Conference 2024

Victor Vieth, JD, MA, is the Chief Program Officer for Education & Research for Zero Abuse Project. He is a former child abuse prosecutor who received national recognition for his work addressing child abuse in rural communities. He went on to serve as Director of the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse. Mr. Vieth spearheaded the implementation of 22 state and international forensic interviewing courses. Mr. Vieth was also instrumental in developing Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) undergraduate and graduate programs now implemented in more than 90 colleges, universities, law schools, medical schools and seminaries in 30 states.

Mr. Vieth is a founding board member of GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment) as well as Sacred Spaces, which partners with Jewish institutions to prevent and respond to violence across the lifespan. Mr. Vieth developed the concept of Children’s Advocacy Center Chaplains and has assisted six accredited CACs in four states implement chaplaincy programs to address the spiritual needs of survivors of abuse. He also designed and teaches a seminary course on child abuse at Lutheran seminaries in Iowa and Pennsylvania.

Mr. Vieth has published numerous scholarly articles related to the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of child abuse and neglect. He is the author of “Unto the Third Generation,” an initiative outlining the necessary steps to eliminate child abuse in the United States within three generations. Mr. Vieth is also a prolific trainer who has taught thousands of child protection professionals from all 50 states and numerous countries.

Mr. Vieth has received numerous awards including the Victim Rights Legend Award from the United States Department of Justice, the Pro Humanitate Award from the North American Resource Center for Child Welfare, the Heritage Service Award from the National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence (NPEIV), and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Institute on Violence, Abuse & Trauma (IVAT).

Mr. Vieth has served on the board of directors of the National Children’s Alliance, the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC), the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome, and is past president and board chair of the Academy on Violence & Abuse (AVA).

Mr.Vieth holds degrees from Winona State University, Hamline University School of Law, and Wartburg Theological Seminary. His seminary thesis received highest honors and was later published as a book entitled On this Rock: A Call to Center the Christian Response to Child Abuse on the Life and Words of Jesus.

Catherine Ann Wilson, Founder & Executive Director, Stop Trafficking US.

Abused repeatedly from first grade on for nearly 20 years of her life, Catherine spent most of her years from ages 12-17 living on the street. By age 15, she was lured into sex trafficking. After finding her own freedom from suffering and thriving in her late 40s, she founded Stop Trafficking US. The organization’s goal is to stop grown-ups from sexually exploiting children. Stop Trafficking US tenaciously works to reach that goal by educating the community through a variety of strategic educational means, offering hope for victims and resources for first responders, faith-based groups, and schools. All resources are free of charge to all participants.

Bill Diamond  has worn many hats over the years including teacher and school administrator, lawmaker, constitutional officer, business owner, board member, and founder of charitable causes. Starting out his career in education as a teacher, he quickly became a principal and then superintendent of schools. Over his career, he has owned numerous small businesses. He is a former member of the Windham Fire and Rescue Depatrment. In total, Mr. Diamond spent 26 years in Maine’s Legislature with six years in the House of Representatives and 20 nonconsecutive years in the Senate. His work in state government included serving eight years as Maine’s Secretary of State. Community service has been a constant over his life; co-founding Hospice of Southern Maine, the Windham Land Trust, and Windham Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a local fuel assistance program. He served over 30 years on the board of the Maine State Society of the Protection of Animals. His latest undertaking is the nonprofit, Walk a Mile in Their Shoes which is committed to preventing the abuse, neglect, and death of children in Maine’s care. He lives in Windham with his wife Jane and has two daughters and 8 grandchildren.