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Welcome to the Zero Abuse Project Training Catalog!

You can use the filters on the to browse the full scope of training Zero Abuse Project is able to offer for your organization. Please note that the On Demand filter can be used to quickly identify our trainings that have been pre-recorded and are available to watch. Most other trainings are available for organizations to book on a fee-for-service basis.

Through our Trauma-informed Prosecutor Project, we are able to offer a select menu of trainings for Prosecutors and other MDT members at no cost. Please select the Trauma-informed Prosecutor Project filter to view these trainings.

If you are an individual seeking training, please visit our Events & Training Calendar to view and register for upcoming trainings hosted by Zero Abuse Project. Unfortunately, Zero Abuse Project cannot book an individual’s request for training.

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A Voice for the Silent Victim: Corroborating Cases of Non-verbal and Unavailable Victims

When a victim cannot speak for themselves, the investigative team plays a crucial role in constructing a case on their behalf. Establishing a timeline of events stands as a fundamental element within any child maltreatment investigation. Discover the art of collaboration with the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) to identify pertinent collateral interviews, facilitating corroboration, and utilizing legal processes effectively to bolster

Sexting Behavior: Coercion and Consent

This session will take a detailed look at the layered dynamics involved youth-produced sexual images and how professionals can respond. Special attention will be given to the systems response in these cases and questions that will often arise when forensic interviewers and other MDT professionals are faced with clients who have created their own sexual images.

The Big Disconnect: Prosecutor and Forensic Interviewer Collaboration

Forensic Interviewers are often utilized as fact witnesses to testify in court when they have conducted an interview in the matter at hand. Forensic Interviewers across the country have also been retained as expert witness to discuss dynamics, behaviors, and traits that are common in cases of child maltreatment per their training and experience. This session will discuss the breadth

Intent versus Impact: Examining and Improving Interactions with Child Victims and Their Non-Offending Caregivers

Using case studies, concrete examples and research, this presentation will provide strategies for engaging with these populations in an intentional way, with a focus on balancing investigative needs and the benefits of rapport-building and affirmative interactions. Other topics that will be covered include examining intent versus impact in interactions with children and families and suggestions for improving communication amongst MDT

Understanding the Process: Supervising Forensic Interviewers

An understanding of the forensic interviewing process is essential for supervisors in order to assist in the growth of their interviewers and to gain familiarity with the required peer review and mentoring processes. This advanced workshop includes a history and overview of the ChildFirst® Forensic Interviewing Protocol and discusses best practices in the field, new research, and the process for

Rapport: It’s Not Just a Phase!

Although there are multiple nationally recognized forensic interviewing models in use, the importance of building and maintaining rapport is emphasized in each process. While these models all implement steps or phases labeled as “rapport,” what does it really mean to build rapport with each individual child? This session will discuss research-based and best-practice informed steps to establishing rapport. We will

Rural and Interfamilial Trafficking

There is an increased public awareness around the prevalence, impact and salience of sex trafficking, human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. When allegations of trafficking and exploitation are made known to law enforcement and social services, the forensic interview process can be an effective tool for gathering victim statements and assessing what has occurred. This training will discuss the specifics

Peer Review with an Eye Toward Corroboration – For Prosecutors and MDTs

In conducting peer review of forensic interviewers, it is important not only to critique the question types and adherence to a protocol, but also to critique whether or not the interviewer asked questions that would elicit information that can be corroborated by the multi-disciplinary team. This workshop provides concrete information to expand the peer review process to include this critical

The Dynamics of Child Abuse

Each child who has experienced maltreatment goes through their own process of disclosure, and experiences intersecting dynamics and barriers to making a disclosure. There are many misconceptions about how and when children disclose based on adult norms and realities; it’s important that child maltreatment professionals understand the dynamics of child abuse so they can take a holistic approach in educating teams, juries, and

Preparing Children for our Process: Finding the Balance Between Saying Too Much, but Not Saying Enough

Effectively preparing children and families for our forensic interview process can greatly enhance the effectiveness of the forensic interview, but teams often worry about how and when to engage families and non-offending caregivers prior to the interview and in what way. This training provides guidance on how to prepare children and families for our process including the difference between minimal

Where the Boys Are: Investigating and Prosecuting Cases of CSA When the Victim is Male

Most sexually abused boys will never make an outcry during childhood and, even if abuse is discovered, investigators and prosecutors will face barriers that impede their ability to protect these children. This workshop explores the research on the sexual abuse of boys and offers concrete suggestions for conducting forensic interviews with these children, investigating crimes against boys, and presenting these

Tech-Facilitated Crimes and the Forensic Interview

This workshop will explore the effective use of the forensic interview process when responding to technology facilitated crimes against children. In addition to building awareness about the current state of the technological landscape, this workshop will address misconceptions about the nature and prevalence of technology-facilitated child abuse. This workshop will equip forensic interviewers and investigative MDTs with tools, skills and

The Use of Interpreters in the Forensic Interview: A Training for Interpreters

Promoting the effective communication between forensic interviewers and the presenting child is a critical part of the forensic interview process. Facilitating this effective communication sometimes requires the use of an interpreter in the forensic interview. This workshop, intended for interpreters, will offer a foundational knowledge of CACs, MDTs and forensic interview process. It will also familiarize interpreters with tools and

Considering Grooming and Manipulation in the Forensic Interview

Grooming behaviors are estimated to be present in nearly half of all child sexual abuse cases. It is important for child abuse professionals to recognize manipulative patterns and behaviors that offenders employ to groom their victims for compliance with abuse and non-disclosure, so interventions can be made as early as possible. This training will provide professionals with information on what

Understanding Child Abuse and the CAC and MDT Response

This course provides an overview of the dynamics of child abuse as well as the systems that respond to child abuse and maltreatment.

A Very Particular Set of Skills: Investigating Human Trafficking

Moving cases from the investigation stage to prosecution is particularly difficult in the context of human trafficking, and successful human trafficking investigations require a unique approach. This workshop addresses potential avenues of corroboration, technology-facilitated human trafficking, proactive strategies, and investigative resources.

Anatomical Dolls and Diagrams: Understanding the Research and Putting into Practice

The training provides multidisciplinary team members an understanding of the research and proper use to assist with investigation and prosecution when forensic interviews include the use of interviewing aids of anatomical dolls and diagrams. While the practice of using anatomical dolls and diagrams is sometimes seen as contentious in the field of forensic interviewing, research shows the appropriate use of

Serving LGBTQIA+ Children and Families in the MDT Process

This course will provide an overview of affirmative practices for all multidisciplinary team (MDT) professionals supporting and serving LGBTQIA+ children, youth and families when responding to child abuse and maltreatment. In addition to providing an overview of gender and sexuality terminology, some of the topics covered will include cultural considerations when working with LGBQTIA+ children, youth and families, advocacy, preparing

Interviewing Reluctant Children

Children face many barriers when disclosing child abuse and maltreatment. Research tells us that even in cases where there is external corroborating evidence children only disclose 42-50% of the time in the formal interview. This training provides guidance on how to address reluctance in the forensic interview process, specifically with regard to the multidisciplinary team response, how to prepare children

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

Many defense attorneys attempt to deflect juror attention away from a child’s allegations of abuse by attacking the manner in which the child was interviewed. The implicit or explicit claim is that the interviewer purposefully or unwittingly planted the allegation of abuse in the child’s mind. Fearful of the anticipated attack on the investigative interview, some prosecutors decline to file

When a Child Stands Alone: The Search for Corroborating Evidence

There is corroborating evidence in every case of child abuse, including cases of sexual abuse. Using actual vignettes, the presenter helps attendees see corroborating evidence that is almost always present but often missed. Working as team, students will learn to tear apart a child’s statement and find the corroborating physical evidence in cases of child sexual abuse.

When Faith Hurts: Effective MDT Responses to the Spiritual Impact of Child Abuse

Many maltreated children are spiritually impacted by abuse and require a coordination of medical, mental health, and spiritual care. This slightly shortened presentation suitable as a keynote examines this research and explores creative reforms for bringing faith and child protection communities together to protect children and address their needs. The workshop also explores how MDTs can recognize and respond to

Understanding the Impact of Trauma on Boys

In this workshop, attendees will receive an overview of the impact of trauma on children with a special focus on how sexual abuse, physical abuse, and other forms of trauma impact boys. Research suggests boys who have endured trauma are more reluctant to disclose abuse and, when they do, less likely to receive services. In light of these dynamics, the

Recognizing and Responding to the Spiritual Impact of Child Abuse

This workshop will provide an overview of the impact of child abuse on the spirituality of victims. In addition to an overview of research on this subject, students will receive concrete suggestions for assisting children in overcoming spiritual blocks that may impair the ability of a child to discuss maltreatment. The workshop includes a discussion on coordinating medical and mental

The Day of Reckoning: Testifying in Court

In this workshop students will learn to prepare for testifying in court, including common cross-examination tactics and how to respond to them. Finally, students will learn how to handle themselves in a direct examination.