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.
For years, proving child sexual abuse cases relied heavily, if not exclusively, on testimony from a child. Today, however, we can use technology to detect and prove child sexual abuse. This presentation gives examples of the ways in which criminal activity might come to the attention of law enforcement, including CyberTipline Reports, discovery during another technology-based investigation, and reports by
Voir Dire in a family violence case can be exceptionally difficult: prospective jurors often bring well-held thoughts about domestic violence to the table, but they may be reluctant to tell the truth about how they really feel. This is especially true in cases where the victim is not participating in the prosecution, in cases with minimal injury, or in cases where the
Adults and children recant for a number of reasons. If prosecutors routinely dismiss cases involving recanting victims, these victims and potential future victims may not be safe. This presentation will address recantation, how it looks and the process involved. We will discuss ways to mitigate the risk of recantation and the need to investigation recantations. Finally, we will look at
In order to properly investigate online crime, investigators must become well-versed in the preservation, creation and submission of a search warrant, and review of digital evidence contained within the search warrant return. This course will examine common and uncommon electronic service providers, which are used regularly by law enforcement investigators to legally obtain digital evidence. Participants will also learn how
No matter how strong your case is, prosecutors should never underestimate the importance of selecting a jury. Misconceptions and myths about child sexual abuse can prejudice jurors against your case, affecting their ability to assess the facts. Some jurors, no matter what they say in jury selection, may simply never be able to convict an offender, even if the evidence
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
What every parent fears: an alert from their children’s school, notifying them of some event like an active shooter. Schools train, drill, and have alerts for active shooters, fires, and other disasters; however, when it comes to addressing in-school sexual assaults – particularly those committed by students – most schools find themselves with no plan. This leads to problems for
Domestic violence and stalking investigations can become a tedious task for any investigator. To conduct a successful investigation, digital evidence recovery is essential to aid in the corroboration of the victim’s statement. The offender may impose physical injury, but they will also routinely harass, threaten, and inflict psychological trauma upon their victims while committing crimes in person or during online
This workshop will equip investigators with practical tools and tactical insight to succeed during courtroom testimony, including avoiding traps in cross-examination. Multimedia components; integration of hypotheticals; and concrete tips for testifying and interacting with judges, juries, and defense attorneys will be included. Specific strategies for case preparation, recovering from mistakes on the stand, and surviving cross-examination will also be addressed.
This workshop examines emerging social media platforms that are increasingly being used in the course of child exploitation crimes. Highlighting popular platforms such as Twitch and Discord, this presentation examines best practices in search warrant drafting, including common pitfalls and exigency considerations. Presented by prosecutors and ICAC investigators, this workshop also addresses selection of appropriate legal process, reviewing search warrants
Child Death Investigations can be complex and emotionally taxing cases for a multidisciplinary team. This presentation will focus on the benefits of an MDT-based approach to address common issues and challenges that arise in the investigation of deaths of the most vulnerable victims. Factual data will be referenced regarding the reduction in undetermined manner of death (or SIDS) findings with the
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
This course provides an overview of the dynamics of child abuse as well as the systems that respond to child abuse and maltreatment.
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.
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
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
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.
