Community Corner
ABOUT TOWN: Stoughton Clergy Get Training on Domestic Violence and Abuse Prevention
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CLERGY GET TRAINING ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ABUSE PREVENTION: More than 60 clergy members from across Norfolk County, including Rev. Jean Lenk from the First Congregational Church in Stoughton, Rev. Stanley Schultz from Faith Baptist Church in Stoughton and Rabbi Joseph Meszler of Temple Sinai in Sharon, attended a training session hosted by Norfolk County District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey last week to learn how best to recognize even subtle signs of domestic violence, child abuse and elder abuse – and how to tap into the right resources when a member of their congregations needs help.
“Responsible citizens and community leaders are often the best partners law enforcement can have,” District Attorney Morrissey said after the half-day seminar, which was held at Lombardo’s in Randolph.
“The best resources are meaningless if they are not put to work, and it is often leaders like members of the clergy who are best positioned to see where help is needed," Morrissey added.
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Speakers addressing the signs of domestic violence, and how clergy can best support victims, were Erin Miller from Newton-Wellesley Hospital and Jennifer Yerdon from DOVE. Kris Klasby from South Shore Mental Health talked about clues that a child may be suffering child sexual abuse, and how clergy can respond.
State Police Sgt. Dave McSweeney, who supervises computer forensic investigations for the DA’s office presented on how technology can be used to groom and exploit victims. His suggestions will help make the religious community aware of steps they can take to protect their congregations.
Find out what's happening in Stoughtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Assistant District Attorney Phil Burr, Tze-Wan Stern from South Shore Elder Services and State Police Sgt. Tim Grant from the Disabled Persons Protection Commission explored elder abuse, the abuse of the disabled and financial exploitation.
Assistant District Attorney Anne Yas moderated and ADA Michele Armour, who heads Morrissey’s Family Violence/Special Victims Unit, gave a presentation on the group’s obligations as mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse. She was joined by Susan Devine, Regional Counsel for the Department of Children and Families.
“There is often a barrier to asking for help in elder abuse, sexual abuse, and domestic abuse – that is something the abuser and victimizer counts on,” Morrissey said. “The trust that your congregations have in you make you powerful voices in their decisions to ask for help. It is our hope today to provide you with all that we can to make your counsel to those people as informed and effective as possible.”
Morrissey thanked all those who took time out of their busy schedules to participate in this valuable training.
He invites About Town readers that may need assistance to contact his office at 781-830-4800. His office offers training programs in senior safety, underage drinking detection, consumer protection, animal cruelty prevention, and a family violence special victims unit.
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