For the 17th year, Offenders will Attend Anti-Sexual Abuse Victim Impact Program
When it comes time for trick-or-treaters to knock 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.
Over 100 registered and non-registered sex offenders on probation in Westchester County are required to attend an educational program at the Westchester County Courthouse on Tuesday, 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. Curtis St. John, the past President/Media Coordinator of MaleSurvivor.org, will share his story and experiences regarding the impact of abuse, as well as his road to recovery. Author, speaker and survivor Wiley K. March will speak on issues surrounding multiple types of abuse, and the long-term psychological damage.
Through the office of WestCOP/Victims Assistance Services, a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as a family member of a survivor of sexual violence, will speak at the event.
Licensed clinicians Connie Guerrero LCSW, John Dalzell MA, LCSW, and Michael Iorio LCSW will be at the event to discuss with offenders how their individual crimes have impacted victims and what it means to take responsibility.
While the program is taking place, numerous probation officers will be in the community to track down offenders who fail to report to the event. At the end of the event, in order to provide an added measure of safety to the community, sex offenders will not be allowed to use public transportation. 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.
The program is not open to the media.