Prosecuting Darkness - Jeanine Sorrentino & Lisa Andrus

Join us for a compelling episode featuring Jeanine Sorrentino and Lisa Andrus, seasoned prosecutors from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. Delve into their journeys of prosecuting sex crimes, particularly those against children, and learn about the mental toll of their work.

Discover the evolution of support systems in their office and the complexities of seeking justice for victims. Listen to personal stories that shaped their careers, hear about pivotal cases, including a compelling courtroom story involving a self-representing defendant, and gain insights into the challenges they face daily within this demanding field.

This episode offers an authentic look at the pursuit of justice in a tough legal landscape.

What About the Victims? - Jim Cole

A Journey of Dedication and Innovation

In this powerful episode of 'Harmless, The Podcast,' host Eric Oldenburg engages in an illuminating discussion with Jim Cole, a key figure in child exploitation investigations. They explore Jim's groundbreaking approach of shifting investigations from focusing on offenders to prioritizing victim identification.

This innovation has dramatically improved how cases are handled, leading to the identification and rescue of many victims globally. The episode also delves into the development of Project Vic and the transformative impact these initiatives have had on law enforcement practices and the recovery of victims.

Additionally, the episode reflects on the deep emotional commitment of the community of investigators dedicated to protecting children, with heartfelt gratitude expressed towards mentors and colleagues who have made significant contributions to this critical work.

Send Backup with Dr. Paul Conway:

In this eye-opening episode of 'Harmless the Podcast,' host Eric Oldenburg speaks with Dr. Paul Conway, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Southampton.

They delve into Dr. Conway's groundbreaking study on the mental health impacts, particularly moral injury, experienced by UK police officers and staff investigating child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

The discussion touches on how different factors such as workplace culture, support systems, and coping mechanisms significantly affect the mental well-being of these professionals.

The episode sheds light on surprising findings like the relatively minor role of direct exposure to the material and the critical importance of organizational support, while also discussing potential solutions for better mental health outcomes in this challenging line of work.

A Global Mission - Jon Rouse

In this episode, Eric sits down with Jon Rouse a distinguished figure in child exploitation investigations, who recounts his 39-year career beginning with the Queensland Police in 1984. Influenced by his family's military background, Jon discusses his early law enforcement assignments, a critical encounter with violence, and his shift to the Child Abuse Unit.

Jon highlights his pioneering role in Task Force Argos, which revolutionized child exploitation investigations with a victim-centered approach and influential legislation. The episode also explores the psychological toll of this type of work, the evolution of online predatory behavior, and the importance of post-service support for officers.

Jon advocates for the correct terminology, stressing ‘Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)’ over ‘child pornography’. The discussion underscores the emotional dedication of the officers and the significant human cost of their essential work.

Healing and Hope - David's Journey Through Trauma and Recovery

In this compelling episode of 'Harmless the Podcast,' host Eric Oldenburg interviews David four years after his initial interview and delves into David's powerful story of overcoming trauma during his career with the Phoenix Police Department.

David candidly shares the emotional and psychological toll of his work, especially in investigating Internet Crimes Against Children, and outlines his ongoing journey towards healing. Emphasizing the importance of mental health support, professional therapy, and robust support systems, this episode offers valuable insights into maintaining mental well-being in high-stress professions.

A must-listen for first responders, mental health advocates, and anyone interested in the themes of resilience and recovery.

Casual Urgency - David Frattare : ICAC Leadership on Mental Wellness in Law Enforcement

In this episode, Eric Oldenburg interviews a law enforcement veteran and current ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) Commander. David recounts his journey into law enforcement, which began with an internship at the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office. He describes his pivot to general crimes, and his eventual specialization in undercover work targeting child predators. David also discusses the challenges and mental toll of his work, leading to his eventual move to commanding Ohio's ICAC Task Force. Emphasizing the importance of mental health, David shares how he implemented a mental wellness policy for his unit and later collaborated with the Innocent Justice Foundation as a part-time SHIFT instructor. The conversation highlights the need for mental health awareness in law enforcement, particularly for those dealing with traumatic material on a daily basis.

A Helping Heart: Inside the Heart of ICAC Investigators with Jay Houston

In this compelling episode of 'Harmless', host Eric Oldenburg engages in a heartfelt conversation with Jay Houston, the director of training for the Child Rescue Coalition and a retired ICAC commander from Mississippi. They delve into the unspoken mental health challenges faced by ICAC investigators who tackle child exploitation cases. Jay shares poignant personal stories, including a near-suicide prevented at a training session, and stresses the importance of mental health support and a resilient, supportive environment within law enforcement.

With nearly 13 years of experience in ICAC and a transition to a full-time role fighting child exploitation, Jay provides an inside look into his work as an instructor, his efforts to improve forensic tools, and his vision for the future. This episode sheds light on the critical need for psychological resilience, peer support, and ongoing training in this demanding field.

Unseen Wounds: The Emotional Toll of Child Abuse Work

This episode of 'Harmless' features a deep dive into the emotional and psychological toll experienced by professionals who work in child abuse prevention and treatment. The host, Eric Oldenburg, interviews Dr. Kathy Coffman, a forensic pediatrician with over 30 years of experience in examining and supporting child abuse victims. Dr. Coffman shares insights into the challenges of determining the age of children in abusive imagery, the stress of potentially misjudging cases, and the importance of finding coping mechanisms to handle the anger and trauma encountered in this line of work. The conversation also highlights the necessity of a support system for those in the field, the human side of abusers, and the resilience of parents dealing with the aftermath of their child being abused. Dr. Coffman emphasizes the neurodevelopmental impacts of trauma on children and advises those entering this field to find beauty amidst the darkness to sustain their work long-term.

🎙 Now Available - ONLY - on Harmless the Podcast:

Hidden Battles: Navigating the Depths of Child Exploitation Investigations

Long time friends, Eric Oldenburg and retired Detective Phillis Walker discuss the intense and often unseen struggles faced by law enforcement officers working in the alleyways of digital child exploitation and abuse investigations.

A detective who shifted from physical crime scenes to the virtual realm to escape the direct emotional impact, only to discover new challenges in the digital domain, to Phyllis, a computer forensics expert who found herself isolated amidst troubling investigations.

This conversation explores the profound psychological toll these roles exact on those involved. It delves into the essential yet distressing work of probing into the darkest facets of human behavior online, emphasizing the urgent need for specialized training, support, and coping mechanisms for investigators to manage the severe mental health repercussions of their duties.

Highlighting personal experiences, this conversation paints a vivid picture of the strenuous journey and the resilience of those combating child exploitation in the digital age.

Presented in Partnership with The Innocent Justice Foundation

In this episode of 'Harmless,' host Eric Oldenburg interviews Kevin Laws, a retired Homeland Security Investigations special agent and author of 'Hunter of the Damned: A Walk Through Hell.'

Kevin shares his harrowing experiences working undercover in child exploitation investigations and the emotional toll it took on him, including wrestling with suicide following the death of his wife. The episode sheds light on the psychological impact of such work, Kevin's journey through loss and healing, and the vital need for support among law enforcement officials. Additionally, Kevin offers advice to those currently in the field and emphasizes the importance of seeking help and maintaining connections outside of work to manage the emotional challenges of the job.

You can purchase Kevin's book on his website, www.knsteaching.com.

If you or someone you know is stuggling with sucidal thoughts, please dial or text 988. Thr new national resource for suicide prevention.