(BUCKS COUNTY, Pa.) As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) is now offering several of their education and prevention programs virtually. These programs are part of NOVA’s mission of reducing the incidences of crime through prevention and education programs for Bucks County students and residents.
NOVA offers school-based programs on topics including: cyberbullying,
personal safety, healthy relationships, internet safety, and many others. NOVA is also
currently providing virtual training for adults and professionals on the topics
of Mandated Reporting of Child Abuse, Child Sexual Abuse Prevention and Human
Trafficking.
NOVA educators
are placing extra emphasis on its cyberbullying prevention programs as the
effects of quarantine and stay-at-home orders due to COVID-19 has resulted in increased
usage of computers, phones, social media and the internet and this surge in
usage has led to increased incident of cyberbullying. According to L1ght, an organization that
tracks online hate speech and harassment, there has been a 70% increase in
cyberbullying in just a matter of months.
NOVA’s cyberbullying prevention program clarifies digital rights and responsibilities and teaches appropriate strategies and effective responses to handle cyberbullying. “NOVA’s educators have worked hard to transform our traditional in-person prevention education programs into programs that could be taught virtually, and the programs we have presented thus far have been extremely well received by students and teachers. We are grateful for the opportunity to reach students in Bucks County on these virtual platforms,” remarked Pattie Cavalli, Education/Awareness Prevention Coordinator for NOVA.
To learn more about NOVA’s virtual programs, visit: https://www.novabucks.org/prevention. For more information, contact Education and Awareness Prevention
Coordinator, Pattie Cavalli, at 215-343-6543 x 6702 or email pattie@novabucks.org.
ABOUT NOVA
Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA) supports,
counsels and empowers victims of sexual assault and other serious crimes in
Bucks County and works to prevent and eliminate violence in society through
advocacy, training, community education and prevention programs. Founded in
1974, NOVA is a non-profit 501(c)(3), community-based organization operating
out of three offices in Fairless Hills, Jamison and Perkasie. Services are made
possible through the financial support of federal, state and local government grants
and contracts, corporations, foundations and private donations. All
contributions are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. For more
information, visit www.NOVABucks.org.
