WESTCHESTER, NY — For the 10th Halloween in a row, Westchester County will require all sex offenders on probation to attend an educational forum to keep local sex offenders off the streets while children trick or treat.
More than 160 registered and non-registered sex offenders on probation in Westchester County have received special “invitations” from the Probation Department requiring them to attend the program at the County Courthouse.
This year, the event will also host 45 parolees from Westchester County and eight probationers from Putnam County. County Probation Officers will be assisted by officers from the Westchester County Department of Public Safety, New York State Parole and the Putnam County Probation Department.
The program will feature a variety of presenters, including two adult survivors of child sexual abuse who will share their experiences and insights on the impact of abuse as well as their stories of recovery. In addition, Keith Fadelici, assistant director of Victim’s Assistance Services/WESTCOP, will share his experiences of working with victims of abuse and discuss the impact of sexual assault and trauma. He will also present 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.