31 May 2006

Wallace State Hosts Child Abuse Awareness Workshop

Richard Davy, Ph.D., shares his personal story during the conference

HANCEVILLE, AL-- The Wallace State Community College Human Services and Psychology programs recently co-sponsored a child abuse awareness workshop with Brooks’ Place, The Child Advocacy Center of Cullman, Inc.

   Held during National Child Abuse Awareness Month, the workshop focused on childhood sexual abuse awareness and prevention.

   More than two dozen Wallace State students attended the workshop as well as fifty counselors, social workers and nurses from across North Alabama and several Wallace State employees.

   The event featured a discussion by Alabama Assistant Attorney General Stephanie Billingslea on her role as Chief of the Attorney General’s Family Protection Unit and Chairperson of the Alabama Methamphetamine Task Force.

   Other speakers included Dr. Richard Davy, Executive Director of the Cramer Children’s Center in Florence. Davy is a survivor of childhood physical and sexual abuse.

   Gail Swafford and Tim Thrasher from Brooks’ Place addressed children’s sexual development and problematic behavior. Leigh Nafe of the Cramer Children’s Center presented a session entitled “Religion as Culture.” Monica Haddock, Louise Tanner and Nafe also presented a seminar on “cutters,” or adolescents who exhibit self-mutilating behavior.

   Carol Copeland, an independent social worker, addressed the topic of coping with loss using artwork provided by her young clients.

Gail Swafford, LCSW-PIP (and WSCC adjunct faculty member), addresses interested professionals as she presents information on children's sexual development and behavior

   Brooks’ Place is a non-profit agency that works with sexually abused children and families. For more information, call 256/739-2243.

   For more information on the Wallace State Human Services program, contact Susan Beck at 256/352-8339.

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  Katie Free
  Communications and Marketing
  Wallace State Community College
  P.O. Box 2000
  Hanceville, AL 35077
  256/352-8033
  E-mail: Katie.Free@WallaceState.edu

   Updated Wednesday, 7 June, 2006