October 28, 2019 - When it comes time for trick-or-treaters knocking on doors this Halloween, local sex offenders will once again be attending an anti-sexual abuse victim impact program designed to keep sex offenders off the streets. The annual program is run by the Westchester County Probation Department, and is joined by the Putnam County Probation Department and the Westchester County Department of Public Safety.
Over 150 registered and non-registered sex offenders on probation in Westchester County are required to attend an educational program at the Westchester County Courthouse on Thursday, October 31 from 5:30 to 10 p.m.
The offenders will hear compelling accounts of devastation perpetrated on children and adult victims, and gain insight into how those acts can reverberate through a victim’s life. A survivor of sexual abuse will share her story and experiences regarding the impact of abuse, as well as her road to recovery. Karel Amaranth, of Victim’s Assistance Services/WESTCOP, will share her experiences in working with victims of abuse and the impact of sexual assault and trauma. Victims Assistance Services is a non-profit agency with a long history of providing services and support for victims in Westchester.
While the Program is taking place, numerous Probation officers and Police Officers from the Westchester County Department of Public Safety will be in the community to track down offenders who fail to report to the event. At the end of the event, sex offenders will not be allowed to use public transportation. In order to provide an added measure of safety to the community, any offender needing a ride home will be driven by probation officers.
For more information about the Westchester County Department of Probation, visit our website.
This Program is not open to the media.