How does one go about investigating and prosecuting perpetrators for some of the most horrific types of offenses ? those against innocent children?  That is precisely the skills that area investigators and prosecutors have the opportunity to hone in May, thanks to a ?free? intensive three-day seminar by the National Law Center for Children & Families being hosted by the Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center.  Sexually-related crimes against children can be some of the most daunting to investigate and prosecute but, still yet, all victims, especially children, deserve justice.

And, for these reasons, Safe Harbor has worked for months with the National Law Center (NLC) to bring this national training curriculum to our area, the first time it has ever been offered in Tennessee and, more specifically, in our own backyard in the Fourth Judicial District.  ?We are very excited about the opportunity to host the NLC and its staff in our district?, says Donna Koester, a Sevier County resident, founding member and Executive Director for Safe Harbor.  ?NLC has served as an agent of change and education for years in the area of child sexual exploitation, advocating for laws and law enforcement across the nation.  And, we are certainly grateful for their willingness to join us here in East Tennessee.?

NLC is a non-profit law center formed in 1991.  The National Law Center has played a major role in congressional efforts to strengthen protections for children and families against pornographers who exploit computer technology. NLC attorneys advised the sponsors of nearly all major bills of the last 15 years, including the Communications Decency Act of 1996, Child Pornography Prevention Act of 1996, Child Online Protection Act of 1998, Children?s Internet Protection Act of 2000, Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, and PROTECT Act of 2003, and assists on child sexual exploitation and obscenity-related legislation on the state and federal level. NLC staff members have also been called as witnesses before congressional committees. 

?Barry Fain, the President of our Board of Directors, was able to work closely with some of NLC?s associate counsel, Keely Knipling and Tiffany Richards, to design the curriculum for this rigorous three-day seminar?, notes Koester.  ?Some topics have breakout sessions for individual participants? roles as either investigator or prosecutor, to give them specific insights into their aspects of a child exploitation case, while other topics will enhance the team concept of the investigative approach.  We really wanted to make sure the bases were covered on what and how information is offered to our participants?, adds Fain.

Investigators and prosecutors will whet their skills in areas including, but not limited to: Obscenity investigation and prosecution; Child pornography investigation and prosecution; Internet forensics for obscenity and child pornography; On-line enticement investigation; Identifying trafficking; Child victim/witness interviews; Basic computer forensics; The Adam Walsh Child Protection & Safety Act of 2006; and Various other child sexual exploitation issues. 

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