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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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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

Utilizing Physical and Digital Evidence to Corroborate Difficult Cases

Corroborative evidence can often be the deciding factor on whether or not a case moves forward for charging. Many cases of abuse and assault often appear to only have the victim and suspect as the “witnesses”. This presentation will explore ways that police and prosecutors can look beyond those two witnesses and identify ways to present compelling, corroborating evidence. Using traditional

Know Before You Go: Effective Patrol Officer Response to Vulnerable Victim Cases

The first contact in an investigation can have a significant impact on the case as a whole. Law enforcement and child protection workers, who are often the first responders, need to be armed with the knowledge to competently and effectively begin the case. Prosecutors need to work in cooperation with their MDT partners in order to communicate the elements of

Is This My Job? Ethical Issues for Prosecutors in Sensitive Victim Cases

This presentation will address the issues experienced by every prosecutor who handles cases with sensitive victims, traumatized families and emotional witnesses. Ethical questions may arise when boundary lines are blurred due to the expectations many victims and families have for prosecutors to provide support in multiple roles. Recognizing applicable rules of professional responsibility for prosecutors and their interactions with families

The Least of These: Implementing Child Protection Policies, Personal Safety Education, and other Reforms to Keep Safe the Children God has Entrusted to our Churches & Schools

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 6 boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18. More than one out of four children will be beaten to the point of injury and 13% will witness their mother beaten. One out of ten will be denied food, clothing, shelter, medical

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

Crime Scene and Online Child Exploitation Investigations (One-Day Experiential Training)

Participants will receive and apply instruction on crime scene investigation, technology-facilitated crimes against children investigation, and child abuse suspect interrogation. Each team will have the opportunity to interact with a mock crime scene, seek remotely stored data and other evidence through legal process, interrogate actor(s) portraying child abuse suspects, and make charging decisions based on the results.

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

Investigating, Interviewing and Prosecuting Child Sexual Abuse Cases Involving Male Victims

This workshop examines research showing the unique dynamics present when boys are sexually abused and then offers concrete suggestions for conducting forensic interviews with boys, investigating cases involving male victims, and prosecuting these cases in court.

Pursuing Justice: A Survivor and a Psychologist Journey from Forensic Interview to Trial and Beyond

Reviewing a child sexual assault case from 2004-2006, this unique presentation taught by a child sexual abuse survivor and a forensic psychologist walks you hand and hand from forensic interview to trial. You will learn how to avoid common pitfalls to prevent re-traumatization of the survivor and how to support a survivor despite what happens in the process in a

Don’t Believe Your Lying Eyes: Introducing Visual Evidence in the Courtroom

Recent high profile cases have highlighted challenges–predictable and less so–to the introduction of visual evidence in court. Taught by a forensic examiner and former prosecutor, this presentation will discuss practical approaches to the introduction of visual evidence in the courtroom with an emphasis on accuracy, admissibility and impact for the jury.

The Death of Emily Hampshire: A Multi-Disciplinary Teams’ Battle for Justice and the Community Struggle to Understand a Mother’s Actions.

Emily Hampshire celebrated her 14th birthday on October 22, 2018. On November 3, 2018 Emily was dead. The investigation into her death revealed a complicated medical history of Type 1 Diabetes that was deliberately concealed from family, friends, and teachers by Emily’s mother, Amber Hampshire. The actions of Amber Hampshire that directly led to the death of Emily caused disbelief and

You’re Gonna Need a Bigger Screen: Investigating Deepfakes, Cyberflashing, and Novel Illicit Image Sharing

Graphic nude images AirDropped to scores of strangers. AI-powered fusion of hardcore pornography with clothed photos of children or ex-partners. Child sexual abuse material hidden within seemingly innocuous video files. Illicit image sharing in 2022 poses no shortage of challenges, and this workshop presented by a forensic examiner and former prosecutor equips you with practical investigative strategies in this evolving

Open-Source Intelligence Tools and Techniques for Child Abuse Investigations

Every child abuse case has corroborating evidence, and open-source intelligence is an invaluable tool to collect the critical pieces of evidence often present through social media or other online contexts. Learn practical tools and strategies to locate and identify perpetrators, reduce burden on victims, and conduct efficient online investigations.

Forensic Feud: An Indefensible Game Show

In this workshop, your hosts are a former prosecutor and forensic psychologist, using a game show format to explore and refute common child abuse defenses. Attendees will learn to anticipate defenses in the context of child sexual abuse, online exploitation, and sex trafficking. The workshop will also provide practical investigative and prosecutorial countermeasures to each asserted defense.

Daring to Lead: Transforming Conflict on Multidisciplinary Teams

The past few years confronted multidisciplinary teams with numerous obstacles and stressors, often challenging our ability to work together adequately, let alone cooperatively. This workshop provides insight for strengthening communication, coordination, and collaboration among MDT members. We will discuss practical strategies for addressing conflict, adapting to change on multidisciplinary teams, and leading child protection teams with excellence.

When the Suspect is a Child: MDT Response to Youth with Problematic Sexual Behaviors

The tragedy of youth sexually abusing other children is frequently encountered by prosecutors and forensic interviewers, yet it poses significant and persistent challenges. This workshop provides pertinent strategies and research for the effective, appropriate intervention and prosecution of juvenile offenders.

Stopping Josh Duggar: Faith, Forensics, and Felonies

Abuse perpetrators and their allies often seek to distort reality to avoid accountability for their actions. In the case of Josh Duggar, this strategy included misapplication of both religious tenets and digital forensics. Two former prosecutors analyze the crime, failure, and manipulation surrounding Josh Duggar, and provide practical strategies for investigators and MDT members to counter these defense tactics in

A Trauma-Informed Courtroom

In this workshop, attendees will receive an overview of the research on trauma and how it impacts children as well as the research on the impact of testifying in court as a child. Applying this research, students will learn trauma-informed strategies for reducing the anxiety of children and taking their testimony in a manner that is developmentally appropriate.

How Prosecutors, Investigators, and MDTs Can Implement Trauma-informed Responses and Care

Numerous research studies have shown that childhood stress and trauma can impact adult health. This presentation will increase your knowledge of trauma and provide suggestions for responding to children, families, community partners and multidisciplinary team members in a trauma informed manner. Available as a 90-minute or 3-hour presentation.