The GRACE Awakening: Reckoning with Abuse in the Church explores the complex and often hidden dynamics of abuse and power within the church. Join the GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in a Christian Environment) team as we tackle tough questions and interview leading experts, journalists, and thinkers to dissect and navigate systemic issues and recurring patterns of harm in Christian contexts.

Established in 2022 and officially incorporated as an LLC in September 2023, Prevention Starts with Parents is dedicated to educating and empowering parents and caregivers. We firmly believe that informed parents are protective parents. Our mission is to provide essential knowledge on child sexual abuse risks and prevention strategies, ensuring that every child's safety is a top priority.

At Prevention Starts with Parents, we envision a world where every child grows up in a safe and nurturing environment. We aim to empower parents and caregivers with knowledge, tools, and resources to protect their children from the threat of sexual abuse. We envision a future where every child's innocence is preserved, and their well-being is prioritized, thanks to the commitment of parents and caregivers.

Alison Sutherland is a dedicated professional with a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. With a career spanning various sectors, she has accumulated extensive expertise in Child Abuse and Prevention. Her experience includes roles in Child Protective Services, Juvenile Court, Victim's Advocacy within Law Enforcement, and most recently, as a Forensic Interviewer. Alison is committed to safeguarding children and making a positive impact in the field of child protection.

Robert Peters is the founder of Coursing Justice, an LLC that delivers state-of-the-art training and practical content to criminal justice professionals.

He also currently serves as the Director of Institutional Response at , a nonprofit that empowers Christian communities to recognize, prevent, and respond to abuse.

During his time at Zero Abuse Project, Robert led the development of the most prolific national courses that equip prosecutors to utilize digital evidence in child exploitation and other felony cases.

Hero’s Haven Child Advocacy Center held its annual crime-scene training for police departments and prosecutors across the state to improve skills in investigating child deaths and abuse cases. The session focused on practical techniques and collaboration among law enforcement and legal professionals to better protect children.

September 29, 2025 — Hero’s Haven Child Advocacy Center held its annual crime scene training for police departments and prosecutors throughout the state in downtown Clarksburg on Monday, with a focus on investigating child deaths.

Church leaders, it's time to talk about false allegations. In this crucial conversation, we challenge the myth that false allegations of sexual abuse are widespread, revealing that research shows they are rare. We explore the historical roots of this skepticism and how it can silence survivors. Learn how to move past this fear, create a safe church environment, and prioritize the well-being of the vulnerable. Join us to discover how to listen to survivors, involve trained professionals, and build a culture of trust and support within your congregation.

August 13, 2025

Is adult clergy sexual abuse "just an affair"? Absolutely not. Join GRACE Live Conversation host Robert Peters with expert guests Amy Stier and Emily Petrie as they dismantle this harmful misconception and expose the truth about Adult Clergy Sexual Abuse (ACSA). In this powerful conversation, we delve into one of the least understood and most contentious topics in faith-based communities. Learn why ACSA is not about "consensual relationships" but rather the profound exploitation of power imbalances by religious leaders.

July 28, 2025

🚨 Church Abuse Allegations: What EVERY Leader Needs to Know! 🚨 Churches are supposed to be safe havens, but what happens when abuse allegations surface? Join GRACE's Robert Peters, Emily Petrie, and host Zane Hart as they tackle the tough questions churches face. Discover the CRUCIAL first steps, how to protect victims and your congregation, and why NOT to investigate on your own. This is a must-watch for anyone who cares about justice, healing, and creating truly safe environments in churches for everyone. Don't miss these vital insights!

May 30, 2025

Guest Survivor/Advocate Melanie Barton talks with us about the healing road of learning to love and learning to be loved as a survivor of sexual abuse.

Every day, prosecutors across America balance their duties as both an officer of the court and advocate while in pursuit of truth. This article provides seven tips for prosecutors to zealously advocate for victims while maintaining the highest ethical standards. Although the Cosby case involved the sexual assault of an adult, these tips would also apply to high-profile crimes against children.

Through themes, prosecutors can communicate with the jury on a deeper level that includes feelings as well as facts. This article first discusses what is essential to an effective theme before highlighting seven overlapping themes prosecutors can employ in many child abuse cases.

This umbrella review examines public resources and the authors’ experience and expertise to assess the prevalence, risks, and effects of abuse and denialism within Christian communities. It synthesizes insight from multiples sources to inform this analysis. Despite the forces of denialism in many Christian communities, voices are rising, demanding safeguards and accountability. This chorus, led by survivors, gives hope that denialism in the Christian church may one day be overcome. Although this articles focuses on Christian churches, similar issues affect most religions.

A local child abuse survivor is scheduled to speak publicly about her personal experiences and the role a child advocacy center played in her healing, aiming to raise awareness and insight into recovery from abuse.

September 2024 — WBOY news coverage of experiential law enforcement training in partnership with Hero’s Haven CAC

Law enforcement officers and prosecutors from several West Virginia counties are taking part in a three-day training on investigating child abuse cases hosted by the Hero’s Haven Child Advocacy Center to improve their skills and coordination in handling these sensitive investigations.

It has been nearly 20 years since the publication of Unto the Third Generation—approximately half-way through the first of three 40-year plans proposed by that article. This paper reviews the recommendations of Unto the Third Generation, details the significant reforms the article inspired, and also discusses where the article fell short and needs revision. Most importantly, it discusses whether or not Unto the Third Generation has contributed to a reduction of child abuse in the United States or has at least set a foundation which can achieve the ultimate goal.

This training was presented by Melanie Barton, a survivor/advocate/forensic interviewer. It was part of MOVA's 2024 Victim Rights Month commemoration. Melanie shared her experience as a survivor through personal pictures and descriptions along with her journey through Pelvic Pain/Dysfunction and loving and being loved after trauma. Melanie presented her own survivor story detailing the impact the Child Advocacy Model/Forensic Interview had on her finding her voice and breaking the silence for the very first time. She shared her deep and ongoing connection and the value of her MDT (Multi Disciplinary Team). She talked about the Journey that unfolded through the past 19 years of healing, faith & determination to use her pain for purpose and to become an advocate with a look into her 10+ year Career in Victim Services and Advocacy as a whole. Melanie broke down the impact of the Multi-Disciplinary Team she had in the State of New Hampshire and the importance of the Child Advocacy Center Model. Melanie talked about the Hope and Healing she walks in now as the result of putting in the hard work as a survivor and the support and encouragement that was crucial from fellow survivors and providers along the way. Melanie also touched on the impact the criminal justice process has on survivors of crime.

A Chicago Archdiocese investigation into child sexual abuse allegations against Fr. Daniel McCarthy was flawed, with McCarthy claiming he wasn’t directly questioned about specifics and that the Archdiocese knew of an earlier allegation for about a year before acting — raising concerns about transparency and adherence to its own child-safety policies. It highlights criticism from abuse-survivor advocates and notes broader questions about how the Archdiocese handles such investigations.

When a church is rocked by scandal, how can you tell if an investigation is truly independent—or another attempt to cover up? Experts discuss.

A GRACE Live Conversation with Angie Conn and Robert Peters.

"Human trafficking is our society's most underreported violent crime despite its prevalence. Lack of understanding among service providers, law enforcement officials, and victims themselves is one of the major reasons behind this. Despite the increasing awareness and media coverage, much work is still needed to address the issue at hand." - Angie Conn

October 31, 2023