Lower Bucks County: NOVA'S Educational Programs Go Virtual

Yardley PA

13 March, 2021

9:08 AM

Description

Press release from the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce: Bucks County, PA 03/12/2021 (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 [email protected]. 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. This press release was produced by the Lower Bucks County Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed are the author's own.