Blodgett to hold cyberbullying seminar in April

PEABODY – Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett will hold the 8th annual Spring School Safety Conference at the Peabody Marriott on April 28, with a focus on cyberbullying and featuring three nationally renowned experts.The conference, “Prevention Strategies and Planning: Bullying, Cyberbullying and School Violence,” is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is filled to capacity, according to Blodgett spokesman Steve O’Connell.The featured speakers include Dr. William Pollack, author of “Real Boys” and associate clinical professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Pollack will discuss the recent U.S. Secret Service study, “Bystander to School Violence,” of which he is the principal investigator.Dr. Robin Kowalski, professor of psychology at Clemson University, will discuss her latest book, “Cyberbullying: Bullying in the Digital Age.”Attorney Richard Cole, former Massachusetts assistant attorney general and nationally known civil rights attorney, will talk about strategies for developing safe school environments.”The advent of technology has provided another forum for bullying and victimization,” said Blodgett. “I have no doubt that cyberbullying is on the rise and in many instances leads to dangerous situations. So it is imperative that we provide training for police and educators to help ensure safe schools for our children. It’s critical that we be proactive, not reactive, in order to prevent tragedies from occurring.”Blodgett is hosting the conference in collaboration with the Beverly and Triton Regional public schools, and the Anti-Defamation League, New England Region. The hotel is located at 8 Centennial Drive where the conference room can accommodate 300 attendees, mostly from the fields of education and law enforcement.For more information please contact Ruth Budelmann, director of juvenile justice for the Essex District Attorney’s Office, at 978-745-6610, ext. 5086.