Forensic Focus Podcast, hosted by Christa Miller | February 10, 2020

A chapter in the Handbook of Interpersonal Violence Across the Lifespan, a comprehensive state-of-the-science reference work for researchers, practitioners, and policy makers. This two-volume handbook is written from a trauma-informed perspective, and utilizes adverse childhood experiences research as its basic developmental framework along with the traumatic effects all forms of interpersonal violence tend to produce.

January 2019 — WBOY news coverage of SHIELD’s 2019 “Break the Chains” forum

January 2019 — WDTV news coverage of SHIELD’s 2019 “Break the Chains” forum

A quarterly roundup of the latest legal developments around digital forensic evidence. This article covers U.S. case law regarding technology when it comes to search and seizure, along with the “reasonable suspicion” standard when it comes to border searches.

West Virginia Center for Children’s Justice held a training event in Martinsburg focused on improving how professionals recognize, respond to, and handle child abuse cases, bringing together multidisciplinary teams to strengthen investigation skills and support for child victims.

The article profiles Robert Peters, a Liberty University law alumnus who, inspired by work with a child-abuse response organization, became a prosecutor focused on reducing human trafficking and child abuse and later co-founded the SHIELD Task Force to help end child abuse through training, prevention, and support.

West Virginia Child Advocacy Network staff and adult survivors of child sexual abuse launched the West Virginia SHINE campaign on Wednesday, April 10, 2019.

Apr 10, 2019. Break the Silence + SHINE.

In the National Children’s Alliance 2019 annual report, Melanie is featured as a family advocate who drew on her own experience as a child abuse survivor to help launch and champion the SHINE public awareness campaign, using her story to encourage healing and elevate survivors’ voices while supporting other children and families affected by abuse.

A Fairmont jury convicted a 72-year-old man on all 24 felony sex-crime charges involving an eight-year-old child after a four-day trial featuring multiple expert witnesses and testimony from both the victim and the defendant. Prosecutors emphasized the victim’s courage and the coordinated work of investigators, advocates, and the trial team in securing the verdict.

SHIELD hosted a community panel at Fairmont State University bringing together survivors, prosecutors, law enforcement, medical professionals, and advocates to address barriers to reporting child abuse and emphasize proper response. Speakers highlighted alarming local and statewide trends, the link between substance abuse and child maltreatment, the role of mandatory reporters, and the critical importance of believing and protecting children.

The Marion County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and local partners launched efforts to break the silence around child sexual abuse by improving reporting, partnering with schools and community groups, and introducing supportive initiatives like a confidential “Buddy Box” for students to raise concerns. The campaign aims to reduce stigma, boost reporting, and better help victims and offenders alike.

Discusses the limited legal remedies available to foreign victims of corporate human rights abuses in U.S. courts after the Supreme Court's decision in Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Co. The article explores alternative avenues for seeking redress, including the Alien Tort Statute and potential legislative reforms.

Explores the use of private military and security companies (PMSCs) in humanitarian interventions. The article analyzes the use of PMSCs in situations where political inaction prevents state-led interventions, and it examines the legal and ethical implications of such an approach through the lens of Just War Theory.

Discusses the endemic nature of sexual abuse among Protestant congregations. The article also highlights how the church's silence and/or support of offenders affects survivors.

The CAC Impact Mini Documentary

In late August, 2013, USA Swimming contracted with the National Child Protection Training Center, a program of Gundersen Health System, to conduct an independent assessment of USA Swimming’s Safe Sport program. Robert assisted with legal research, including an analysis of emotional abuse and mandated reporting statutes.