Bullying, Domestic Violence Conference Slated for June 8

Unfortunately, in recent memory, not too many weeks pass before we hear news headlines featuring some act of domestic violence, mass shootings and/or school shootings. Murders from this type of violence have become so much a part of our daily life, that these crimes do not even faze us many times. Suicide by a young person due to bullying (also called bullycide) does not make national news coverage anymore because it has become an “all too frequent occurrence.” Too many times students who were bullied go back to their school with weapons to kill or hurt fellow students or teachers. Domestic violence, bullying and intimate partner violence has become a national epidemic. What can we as a society do? What can we as a community do? What can I as an individual do? The bottom line is “we need to do something.”
In response to these concerns, the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office in conjunction with the Cape May County Working Group on Bullying and Domestic Violence is sponsoring a free one day conference, “Creating Safe Schools – Safe Communities,” on Wednesday, June 8 at Cape May Convention Hall. The keynote address will feature Jeffrey Bucholtz, M.A., Co-Director of We End Violence, a violence prevention social business. Jeff Bucholtz has worked as an activist, organizer and public speaker in the fields of bullying, stalking, relationship violence, violence prevention and a vast array of other social issues.
The keynote presentation, “It’s No Joke: The Cultural Acceptability of Stalking,” will help participants understand that stalking is a serious problem that is all too often ignored or mocked – particularly in popular culture. Victims suffer unique trauma and are often subject to other types of violence when the stalking goes unchecked.
Additional presentations include, “It Takes a Village: Interventions for Bullying” by Mr. Bucholtz and “Securing Your Networks/Cyber Bullying” by the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Unit.
Historically, as many as 150 individuals from various professions have attended this conference with too few from the public at large. Prosecutor Robert Taylor believes that the communities of Cape May County need to participate in order to bring about change in our local communities. Prosecutor Taylor states, “I hope residents of our local communities take an interest in this very important topic. Domestic violence is a learned behavior. A child is not born an abuser, but instead what they witness in the home plays a significant role in their formation as an adult. Education is one of the keys to prevention of domestic violence and bullying.”
Registration is suggested through Claire McArdle, Victim Witness Coordinator for the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office of Victim Witness Advocacy, at (609) 465-1163 or cmcardle@cmcpros.net. Registration brochures can also be found on the Prosecutor’s website www.cmcpros.net, or find us on Facebook. You can register at the door at 8:30 a.m.