About

Trauma-informed Prosecutor Project (TiPP)

training & technical assistance

Funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), the Trauma-informed Prosecutor Project (TiPP) grant aims to improve the quality of the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases by providing free training and technical assistance to child abuse prosecutors and multidisciplinary team members. Zero Abuse Project expands TiPP by providing customized training nationwide, including live trainings, presentations at national conferences, and multi-day experiential courses. Zero Abuse also offers free case consultation to child protection professionals and continuously releases publications, microlearning videos, and self-paced on-demand courses.

Through this project, Zero Abuse will provide accessible training to child abuse prosecutors, improve the quality of criminal prosecution for child abuse cases, and make significant progress in addressing the challenges faced by child protection professionals.

Upcoming Conference Appearances

Project Overview

Training

Zero Abuse Project has a selection of 90-minute topics suited for prosecutors and other multidisciplinary team members. 

Two-day training institutes for child abuse prosecutors on opening statements, closing arguments, preparing children for court, cross-examination of defendants and defense witnesses, and advanced topics selected by the host sites.

Successful Prosecutions in Tech-Facilitated Crimes: This two-day course focuses on technology-facilitated crimes against children, offering foundational knowledge on internet and device-based victimization.

This course will be offered 10 times in various states. If you’re interested in bringing it to your state, contact us at [email protected].

Upcoming offerings can be found on our events page.

 
  • Complete! Forensic Interviewer at Trial
    This 3-day course offers practical training for teams of prosecutors and forensic interviewers. Participants engage in mock trials and workshops that cover the latest research on forensic interviewing, expert testimony, and cross-examination techniques.

  • Complete! Crime Scene to Trial

    This 3-day course trains MDTs to effectively respond to child maltreatment cases involving different types of abuse. Through a combination of workshops and practical exercises, participants learn how to process a crime scene, conduct interviews, apply for search warrants, and make decisions on charges.

  • Coming Up! Experiential Trial Advocacy Course
    In this training course, prosecutors will practice presenting a trial from jury selection to closing arguments, with subject matter experts providing lectures and support. Participants will learn how to use multi-media and technology to create engaging and compelling trials, with emphasis on the use of exhibits, evidence, and demonstrative aids in the experiential portions.

  • Complete! DNA on Trial: From Collection to Conviction
    This new two-day course focuses on the use of DNA evidence in complex cases and provides prosecutors with the tools they need to understand the science behind the crime lab. With workshops taught by experienced trial attorneys and forensic science experts, the course also includes an experiential component simulating common issues in evidence collection and training on how to present DNA evidence in court.

    This course was delivered October 2024 in Zionsville, Indiana. 
  • Coming Up!  Expert Witness at Trial
    This two-day, in-person training is designed to help prosecutors effectively use expert witnesses to address myths about victim responses in child abuse cases.

    This course will take place from August 14-15 2025 in Raleigh, NC. Register here!

  • On-Demand Education
    Now Live! Zero Abuse Project has officially launched an on-demand learning platform for prosecutors, featuring a wide range of courses  designed to enhance skills and effectiveness in the courtroom. This platform provides valuable resources from leading experts in the field, covering everything from best practices for interacting with victims to advanced cross-examination techniques. Whether you’re a seasoned prosecutor or just starting out, our on-demand training offers an exceptional opportunity to stay current with the latest developments and advance your career on your own schedule. Soon to come, we will also be offering bite-sized microlearning videos for quick and effective learning. Request an account on the Zero Abuse Project Portal today!
  • Simulation Training
    Coming July 2025!
    Zero Abuse Project will be launching an interactive training simulation platform for prosecutors, offering a comprehensive opportunity to learn and practice the entire timeline of a child abuse prosecution. The platform enables prosecutors to make crucial decisions at different stages, receive real-time feedback on their choices, and enhance their trial skills in realistic scenarios. Additionally, the platform provides best practices for interactions with abuse investigations, and offers full courses and microlearning videos for optimal skill development. This cutting-edge resource is an exciting advancement for the field and a powerful tool for supporting prosecutors in their crucial work of seeking justice for victims of child abuse.

Complete! Subject matter experts from across the child protection field convened from June 11-13, 2024, at the Abusive Head Trauma and Child Death Symposium for Prosecutors. They presented on crucial topics, including medical research, investigation techniques, and multidisciplinary approaches specific to these complex cases. Over 80 prosecutors from around the country attended, gaining insights on preparation and direct examination of state and defense experts, pre-trial litigation strategies, and professional well-being.

Resources

Prosecutors and investigators may request free technical assistance with their child abuse cases including, customized cross-examinations of the defendant or defense expert, personalized tips for preparing children for court, building direct examinations, and more.

Child abuse professionals can access a wealth of resources through our Publications Directory, featuring both practical and scholarly articles on topics such as child development, trauma-informed care, and effective communication. Legal professionals can also benefit from resources covering courtroom testimony and cross-examination techniques. Our regularly updated directory is a valuable tool for social workers, investigators, prosecutors, and other MDT members in the field, providing access to current and relevant information. 

Zero Abuse Project is launching a fellowship program aimed at supporting prosecutors handling child abuse cases. Through an application process, mentors and mentees will be paired to participate in monthly expert-led training sessions and networking opportunities, all aimed at strengthening their skills and impact in child abuse prosecution.

Complete! This portal, hosted on the Zero Abuse website, will provide prosecutors with print, digital, video, and audio resources and templates. These resources will include draft pre-trial motions, jury selection questions, and templates for ICAC warrants from social media platforms and search engines, among others.

Instructors

Informative Videos

TiPP Resources

3 Videos

available now!

On-Demand Training & Resources

Zero Abuse Project has officially launched our on-demand training platform! Explore a wide range of Investigation and Prosecution courses, covering topics such as commercial financial exploitation, tech-facilitated crimes, utilizing medical evidence, and more. We also offer bite-sized microlearning videos for quick, effective learning.

Additionally, we have a comprehensive catalog of over 250 resources for prosecutors and MDT members, ranging from voir dire questions to sample direct and cross-examinations.
 

Visit the Zero Abuse Project Portal to request an account and start enhancing your skills today!*

*Please note: Investigation and Prosecution courses are exclusively available to active multidisciplinary team members involved in CSA cases.

the support you need

Case Consultation

Prosecutors, law enforcement, forensic interviewers and MDT members may request free technical assistance with their child abuse cases, including: 

  • Customized cross-examinations of defendants or defense experts
  • Developing themes for closing arguments 
  • Tips for preparing children for court
  • Building direct examinations
  • Collaborative investigative approaches
  • Forensic interview consultations
  • Testifying in court
This project was supported by Awards 15PJDP-22-GK-03979-JJVO and 2019-CI-FX-K006 awarded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the Department of Justice.

Request Case Consultation

TiPP Case Consultation Request