For the 19th consecutive year, the Westchester County Department of Probation is holding its annual Anti-Sexual Abuse Victim Impact Program on Halloween. The initiative aims to keep sex offenders off the streets during a time when children are trick-or-treating.
More than 100 sex offenders who are either registered or non-registered and currently on probation in Westchester County are required to attend the educational session at the Westchester County Courthouse. The event will take place on Friday, October 31, from 5:30 to 10 p.m. According to organizers, the program is intended to educate participants about the effects of their actions and raise awareness regarding the consequences for victims.
Speakers at this year’s program include Annie Seifullah, Esq., co-founder of Incendii Law, PLLC in New York City. She specializes in supporting victims of technology-facilitated abuse and is herself a survivor of intimate partner violence and image-based sexual abuse. Wiley K. March, an author and founder of the Tiamberus Network—a survivor-based organization focused on growth and recovery—will also address attendees.
Educational sessions for Spanish-speaking offenders will be led by Josefa Romero, Program Director at Westchester Jewish Community Services (WJCS) Crime Victims Advocacy Support Services Program (CVASSP), along with Celia Megias from WJCS.
During the program, probation officers will monitor compliance by searching for any offenders who do not attend as required. To further ensure community safety, those attending will not be permitted to use public transportation after leaving; probation officers will arrange rides home for those who need them.
“This Program is not open to the media.”
For additional information about the Westchester County Department of Probation, visit their website.
