Cape May County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor and the Prosecutor’s Office in conjunction with the Cape May County Bullying and Domestic Violence Working Group held a conference on Bullying and Domestic Violence on June 8th at the Wildwoods Convention Center.
For more than ten years the Prosecutor and the County Working Group have worked together to educate the public about Bullying and Domestic Violence. Each year they sponsor a free conference in an effort of “Creating Safe Schools and Safe Communities.” The conference is geared toward informing educators, victim advocates, law enforcement entities and organizations that encounter victims of Domestic Violence and Bullying.
This year’s conference featured a keynote presentation by Esther Williams, LPC of Positive Paths. Inc. Williams, an Educator, Author and Licensed Professional Counselor, emphasized the life changing impact of the work educators, probation officers, therapists, police officers and other helpers perform as they empower those who have been marginalized because of bullying and domestic violence. Williams presented strategies to help victims of bullying acquire skills to respond to intimidation and empower them to respond appropriately.
Other speakers included Det. Deirdre Fishel , “Telling Amy’s Story,” Det. Fishel presented the timeline of a domestic violence homicide that occurred in Central Pennsylvania in 2001. She used the story to demonstrate the importance of education of domestic violence and how it can, hopefully, lead to a different outcome. Cape May County Det. Bryan Hamilton spoke on the very timely issue of Sexting. He explained how a sexting investigation works and what types of things school administrators can do in order to assist with the investigation. The final presenter was Julie Sangillo, MA who focused on children as victims of domestic violence. She provided information on possible warning signs and strategies plus resources to help children and families cope with the trauma of domestic violence.
For more information, contact the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135.