Jan. 8, 2009 – Silent Witness, an anti-violence, anti-animal cruelty conference, will take place from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., on Friday, Jan. 30, at the Divi Carina Bay Conference Center on St. Croix. Territory leaders, policy makers, law enforcement and members of the animal welfare community have been invited, and it is open to concerned members of the public as well.
An estimated 70 percent of pet owners who reported domestic violence in the home also reported violence against the family pet. According to the American Humane Association and National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, violence is used against companion animals – injuring, maiming or killing the family pet – as revenge. The St. Croix Animal Welfare Center (AWC) will focus on these grim statistics at the upcoming Silent Witness Conference.
The conference will feature guest lecturers: Phil Arkow of the American Humane Association, who specializes in the link between domestic violence and animal cruelty; prosecuting attorney Allie Phillips, J. D. of the American Humane Association, who will speak on investigating and trying animal cruelty cases; and William Fielding, researcher with the College of the Bahamas, who has published case studies on the correlation between violence against animals and people on that island nation.
The Silent Witness conference will conclude with a special Territorial Leadership Panel. Panel members will include among others Attorney General Vincent Frazier, Mike Evans of U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Mary Mingus of the Women’s Coalition, Lynn Spencer of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Counsel, Commissioner Chris Finch of the Department of Human Services, Moises Carmona of the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center, as well as representatives from Congresswoman Christensen’s office, VIPD Commissioner’s office and the V.I. Department of Tourism.
The cost is $30 and includes breakfast, lunch and afternoon coffee. Although payment may be made upon arrival, pre-registration is required. Register by Jan. 15 by e-mailing communications@stcroixawc.org or calling 778-1650. More information and online registration is available via the AWAC Web site:
www.StCroixAWC.org
