Conference focuses on violent crimes against women and children

By By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Aug. 4, 2002
Several nationally known speakers will participate in a conference this week in Meridian focusing on violent crimes against women and children.
The Wesley House Community Center is sponsoring the conference.
The conference is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice.
The scheduled speakers include:
Dr. Donald A. Cabana, former warden of the Mississippi State Penitentiary. He has been featured on national television programs talking about issues regarding capital punishment and is the author of the book "Death at Midnight: The Confession of an Executioner." Cabana is an assistant professor of criminal justice at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Judge Ted Poe, a district judge of felony criminal court in Houston Texas. Poe has drawn national attention for his innovative sentencing techniques. He has also been featured on national news programs and currently serves as a child advocate. He has been named Outstanding District Judge by law enforcement agencies in his district. He is serving his fifth term in office.
Dr. Marlene A. Young, an attorney and founder of the National Organization for Victim Assistance. She is also a member of the victims committee of the American Bar Association and is a founding board member of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children.
Allison Turkel, former police officer and senior attorney with the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse. Turkel trains child abuse professionals across the country on cases of child abuse and maltreatment. She also provides technical assistance to prosecutors, law enforcement, child protection agencies and social workers.
Detective James L. Cowart of the McComb Police Department.
Tonya Rogillo, social worker from McComb.
Amerah Shabazz, a victim of violence.
The conference will be held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday. Co-sponsors of the conference include: Our House Inc.; Department of Public Safety; U.S. Department of Justice; the 10th Circuit Court District Attorney's office; the Meridian Police Department; the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department; and the Mississippi State Department of Health.
Stephens said people in law enforcement, counselors, social service representatives, victim service providers, ministers and school officials will benefit from the free conference. Continuing education credit is available for those attending the conference and it is open to anyone else who may be interested.
For more information call Stephens or Nell Grissom at Wesley House at (601) 485-4736.
Conference schedule:
The following is a schedule for the two-day conference, "Making a
Difference for Victims of Crime in 2002" to be held Thursday and Friday in the Family Life Center at Central United Methodist Church, 1004 23rd Ave.:
Thursday
8 a.m.-9 a.m. Registration followed by the introduction of the conference.
9:15 a.m.-10:15 a.m. "The individual psychopathy of the sex offender," Dr. Donald A. Cabana.
10:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m. "Memory and suggestibility," Allison Turkel.
11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. "Innovative sentencing," Judge Ted Poe.
1:15 p.m.-2:45 p.m. "Interrelationship between domestic violence and child abuse," Allison Turkel.
3 p.m.-5 p.m. "The aftermath of rape and what to expect," Dr. Donald A. Cabana.
Friday
9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. "Putting victims of crime first: Part one," Dr. Marlene A. Young.
10:45 a.m.-noon "Putting
victims of crime first: Part two," Dr. Marlene A. Young.
Noon-1:30 p.m. "Religion and victimization" a testimonial by Amerah Shabazz.
1:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m. "Crime scene investigation," James Cowart.
3 p.m.-5 p.m. "Teamwork," James Cowart and Tonya Rogillo.