GRACE has been providing independent investigations for churches and ministries since 2005. In our first GRACE Live Information we explore what sets GRACE's investigations apart, and why it's important to have an investigation that is independent and objective.

September 28, 2023

The Sound of Surviving: Trauma-Informed Medical Care with Melanie Barton

Law-enforcement officers and prosecutors gathered at Tygart Lake State Park for a two-day training session focused on improving investigation techniques in child-abuse cases, including forensic interviews, evidence preservation, interrogations, and warrant-procedures.

August 2023 — WBOY news coverage of experiential law enforcement training in partnership with Hero’s Haven CAC

A practical companion to ZAP's treatise on Child Statement and Forensic Interview Admissibility. The publication synthesizes case law, state statutes, and hearsay exceptions, into 11 basic strategies for prosecutors to admit forensic interviews and child statements into evidence.

Explores the nuanced techniques necessary for cross-examination in child abuse cases. The guide provides 22 techniques split into four categories ranging from fundamental to advanced tactics. Each technique includes sample lines of questioning for easy adaptation by frontline prosecutors.

As court cases increasingly involve the use of digital evidence, the demand for experts who can evaluate how that evidence was collected and analyzed—and then explain that process to the court— has also grown. This article provides attorneys with a baseline understanding to help them better assess potential digital forensic experts.

Wynona’s House is launching a new community-based prevention program — prompted by a presentation from child-abuse expert Michael Johnson — that encourages culturally appropriate conversations between parents and children, improves education, and aims to reduce risks of abuse and neglect for families in Essex County.

The post marks Child Safety and Protection Month by emphasizing that teaching children correct anatomical terms is a proven prevention tool against child sexual abuse, reducing shame and helping children disclose abuse accurately. Through insights from Coffee County CAC director Joyce Prusak and survivor-advocate Melanie Sachs, it highlights how education, openness, and early, age-appropriate conversations can empower children and disrupt offender tactics.

A local expert urged that understanding signs and prevention of child abuse is crucial to protecting children, highlighting that awareness and informed community involvement help adults recognize, report, and prevent maltreatment. The piece emphasizes education, training, and shared responsibility in safeguarding children’s well-being.

Self-care is a crucial, non-negotiable part of the healing journey for adult survivors of child sexual abuse. We hear the term “self care” thrown around a lot in our culture, but sometimes it’s not clear what self-care looks like. Here are a few techniques that helped me on my healing journey. Remember: you deserve it!

In this post, Melanie describes her childhood sexual abuse, the long aftermath (shame, fear, self-harm), and how disclosure at a child advocacy center helped her begin a non-linear healing journey grounded in faith and finding her voice. She frames “hope” as turning pain into purpose through writing, survivor-centered trainings/presentations (including work with SHIELD Task Force), and advocacy/education—especially around trauma’s physical impacts like pelvic pain.

This article explores the research on the sexual abuse of boys and offers concrete suggestions for conducting forensic interviews with these children, investigating crimes against boys, and presenting these cases to a jury.

Provides 8 introductory considerations for prosecutors, and addresses the complexity and challenges faced when working cases involving remotely stored and encrypted data. It also explores investigative procedures and legal process best practices when obtaining electronic evidence.

Provides 7 advanced strategies for prosecutors, as well as guidance for dealing with cloud providers and other stakeholders. Zero Abuse Project developed this article to serve as a reference for prosecutors and investigators facing challenges when working cases involving remotely stored data.

Melanie Sachs is a survivor of Child Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault and other traumatic events. Melanie obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and worked under the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence right after college. She served for 2 Years in National Service as a member of the AmeriCorps Victim Assistance program as a crisis center advocate and as a Shelter Advocate on the night/overnight shift located in the Imminent Danger Shelter. Melanie relocated to in 2015 to Cape Cod, Massachusetts and worked at the local advocacy center for 6 years in two roles (Family Advocate and Forensic Interviewer) helping families navigate all systems and providing support in many capacities for Families who walk through the doors of as the result of child sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, witness to domestic violence or CSEC (Trafficking) along with conducting Forensic Interviews of Children for Law Enforcement and Child Protection (MDT Partners). Melanie served on the Board of Directors for SHIELD Task Force out of West Virginia for 2 years and in late 2020 Melanie accepted a position to be a part of SHIELD in a different capacity as a Training and Development Consultant and as a presenting member of their Speakers Bureau. Melanie is passionate about walking alongside others on their healing journey and since 2019 has embarked on sharing her experience with Pelvic Pain/Dysfunction on her Instagram @victoryoverpelvicpain and hashtag #victoryoverpelvicpain.

The Psychology of Surviving: Forensic and Survivor Perspectives on Trauma and Offender Mindsets with Dr. Timothy Saar

Prosecutors handling cases involving children with disabilities must be prepared to serve and advocate for individual child victims’ unique physical, cognitive, and/or emotional needs. This guide will address each of these components of the prosecution, and conclude with sample motions to implement recommendations.

Even though signed search warrants are legally binding court orders, Big Tech still may not comply. This guide acknowledges common privacy concerns that make data more difficult for the government to obtain, and lays out six strategies for prosecutors confronting objections from electronic service providers.

The number of online child-sexual abuse reports from West Virginia surged during the pandemic — about 1,791 tips were submitted to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in 2021, roughly 50% more than in 2019.