Increasingly, Sacred Spaces is fielding concerns from schools and camps – across all denominations – about boundary-crossing and non-consensual sexual behaviors among students and campers. In this 90 minute session, led by world renowned expert, Victor Vieth, you’ll learn to recognize which sexual behaviors are normative and which are not. We’ll share research relating to different ages and stages, discuss what consent and respect for bodily autonomy necessitate in these situations, and begin to create an intervention plan that recognizes children’s youthfulness while prioritizing safety for all.

Speaker Bio:

Victor Vieth is the Chief Program Officer of Education and Research for Zero Abuse Project. He is the Founder of the National Child Protection Training Center (which merged into Zero Abuse Project) and previously served as director of the National Center for the Prosecution of Child Abuse and president of the Academy on Violence and Abuse. Victor has trained thousands of child-protection professionals from all 50 states, two U.S. Territories, and 17 countries on numerous topics pertaining to child abuse investigation, prosecution, and prevention. Victor gained national recognition for his work addressing child abuse in small communities as a prosecutor in rural Minnesota. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Pro Humanitate Award for Child Advocacy from the North American Child Resource Center for Child Welfare and the Heritage Service Award from the National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence. Most recently, Victor received the “Victims Rights Legend” award. This is one of the National Crime Victim Service Awards, which are the highest honors in the field of victim services. Victor has published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and other writings pertaining to child abuse and neglect. He has consulted with public policy makers throughout the country and has testified before the United States Senate Judiciary Committee on reforming child protection education. He holds degrees from Winona State University, Hamline University School of Law, and Wartburg Theological Seminary.