This course is designed for faith and child protection leaders who have completed Zero Abuse Project’s two-day Keeping Faith course. Attendees receive instruction on preventing abuse in vulnerable populations including children with disabilities and sexual and gender minority youth. There is also an in-depth workshop on the sexual behaviors of youth and a detailed exploration of the cognitive distortions of
Many maltreated children are spiritually impacted by abuse and require a coordination of medical, mental health, and spiritual care. This course examines this research and explores creative reforms for bringing faith and child protection communities together to protect children and address their needs. The course also explores how MDTs can recognize and respond to spiritual injuries before, during, and after
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
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
Students will receive an overview of the literature concerning the emotional abuse of a child and will receive concrete suggestions for investigating these cases and for proving an allegation of emotional abuse in either a civil child protection or a criminal case.
Many child protection professionals believe child abuse is likely to increase during the COVID-19 pandemic as most abusers are parents or siblings now have more complete access to the child victim. In turn, the victim may no longer have schoolteachers, faith leaders, or other mandated reporters accessible for help or who may be able detect a sign of abuse. Children
Although there is a large body of research finding medical and mental health risks associated with corporal punishment, most parents continue to hit their children as a means of discipline. In many instances, the practice is justified based on religious teachings. Using a case history, this presentation discusses the basis for these teaching and offers concrete, culturally sensitive approaches for
In the United States, hundreds of children have died and thousands more have endured pain or illness that could have been prevented with basic medical care. This workshop addresses instances in which medical care is withheld on the basis of religious belief. The workshop explores the basis for these beliefs and the possibility of working within myriad cultures to nonetheless
In this moving and hopeful address, students will learn the five obstacles that prevent us from ending child abuse and will learn about sweeping changes now taking place in our child protection system that will enable us to significantly reduce and perhaps eliminate child abuse over the course of the next three generations. The keynote is based on a scholarly
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
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.
A significant body of research finds that many abused children are impacted spiritually or have religious questions pertaining to the maltreatment. Failing to address these questions may impact a child physically and emotionally.
In this workshop, students will learn the importance of effective strategies and themes for opening statements and closing arguments in child abuse cases. Students will learn a theme for presenting their case. They will learn specific arguments to persuade a jury that a child is telling the truth. They will learn to debunk common defenses in child abuse cases.
In this workshop, an overview of the history of the child protection movement in the U.S. will be presented, including contributory societal forces and key leaders, role of the medical community in creating awareness and mandated reporting laws, and the role of federal legislation in creating child protection systems.
This workshop details normal and abnormal sexual behaviors of youth and offers concrete recommendations for treatment and other services for children with sexual behavior problems. How a child who has offended against others can be integrated back into a family or group setting, and when, will also be discussed.
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
Attendees will recieve an overview of Centers for Disease Control best practices for youth serving organizations in preventing or responding to cases of child abuse. Participants will receive concrete steps for applying the CDC standards to be able to protect or respond with excellence to cases of physical abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect.
In this workshop, students will learn the keys to a successful cross-examination. They will learn how to prepare and gain a thorough understanding of the case including the evidence to be presented by both sides, drafting cross-examination topics and questions, and understanding the limitations of cross-examination. Finally, students will learn concrete examples of how to box the witness into a
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
In this workshop, medical professionals will learn to prepare to testify in court with specifics to their profession. Students will also learn common cross-examination tactics and how to respond to them. Finally, students will learn how to handle themselves in a direct examination.
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.
In this workshop, students will learn about the dynamics of the forensic interview process. They will gain an understanding about memory and suggestibility and the proper interviewing techniques that will assist them in the forensic interviewing process.
The ongoing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) studies out of Kaiser Permanente and the Center for Disease Control suggest that childhood maltreatment and family dysfunction are major risk factors for the leading causes of illness, death and poor psychological adjustment in the United States. Cumulative adverse childhood events have a role in poor physical health, problematic health risk behaviors, learning challenges,
In this workshop, students receive an overview of the use of religion in justifying slavery, segregation and other oppressive practices. Students will also see the seeds of these teachings in modern day conspiracy theories. Armed with this knowledge, students will receive practical suggestions for addressing this aspect of historical trauma.
In this presentation, attendees learn creative strategies for photographing a crime scene that maximizes the chance the photographs can be utilized successfully in a court of law. Particular emphasis is placed on photographing a child sexual abuse scene as well as crime scenes that are several years old.
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.
