project (TiPP)
    • ChildFirst® Forensic Interview Training
    • Child Advocacy Studies (CAST)
    • Online Store
  • For Victims/Survivors
    • Get Help Now
    • Video Resources
    • Jacob Wetterling Resource Center
    • Statute of Limitations Reform
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Events & Training
    • Upcoming Events & Training
    • 2023 Summit
    • Past Events
  • News
    • Recent News
    • Press Releases
  • Contact
  • Donate
Search
Close
DONATE

Trauma-informed Prosecutor Project (TiPP)

Home » For Professionals » Trauma-informed Prosecutor Project (TiPP)

  • About
  • Instructors
  • Publications
  • News
  • Technical Assistance
  • Successes


The Trauma-informed Prosecutor Project (TiPP) aims to increase the effectiveness of the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases through providing state-of-the-art training, offering comprehensive technical assistance, and developing free publications addressing issues in the field.

Training

  • State and Local Training
    Zero Abuse Project has a selection of 90-minute topics suited for prosecutors and other MDT members. 
  • Prosecutor Institutes
    Two-day training institutes for child abuse prosecutors on opening statements, closing arguments, preparing children for court, cross-examination of defendants and defense witnesses, and advanced topics selected by the host sites. Zero Abuse Project will work with regional Children’s Advocacy Centers to offer a Prosecutor Institute in each of the four census regions. 
  • Forensic Interviewing Training
  • Experiential Training Courses
    • Forensic Interviewer at Trial
    • Crime Scene to Trial
    • Experiential Trial Advocacy Course
    • DNA on Trial: From Collection to Conviction
    • A Reasonable Degree of Prosecution Certainty: Expert Witness at Trial

National Conferences

  • Abusive Head Trauma and Child Death Conference hosted by Zero Abuse Project
    During this multi-day conference, multidisciplinary subject matter experts from the field will address topics such as medical findings and literature, investigation techniques, improved multidisciplinary approach, preparation and direct examination of the state’s experts, preparation and cross-examination of defense experts, pre-trial litigation, and topics around professional well-being.  Zero Abuse will incorporate best practices in adult learning by supplementing lecture-based training modalities with scenario-based, experiential exercises. Dates are still to be determined – check back here for updates.
  • We are pleased to provide training under TiPP at other national conferences:
    • The International Symposium on Child Abuse
    • American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) Colloquium
    • Dallas Crimes Against Children Conference

Technical Assistance
Prosecutors and investigators may request free technical assistance with their child abuse cases including, customized cross-examinations of the defendant or defense expert, personalized tips for preparing children for court, building direct examinations, and more.

Publications
Review both practical and scholarly articles that address the needs of frontline child abuse professionals in our Publications Directory.

Interactive, On-Demand Training Platform
Coming soon!

CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE

Testimonials

"I cannot say enough excellent things about my experience with the instructors and groups in the Crime Scene all day session! These people had excellent presentations, personalities, the whole package!! The interactive hands on crime scene investigation with our groups was so well prepared and it was quite obvious that everyone in the room was satisfied with what these leaders brought to us to experience. Their dynamics together were great and the presentation is most definitely something they should continue to take on the road!! Job WELL DONE!!"

Workshop Attendee

Florida Krimes Against Kids Conference

"I took away a lot of great ideas from not only the instructors, but also from my fellow participants. This was one of the most beneficial parts of the training to get ideas from others currently practicing…You don't always get to surround yourself in a training of this type with prosecutors who have as much experience specifically in child abuse cases as those that did at this training and to also have the time to listen to feedback and converse about ideas.”

Attendee

Experiential Trial Advocacy Course

"I have been a prosecutor for 8 years and gone to many trial techniques classes and workshops. This was the best opening and closing statement workshop I have ever attended!"

Workshop Attendee

Dallas Crimes Against Children Conference

"Excellent balance of topics for new and experienced attorneys. The role exercise was helpful. Although folks may be hesitant to volunteer it is great for feedback and learning. Presenters were entertaining and knowledgeable. Lastly, continued topics on technology are helpful for prosecutors in rural counties."

Attendee

Stopping Technology-Facilitated Abuse of Rural Kids (STARK)

"I feel much more prepared to address attacks by defense experts and future cases. I also feel more confident about what I need to be addressing in front of the jury and how to help my investigators do a better job."

Attendee

Forensic Interviewer at Trial

"Thank you so much. The time, information, and experience you have shared with me - for free - is invaluable. Also, I do not in any way think it is hyperbole to state that the affect your organization has is literally changing the world and making it better for the most innocent and vulnerable demographic."

Technical Assistance

"We have received positive anecdotal feedback from many participants in the training saying they found it extremely valuable. For example, an elected DA is using information and techniques he learned about investigation of child abuse cases to train his local detectives. This DA was so impressed with the investigative lessons he learned that he is using it to train all the detectives, not just those involved with child abuse investigations. Specifically, he was impressed with the instruction concerning follow up and seeking corroborating information.

Overall, our feedback from the attendees was extremely positive."

Host Agency

Prosecutor Institute

"I learned more in three days than I did in three years."

Attendee

Crime Scene to Trial

Every bit of the material this week was so helpful, and I can legitimately see myself using so much of the material in my every day job. I loved how much everything was backed with research. A lot of this I already knew, but it was refreshing and encouraging to see so much research back it all up. The ChildFirst binder is such an exciting resource to use in the future for motions, arguments, and questions for witnesses. THANK YOU, THANK YOU for this training. It was invaluable.

Attendee

ChildFirst® National Training

Instructors

Caitie Dahl

Forensic Interview Specialist and Trainer

Rita Farrell

Director, ChildFirst®

Rachel Johnson

Lead Forensic Interview Specialist

Kathleen Nolan

Senior Attorney

Robert Peters

Senior Attorney

Tomiko Mackey

Senior Trainer
Victor Vieth

Victor Vieth

Chief Program Officer, Education & Research

Publications

COMING SOON! Getting Forensic Interviews Admitted: 11 Strategies for Child Abuse Prosecutors

This publication is a practical companion to our treatise on Child Statement and Forensic Interview Admissibility. The publication synthesizes case law, state statutes, and...

March 16, 2023

COMING SOON! Duel of the Fates: 22 Cross-Examination Techniques for Child Abuse Prosecutors

This new publication explores the nuanced techniques necessary for cross-examination in child abuse cases. The guide provides 22 techniques split into four categories ranging...

March 16, 2023

All the Pieces Matter: Evaluating Digital Forensic Expert Witnesses

As court cases increasingly involve the use of digital evidence, the demand for experts who can evaluate how that evidence was collected and analyzed—and...

December 20, 2022

Not Another Bite at the Apple: Individualizing the Forensic Interview Process to Meet the Child’s Needs

This new publication from Zero Abuse Project discusses best practice and different modalities for conducting forensic interviews. We can no longer only consider...

December 20, 2022

The Use of Trial Exhibits in Cases of Child Abuse

Trial exhibits can tell a story, compare and contrast, persuade, and help jurors reach judgments. This paper is how trial lawyers can show...

December 20, 2022

When the Smoke Clears: Cross-Examining the Defense Expert’s Attack on a Forensic Interview

The article provides practical tips for cross examining a defense expert called to critique the quality of a forensic interview. The importance of using...

December 20, 2022

Interviewing Lucas: A Case on Polyvictimization

"Interviewing Lucas" is a case-study on polyvictimization that examines the importance of screening for all forms of maltreatment during child forensic interviews and highlights...

September 29, 2022

Where the Boys Are: Investigating & Prosecuting Cases of Child Sexual Abuse When the Victim is Male

This article explores the research on the sexual abuse of boys and offers concrete suggestions for conducting forensic interviews with these children, investigating crimes...

June 21, 2022

Exigency and Encrypted Cloud Accounts (Part 2)

This article provides 7 advanced strategies for prosecutors, as well as guidance for dealing with cloud providers and other stakeholders. Zero Abuse Project developed...

June 2, 2022

Exigency and Encrypted Cloud Accounts (Part 1)

This article provides 8 introductory considerations for prosecutors, and addresses the complexity and challenges faced when working cases involving remotely stored and encrypted data....

June 2, 2022
VIEW ALL

TiPP News & Events

Follow us on social media for the latest news and events regarding the Trauma-informed Prosecutor Project of Zero Abuse Project.

Facebook Twitter Linkedin

Informative Videos

Play
Play
Play
Previous
Next

the support you need

Technical Assistance

Prosecutors, law enforcement, forensic interviewers and MDT members may request free technical assistance with their child abuse cases including: 

  • customized cross-examinations of the defendant or defense expert
  • developing themes for closing arguments 
  • tips for preparing children for court
  • building direct examinations
  • collaborative investigative approaches
  • forensic interview consultations
  • testifying in court
Request Technical Assistance

coming soon

Interactive, On-Demand Training

Zero Abuse Project will be launching an interactive training simulation platform, enabling prosecutors to:

  • walk through the entire timeline of a child abuse prosecution
  •  make decisions at different stages of the prosecution
  • learn best practices for prosecutorial intersections with abuse investigations
  • practice trial skills in realistic scenarios
  • receive automated, real-time feedback to these choices and their effects on both victim interactions and case outcome. 

Trauma-informed Prosecutor Project

Success Stories

  • <Success stories from previous grant>
  • <Re-awarded grant> 

Need Assistance?

Our team is here to support you in your child abuse investigation or prosecution. Contact us today to schedule training or request technical assistance.

This project was supported by Awards 15PJDP-22-GK-03979-JJVO and 2019-CI-FX-K006 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Justice.

STAY CONNECTED

We need your help to protect children from abuse! Sign up to stay connected and learn about upcoming events and announcements!

Facebook Twitter Youtube Envelope Rss
Subscribe

ABOUT

Zero Abuse Project is a 501(c)(3) organization committed to the elimination of child sexual abuse. Our programs are designed to provide training and education to professionals and students, and to help transform institutions to effectively prevent, recognize, and respond to child sexual abuse.

NAVIGATION

  • About
  • News
  • Events
  • For Professionals
  • For Victims/Survivors
  • Contact

CONTACT US

Jacob Wetterling Resource Center
(800) 325-HOPE (4673)

Zero Abuse Project Headquarters
366 Jackson Street, Suite 300
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 714-4673

Virginia Office
1450 Duke St
Alexandria, VA 22314
(651) 714-4673
DONATE
© 2023 Zero Abuse Project. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. EIN: 82-4614993

Request Technical Assistance

TiPP Technical Assistance Request