East Georgia State College, a sponsor of the Regional Multidisciplinary Team training, hosted a two-day event August 15 and 16, in the Jean Morgan Building on the college campus in Swainsboro. Over 100 members of law enforcement, Department of Family and Children Services’ investigators, Juvenile Justice workers and prosecutors joined together to hear an internationally acclaimed child abuse expert, Victor Vieth, discuss investigation and prosecution of child abuse.
Mr. Vieth, of the Zero Abuse Project, conducted three 90-minute trainings on topics of vital interest to participants in addition to presenting the Keynote Address at the Luncheon Wednesday. Other speakers included the dynamic and motivating Kevin McNeil who gave the welcome address and spoke as a former Atlanta Detective and as a survivor of child sexual abuse. Other speakers included Dr. Stephen Messner, of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta who spoke on the Forensic Medical Examination. Dr. Curt Holmes and Dr. Sara McArthur of Sunshine House CAC staff spoke on Problematic Sexual Behavior of Youth. Mary Bragg sang the moving song “Don’t Say A Word” written by Cici Porter in 2003 to highlight the difficulty of child victims to disclose abuse. In addition, on Tuesday evening, participants were treated to their choice of a wonderful steak or shrimp dinner at McKinney’s Pond where Trish and staff did their best to provide a wonderful evening for the 75 guests. Swainsboro native Mary Bragg and her band from Nashville provided a lively concert from 6 to 8 p.m.
Sponsors of the event, in addition to East Georgia State College, include the Mill Creek Foundation, Nordson Foundation, Correll Family Foundation, Robins Financial Credit and Daniels Chevrolet. Sponsors were present at the luncheon on Wednesday to hear the very impressive and dedicated Victor Vieth give the Keynote Address, “ Unto the Third Generation: A Call to End Child Abuse in 30 Years” Over 160 people attended the luncheon and keynote address.
