Westchester County Probation Department Keeping Sex Offenders Off The Street For Halloween

WHITE PLAINS, NY — For the 8th year, Probation Department program will be protecting young trick or treaters
Even with Sandy, this event will go on

When it comes time for trick-or-treaters to be knocking on doors tonight, local sex offenders will once again be attending an anti-violence, victim impact program designed to keep them off the streets.

Over 160 registered and non-registered sex offenders on probation in Westchester County have received special “invitations” requiring them to attend an educational program at the County Courthouse between 6-9:30 p.m. today, Oct. 31.

The offenders will hear vivid accounts of the kinds of devastation perpetrated on children and see how those acts can reverberate through a victim’s life.

While some communities are postponing Halloween, this event will go on as scheduled, because it is a victim impact program.

Specifically, they will hear from a female adult survivor of child sexual abuse who will share her experience and insight on the impact of abuse as well as her story of recovery and Keith Fadelici, assistant director of Victim’s Assistance Services/WESTCOP. Fadelici will share his experiences in working with victims of abuse and the impact of sexual assault and trauma, as well as presenting a powerful video on the subject.

Assisting the Department of Probation with the program is Victims Assistance Services, a non-profit agency with a long history of providing services and support for victims in Westchester.