The Redwood County Attorney’s Office, in collaboration with The Minnesota County Attorney’s Association (“MCAA”) and Zero Abuse Project (“ZAP”), hosted Investigating and Prosecuting Stalking, Sexual Assault, and Domestic Violence, a two day training which brought together professionals from agencies across the State including law enforcement, prosecution, advocates, and social workers who listened and learned from experts.

Michael Kelly, a former New Hanover County Schools teacher who pleaded guilty to 59 sex crimes against children in 2019, has been ordered to pay $140 million in damages to the 14 plaintiffs in a civil case. The estimation for damages was completed by Jeffery Dion, CEO of Zero Abuse Project.

John Stamos says he was sexually abused by his babysitter as a young child. The former “Full House” star made the heartbreaking revelation in advance of his upcoming book, “If You Would Have Told Me.” The 60-year-old told People magazine that he tried to “pack it away,” but that “it took me writing a book,” to realize what he accuses the babysitter of was inappropriate.

Organizations and individuals from all across South Dakota made their way to Sioux Falls Thursday, meeting and discussing plans to combat child abuse in the state. Not only are more resources and training needed, more people overall are needed to help work towards a solution. Victor Vieth, CPO for Zero Abuse Project, stepped up as the first keynote speaker of the conference. His message to those in attendance is for more education for people like teachers, doctors, and more to help better spot and prevent abuse.

Listen to the discussion about the new Netflix documentary, “Scouts Honor: The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts of America,” and its impact on the community of survivors featuring actor and advocate Anthony Edwards and Zero Abuse Project staff and Board members.

Hancock County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Aimee Herring was one of a handful of professionals across the state invited to present at the Indiana ChildFirst Forensic Interview training as a part of Zero Abuse Project’s National Forensic Interview Training — a five-day, 37-hour course. “When we come to the table with the common goal of protecting children, we can all learn something from each other,” Herring said.

On Sept. 6, Netflix will debut “Scouts Honor: The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts of America,” a documentary about how one of the largest youth organizations in the U.S. — with over 700,000 members — tried to cover up one of the most widespread child sexual abuse scandals in history. The project will prominently feature Zero Abuse Project Board member, Detective Michael Johnson.

Zero Abuse Project recognizes that training is not often available around forensic science and evidence collection; in response, the organization has created a resource that empowers law enforcement and prosecutors working child maltreatment cases.

Governor Wes Moore has signed legislation which eliminates the civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse, effective October 1, 2023. The bill was signed days after the release of the Maryland Attorney General’s report documenting the sexual abuse of over 600 children by priests and others within the Archdiocese of Baltimore. READ MORE

Teams of law enforcement officers, child advocates, prosecuting attorneys, doctors, and others who investigate sex crimes against children received a special training from Zero Abuse Project’s signature forensic interview program, ChildFirst. The event was the first in-person version of this crucial training to happen in-person in Indiana since the pandemic began in 2020. READ MORE