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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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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

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

Preparing Children for Court

This workshop examines research on common fears children have about testifying and discusses best practices for addressing these fears before, during and after the courtroom testimony.

Child Death Investigations: An Overview for the MDT

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

Introduction to ACEs: What Investigators, Prosecutors, and MDTS Need to Know

Experiences in childhood matter. Numerous research studies have shown that childhood stress and trauma can impact adult health. The ACE Study is the largest study investigating the health and social effects of negative childhood experiences. Now that we have the research, what can we do about it?

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

Practical Applications for Identifying and Prosecuting Child Torture as a Multi-Disciplinary Team

The Multi-Disciplinary model ensures team collaboration for the investigation of child abuse cases. The responsibility to detect and intervene in cases of child torture rests with every member of the team. Recognizing and addressing the signs of child torture can raise challenges for the team as a whole. Using case examples and updated research, this presentation will provide practical applications

Trauma-Informed Approaches to Victims of Technology Facilitated Abuse

Victims who have experienced abuse have unique challenges on the path to healing. When that abuse includes technology or a virtual component, the healing may be even more complex. This presentation will discuss some of those challenges and provide prosecutors with the tools needed to achieve justice for these vulnerable victims.

Leveraging Medical Experts and Evidence in Child Exploitation Cases

Medical experts and evidence are key components in every child abuse prosecution. In cases of online child exploitation, medical experts and evidence can be used to corroborate a statement, explain a timeframe of abuse or possibly prove elements of an offense that may be otherwise difficult.