Alright, welcome to the very first episode of The Zero Abuse Filesa new podcast mini-series where we, the team at Zero Abuse Project, take you behind the scenes of our fight to end child abuse. This isn't just theory, folks. It's real cases, real professionals, every bit of hard work that goes into protecting kids.Yeah. And, honestly, some of this stuff is gonna blow your mind. Like the kind of stories that stick with you for life. We’re talking about cases from forensic interviewers, investigators, prosecutors——Advocates, educators, all of them. At Zero Abuse Project, the work is all about bringing these professionals together to tackle child abuse from every angle imaginable.And that’s what sets this podcast apart, right? This isn’t just a highlight reel. We’re gonna open the file on real stories that have shaped how we work. The lessons we’ve learned, the systems we’re out here every day trying to improve.And folks, we’re not sugar-coating any of it. These are the voices of real people doing incredibly hard but absolutely necessary work. Protecting children is both a responsibility and a fight, and we’re here to show you what it takes to do that.Oh, and before we jump in, quick introduction time. I’m Steph Plank—been in the ICAC trenches for a while now, and if there’s one thing I know, it’s that these stories need to be heard.And I’m Derek Cress. I’ve spent over two decades investigating child abuse cases, working alongside the best in the field to hold offenders accountable. Now, I’m dedicating my time to training others to keep this momentum moving forward.So, whether you’re here to learn, to be inspired, or to understand what it takes to truly move the needle on child abuse prevention, stick around. Because this is where we get started.Okay, Derek, since we’re talking about the work it takes to protect kids, here’s what I wanna know—how does collaboration actually happen in cases like these? I mean, it sounds great in theory, but in practice? It’s gotta get messy, right?You're absolutely right, Steph. Collaboration in theory and collaboration in practice are two very different beasts. But when it does work— it's like solving a puzzle with a team. Everyone brings their piece, and suddenly, the bigger picture starts to make sense. I remember this one case—that spanned across three states, multiple jurisdictions—it was chaos at first.Oh, I bet. The "no one’s on the same page" kind of chaos?Exactly. There were investigators, advocates, even child advocacy centers all working independently. No coordination. It honestly felt like we were going in circles at first. But, once communication clicked? Everything changed.Clicked how?Through what I’d call a deliberate commitment to teamwork. The forensic interviewer identified a key detail—a tiny, almost overlooked piece of information. That became the thread we needed. Suddenly, investigators had something actionable, and prosecutors were able to anchor their case strategy. By the end, not only did we secure justice for one child, but we also uncovered others who were silently at risk.Wow, okay, hold up. That’s the kind of ripple effect that gets me.One clue leads to multiple lives being changed. It’s like... it’s bigger than any single person’s role.Exactly. And that’s the magic of collaboration. No single discipline holds all the answers. It’s when everyone works together, sharing insights, recognizing each other's strengths—that’s when the impossible starts to feel achievable. Now, let me flip the script here for a second. You know that project I worked on in media, right? With cross-functional teams?Wait—media? You mean like TV or something?Not TV, exactly, but close. It was a digital task force project involving journalists, content creators, analysts—completely different field, sure. But the principles? Identical. Every team member had a piece of the puzzle—one person would create the story concept, another would analyze data for accuracy, another would handle the visuals. And still, it only came together through constant communication. Kinda mirrors child protection teamwork in a way.Yeah, yeah, I see what you’re saying. Except instead of storyboards, we’re working with, like, evidence and interviews.Right. And, also just like in media, there’s no room for silos. If you’re not sharing information quickly and effectively, you’re missing opportunities to make real progress.And the stakes? Way higher. We’re talking kids’ lives, not deadlines or ratings.Exactly, Steph. With child protection, collaboration isn't optional—it's essential.So, if collaboration is the foundation, how does training fit in? When Zero Abuse Project talks about "elevating professional standards," what’s the connection there? What does that actually look like in practice?It’s about building expertise that lasts, Steph. Not just throwing information at people and hoping it sticks. At Zero Abuse Project, the focus is on creating real systemic improvements, starting with the people on the ground—educators, advocates, law enforcement. Transformative training isn’t just about giving someone tools; it’s about changing how they think.Okay, okay, I gotta ask—what’s an example of that? Like, give me one of those "mind-blown" moments.Alright. There was this one training session I’ll never forget. It was a group of educators—not the kind of people who are typically navigating legal or investigative work, right? But we focused on recognizing early indicators of abuse, subtle signs that might otherwise go unnoticed. And then, something clicked for them. You could see it—like lightbulbs going off all around the room.Wait, like what? Like what kind of indicators were they missing before?Things like changes in language kids were using to describe home life, or subtle shifts in behavior patterns during certain times of the day. Simple but critical stuff. And one teacher actually stood up during the session and said, "I think I’ve been missing something in my own classroom." Turned out, she had a student who had been showing those exact indicators, and she hadn’t realized it until that moment.Whoa, hold on—that teacher recognized something, like, right there in the training?Exactly. She went back to her school, reported her concerns, and guess what? She was right. It led to an intervention that likely saved that kid from experiencing further harm. That’s what I mean when I talk about shifting mindsets.Okay, that’s incredible. And it’s not just about catching one case, right? It’s about creating this ripple effect where—Where an entire school, or agency, or community starts looking at these issues differently. Yes. That’s the power of expert-led training. It’s not just skill-building; it’s culture-shifting. And when you have professionals, like some of the best forensic interviewers or investigators, leading these trainings? The impact is exponential. We’re talking about seeding knowledge that grows and grows.Yeah, it’s like you’re not just teaching skills; you’re teaching people how to think critically, how to see patterns they might’ve dismissed before. It’s gotta feel pretty amazing to see that in action.It really does. Because once people experience training that’s this comprehensive, there’s no going back. They’re better equipped, more confident, and, honestly, more capable of protecting kids. That’s what raising the bar means—it’s about setting a standard that sticks.So, Derek, we’ve talked about shifting mindsets through collaboration and the ripple effects of transformative training. But prevention—that’s like the ultimate ripple effect, right? I mean, stopping child abuse before it ever begins? That’s a game-changer.Absolutely. And creating that change means empowering communities, not just professionals. Proactive public education is key here—helping everyday folks recognize the signs of abuse and giving them the tools to act safely and responsibly. That combination can save lives.Yeah, and it’s not just about spotting abuse as it’s happening, right? It’s about creating a system where people feel confident enough to say something. Like, take that prevention initiative in Minnesota you mentioned before—it’s kinda amazing.It really is. That initiative brought together schools, law enforcement, community advocates—it was a full-scale effort. The first few months saw a rise in abuse reports, which sometimes surprises people. But that’s the point, Steph. It means the training and education were working. People started noticing things and taking action.Right. So, basically, it’s like, the more people understood what to look for and how to report, the fewer cases slipped through the cracks.Exactly. And it didn’t stop there. Agencies were communicating better, collaborating more effectively. We saw how a single initiative, when executed right, could ripple across entire systems.Alright, I gotta say, one of the things that sticks with me the most about these kinds of stories is how one small action can change everything. Like that school counselor you told me about—what was the story?Oh, that’s a powerful example. This counselor had just attended a training as part of the policy changes in their district. They noticed some subtle signs—a student’s behavior and choice of words, things that might’ve seemed harmless before. But after the training, those details stood out. They made a report, which turned out to be exactly what was needed to intervene and stop the abuse.So, wait—because of that training, they literally prevented ongoing abuse for that kid?That’s right. And it didn’t just help that child—it encouraged the whole school to take a closer look at their practices. Policies and initiatives like this aren’t just about isolated victories. They create lasting, systemic change by showing people what’s possible when they stay vigilant, educated, and proactive.Wow. Honestly, it’s kinda inspiring to think that prevention can start with something so simple—like paying closer attention, asking a question, or just listening carefully.It really is, Steph. Prevention takes effort—from educating communities to shifting policies and supporting public initiatives. But as we’ve seen, that effort makes all the difference. It takes us from reacting to building something sustainable, where kids can genuinely feel safe.And that’s really what this is all about, isn’t it? Creating a world where abuse isn’t inevitable, but preventable. That’s... that’s the dream right there.Couldn’t have said it better myself. And, hopefully, with everything we’ve outlined today, it’s clear that—while the fight against abuse is tough—it’s winnable with collaboration, education, and prevention.Absolutely. So, to everyone listening, if there’s one takeaway from all of this, it’s that change is possible. It’s hard, but it’s worth it. And it starts with people like you, taking action where it counts.Thank you for joining us on this journey into The Zero Abuse Files. Stay informed, stay engaged, and, together, we can protect more kids.Until next time, this has been The Zero Abuse Files. Take care—oh, and don’t forget to share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.

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