PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Lori Sitler 
Phone: (302) 577-8314 
Pager: (302) 247-1132 

Date: May 10, 2002 

A.G. BRADY HOSTS 2nd ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON ANIMAL CRUELTY AND INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE

(Dover, DE): The Attorney General's Task Force on Animal Cruelty and Interpersonal Violence will host the Second Annual Conference on Wednesday, May 29th at Wesley College, 120 North State Street in Dover. Children: As Victims, As Offenders, will bring together attorneys, social workers, veterinary and animal care professionals to discuss the link between animal abuse and child abuse and the correlation between commission of animal offenses as a child and violent criminal behavior later in life. Brady stated, " This conference will continue the exploration of available information to help us better respond to children who witness or exhibit violent behavior, so as to deter them from future, serious criminal conduct". 

National speakers include: Dr. Randall Lockwood, Vice President of Research and Educational Outreach with the Humane Society of the United States; Dr. Mary Lou Randour, director of Beyond Violence, a joint project of the Doris Day Animal Foundation and Psychologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals; and Ginger Prevas of the First Strike Campaign of the Humane Society of the United States. 

In November, 1999, Attorney General Brady created a Task Force on Animal Cruelty and Interpersonal Violence. The 40 member group includes representatives of public and non-profit social service agencies, veterinary and animal care professionals, prosecutors and law enforcement. The Task Force issued its report at The First National Conference on Animal Cruelty and Interpersonal Violence in March, 2001 following 16 months of study. The report recommended steps to foster improved responses to incidents of animal cruelty and personal violence, particularly domestic violence and child abuse. The Task Force continues to study laws and policies in Delaware, and develop training materials and a public awareness campaign. 

Conference sponsors include the Delaware Department of Justice, the Delaware SPCA, the Doris Day Foundation, the Humane Society of the United States, Psychologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Wesley College. The cost of the day-long conference is $50 and includes lunch. Application has been made for continuing professional education units for attorneys and social workers. To register or for more information, contact Dawn Thompson at 

(302) 577-8337. 


Attention Editors: The conference agenda is attached. Interviews will be possible during lunch and networking sessions. For a copy of the March 2001 report issued by the Task Force, please visit our website at attorneygeneral.delaware.gov.