Gather up-to-date information for the investigation and prosecution of all types of child abuse cases utilizing a multidisciplinary team (MDT) approach. Learn about medical evidence, interviewing child victims/witnesses and adult suspects/witnesses, along with legal issues involved in the investigation and prosecution of child physical and sexual abuse cases. Discuss trends in offenders’ use of technology, the use of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and sextortion. Learn law enforcement investigative techniques that capitalize on new technology.
Explore investigative strategies that address the relationship between child sexual abuse and child sexual abuse materials (child pornography) to supplement an investigation and corroborate victim statements. Gather new tools and resources for the most comprehensive case outcomes.
Examine the importance of multidisciplinary team (MDT) case coordination and evidence corroboration in the investigation of child abuse cases. Various members of the Multidisciplinary Team, such as law enforcement, child protective services, and forensic interviewers may gather different or differing information. Learn how to evaluate evidentiary findings through crime scene images, interviews and case studies. Understand multidisciplinary team members' roles and responsibilities for protecting child victims and prosecuting offenders. Focus on offenders’ use of technology, including the use of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in grooming and manipulation. Discuss a variety of technology that can be used by investigators.
Learn how to objectively investigate child death cases particularly when the cause and manner of death is unexplained. Examine investigative mindset from initial call-out to case resolution and learn how to gain an understanding of what happens with a victim-centered approach, exploring the emotional trauma of the non-offending caregiver. Discuss possible causes of death and best practices and tips including various investigative steps for evidence collection, witness and suspect interviews. This basic course offers law enforcement, CPS, and other child death investigators up-to-date practices for the investigation of child deaths.
Gain an understanding of child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention and review/evaluate different programs available to protect children. Identify what works and what doesn’t in prevention programs and discuss how to talk to children about CSA. Gather new resources for working with children with significant disabilities as well as research on CSA programs.
Enhance and build knowledge regarding the use of and development of safety plans for victims of child abuse including physical, emotional and sexual abuse as well as neglect. Provide disciplines within multi-disciplinary teams to develop plans to help attend to the safety of children who have been subjected to abuse and neglect. Identify the key elements to consider when contemplating or developing a safety plan. Recognize what it means to make a safety plan, who can make a safety plan, be a part of the safety plan, and what, if any, documentation do I need when putting a safety plan in place.
Join other child-serving professionals to create a plan of action for preventing child sexual abuse of youth in your care. Learn the signs and symptoms of child sexual abuse, mandated reporter and stakeholder responsibilities. Identify strengths and weaknesses of current prevention practices, and develop an action plan, using the Strategic Prevention Dashboard, for your organization. This course is open to all members of child serving organizations such as preschool, after-school care, summer camps, church groups, athletic associations or others responsible for the care of minors.
Referencing Ken Lanning's publication, Child Molesters: A Behavioral Analysis 5th Edition into child abuse cases, we will explore grooming and seduction techniques used by sex offenders and how to integrate these concepts into arrest and search warrant affidavits. Learn the use of executing search warrants for non-contraband items in delayed disclosure child abuse cases to corroborate child forensic interviews, or investigative interviews of adult victims who were past child victims.
Learn about protective strategies and actions toward preventing child sexual abuse. These strategies will include the development of effective prevention messaging, including the use of appropriate language. During the course, we will explore debunking child abuse myths through research, and identifying why some youth don’t tell others about their victimization. Gather tips for talking with children at an age appropriate level, including the importance of using correct names for body parts. A vital part of the training will be providing information resources to assist in the development an effective prevention plan to reach parents, educators, and identify and collaborate with other strategic partners in ending child abuse.
Explore the elements of conducting successful comprehensive security surveys and design for businesses, government offices, college campuses and schools, houses of worship and residences within your community. Focus will be on developing organizational, mechanical, and natural security measures. This course relates to law enforcement, security officials, architectural design specialists and other government officials looking to improve security in their community buildings.
