Investigation Archives - Zero Abuse Project

Victor Vieth

Clyde Ariola — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 02:09:00 +0000

Victor Vieth

Biography

Victor has trained thousands of child-protection professionals from all 50 states, two U.S. Territories, and 17 countries on numerous topics pertaining to child abuse investigations, prosecutions and prevention. Victor gained national recognition for his work in addressing child abuse in small communities as a prosecutor in rural Minnesota, and has been named to the President’s Honor Roll of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. In 2012, Victor was awarded the Pro Humanitate Award from the North American Resource Center for Child Welfare.

Victor is the Chief Program Officer, Education and Research of the Zero Abuse Project, a 501©(3) public charity based in St Paul, MN, committed to education, training, and survivor support in order to eradicate child sex abuse and remedy its resulting harms. He is the 2018 President of the Academy on Violence & Abuse, and founder of the National Child Protection Training Center. With NCPTC and its partners, Victor has been instrumental in implementing 22 state and international forensic interview training programs and dozens of undergraduate and graduate programs on child maltreatment.

Mr. Vieth graduated magna cum laude from WSU and earned his Juris Doctor from Hamline University School of Law (HUSL). In 2017, Victor earned an MA in theology from Wartburg Seminary. Mr. Vieth has published countless articles related to the investigation, prosecution and prevention of child abuse and neglect. He is author of Unto the Third Generation, a bold initiative that outlines the necessary steps we must all take to eliminate child abuse in America in three generations, and On This Rock: A Call to Center the Christian Response to Child Abuse on the Life and Works of Jesus (Wiff & Stock 2018).

Speaking Topics

Investigation

Testimonials

"Victor Vieth's presentations are a MUST for professionals working child abuse cases."

“Victor Vieth hits a homerun every time he steps up to the plate. You leave anxious to come back and hear him again.”

“A powerful presenter. He obviously loves what he does.”

“Engaging, inspirational and entertaining – thoroughly enjoyed the workshop.”

News

Books & Publications

From Sticks to Flowers: Guidelines for Child Protection Professionals Working with Parents Using Scripture to Justify Corporal Punishment

Despite research and the discouraging of corporal punishment by respected medical and mental health organizations, most Americans continue to practice corporal punishment, and many schools permit hitting children as a means of discipline.

On This Rock: A Call to Center the Christian Response to Child Abuse on the Life and Words of Jesus

Jesus was the descendant of sexually exploited women, narrowly survived a child homicide, and grew up to be the world’s most prominent defender of children. Jesus reserved his harshest words for those who abused or neglected children and went so far as to say our treatment of children says everything about our view of God.

Silent Tears: Recommendations for Improving South Carolina’s Response to Child Sexual Abuse Based on Insights from Frontline Child Protection Professionals

Community leaders and child protection professionals from South Carolina approached NCPTC about conducting a large-scale study of the response of South Carolina professionals to cases of child sexual abuse (CSA) and to make recommendations for improving the system.

Ministering to Adult Sex Offenders: Ten Lessons From Henry Gerecke

Gerecke was a faithful minister noted for his desire to minister to “people he felt more desperately in need of hearing the Gospel message.” This led him to “follow a call” to minister to his community’s downtrodden and forgotten—the poor, the elderly, the mentally ill, and criminals.

What Would Walther Do? Applying Law and Gospel to Victims and Perpetrators of Child Sexual Abuse

Counselors and theologians failing to understand the dynamics of child sexual abuse cases often apply the concept of law and gospel incorrectly. When this happens, perpetrators are emboldened to offend again and many victims leave the church.

USA Swimming Report: Vieth Report Progress Update

In 2013, USA Swimming commissioned Victor Vieth, Executive Director of the National Child Protection Training Center, to conduct a comprehensive assessment of USA Swimming’s Safe Sport Program. Vieth conducted his assessment from September 2013 to December 2013 and delivered his report (“Vieth Report”) with 39 recommended actions to the USA Swimming Board of Directors in January 2014.

Augustine, Luther and Solomon: Providing Pastoral Guidance to Parents On the Corporal Punishment of Children

Although parents are allowed to use physical discipline in the United States, the practice is increasingly limited under the law and many acts of corporal punishment that were acceptable a generation ago are now unlawful.

It's Time to Swim: A Proposal for Developing a Multi Tiered Approach To the Credentialing of Forensic Interviewers

This paper examines the critical role of the forensic interviewer in the investigative process and provides an overview of existing and proposed standards or credentials for those conducting a forensic interview.

Unto the Third Generation: A Call to End Child Abuse in the United States within 120 Years

If we act now and for the rest of our lives as a testament to the invisible attributes of faith, hope and love, a later generation may one day see with their eyes what our hearts tell us is our nation’s destiny.

The post Victor Vieth appeared first on Zero Abuse Project.

Rita Farrell

Clyde Ariola — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 02:09:00 +0000

Rita Farrell

Biography

Rita Farrell has over 24 years of experience working with child abuse investigations as a forensic interviewer and founding executive director of a child advocacy center. In her role as a Senior Director with Zero Abuse Project, Rita admits that her role as a forensic interviewer of child abuse victims is her “true passion.”

In July 2000, Rita undertook the challenge of opening Chaucie’s Place, a child advocacy center in Hamilton County, IN. The combination of her roles as executive director and forensic interviewer naturally led Rita to become involved with state and national organizations in the field of child abuse.

Rita serves as a Senior Director for Zero Abuse Project, managing the national and international ChildFirst® Forensic Interview Training program, which she is a co-author of the model and has conducted thousands of child interviews. In addition, she manages the development of advanced training courses and programs for prosecutors, law enforcement, CPS, forensic interviewers and investigators.

Rita is a certified law enforcement instructor and still conducts forensic interviews in the field. She has testified in numerous court cases and has authored many peer-reviewed articles and publications specific to child abuse investigations and forensic interviewing of child abuse victims. As a nationally recognized speaker, Rita continues to champion the cause of child advocacy and serves as a board member for the Indiana Coalition of Child Advocacy Centers. She is a member of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) and serves on numerous councils, task forces, and boards in the areas of child abuse and domestic violence. Rita was presented with the U.S. Attorney General’s award for “Outstanding Service to Victims of Crime” by the U.S. Attorney General of Indiana and is also the recipient of the “Champion for Children” award.

Speaking Topics

Investigation

Testimonials

"This was the best training I have received in all my years in law enforcement"

"As an interviewer, Rita is such an inspiration for me, she makes me want to be a better forensic interviewer"

"Rita emphasizes real life examples of best practices in written material!"

The post Rita Farrell appeared first on Zero Abuse Project.

Kathleen Nolan

Clyde Ariola — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 02:09:00 +0000

Kathleen Nolan

Biography

Kathleen Nolan is a Senior Attorney with Zero Abuse Project. She joined the team in May of 2021. She brings over 15 years of experience as a Prosecutor in the area of Child Protection.

Kathleen previously served as the Chief of the Children’s Justice Division in the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office in Madison County, Illinois. She was appointed to that role in 2015 after joining the office in 2013. The Children’s Justice Division handled the charging and prosecution of all child victim cases in the county including physical abuse, sexual assault and child deaths. Her role as Chief of the Division also involved mentoring and training the attorneys she supervised. She also created and presented specialized trainings for members of the Madison County Multi-Disciplinary Team including police, forensic interviewers and Department of Children and Family Services workers.

As a board member of the Southern Illinois Child Death Investigation Task Force, Kathleen worked with a team of professionals across Southern Illinois to create more effective procedures for the examination of suspicious child deaths. Her work as a board member including the creation and presentation of trainings for the various members of the task force.

Kathleen began her prosecution career in the Tazewell County State’s Attorney’s Office in 2006. Her role as a prosecutor in that office began with the handling of Juvenile Abuse and Neglect cases as well as the Juvenile Delinquency docket. From there, she moved into the full time prosecution of all the child abuse cases in the county and managed a docket of felony and misdemeanor cases.

In 2009, Kathleen accepted a position with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. She traveled throughout the state of Illinois handling the commitment of violent predators under Illinois’ Sexually Violent Person’s Commitment statute. She also prosecuted cases through the Trial Assistance and Statewide Grand Jury divisions.

Kathleen attended St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, Illinois. She graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois in 2001. Kathleen received her Juris Doctorate from Valparaiso University School of Law in 2004.

Speaking Topics

Investigation

Testimonials

"Can't say enough good things about Kathleen - will always attend trainings with Zero Abuse!"

"Speaker Nolan was very inspiring and I enjoyed her lectures."

"Kathleen was super helpful and engaging. I would go to more of her sessions in the future."

“She can hold a crowd like no other. I was able to see both of her presentations and had the opportunity to see her last year as well! keep having her present, she will educate and bring enthusiasm to those of us who need our batteries recharged!”