Executive Director’s Report 2007
We are expecting something great in 2008! I have been greatly blessed to see the doors of opportunity open for LICCV to serve the citizens of Long Island. The list that follows gives a brief overview of how we are being used to make a difference.
Law Enforcement: I am encouraged by the growth of working relationships with law enforcers on Long Island. Officials from the Suffolk and Nassau County District Attorneys offices have committed themselves to assisting LICCV in every effort. LICCV is also working with enforcement officials in several townships to ensure the enforcement of local ordinances. We have a working relationship with the Racket Squads of both counties. The second precinct of Huntington is working with me on a pilot program to enforce Display Code 245.30. We are beginning to work with Statistic and Development departments of both counties on tracking the use of pornography in sexually oriented crimes.
Media Relations: LICCV continues to receive opportunities to educate the general public through interviews. We have provided comments for The New York and Newsday have recently interviewed us for feature articles. I have been involved in several press conferences around the community in reference to shutting down SOB’s. Recently we were interviewed for a podcast. Visit us @ www.liccv.org to hear it in its entirety.
Volunteers: A growing team of volunteers continues to multiply our effectiveness. Our volunteers have come mainly through my speaking engagements in churches and organizations. We are building team of key volunteers from every community on the Island. Our volunteer needs have changed as our office grows. We are currently revising the force. Just recently we have been referred to students for internships working in the fields of Political Science and History.
Local Community Involvement: LICCV is currently involved in Huntington, East Northport, Patchogue, Islip, Centereach, Smithtown, Hempstead, Wheatley Heights, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and New York City. We are also assisting new coalitions in Poughkeepsie NY, and Delevan County, NY. As LICCV becomes better known, we are receiving more calls from citizens concerned about their neighborhoods. Our reputation as the “expert” on Long Island is growing.
Educating and Involving the Churches /Synagogues: I am speaking in as many as 2 -3 churches, youth groups, and/or organizations per week. When I am not available, my wife Dianne is able to represent LICCV quite effectively. These opportunities are crucial to LICCV in many ways... they provide a chance to educate, mobilize volunteers and build support. LICCV has been very warmly received in the churches on Long Island and I believe it is one of our greatest strengths. I recently participated in a Youth Symposium with the Catholic Diocese and am being considered to share in their schools. I am continuing to develop relationships with several Jewish leaders in the community. We continue to reach out to the local business and civic organizations that are finally beginning to embrace us.
Legislation.: We are working on strengthening zoning ordinances in several LI townships where inadequate laws exist. LICCV, with the help of town attorneys, are working to institute a county wide ordinance and stop SOB’s from closing up in one town and opening in another. LICCV is pioneering a state-wide bill presented by Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (D-Bronx). We assisted in legislating a Voyeurism law in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. With our assistance the Town of Huntington has developed an across the board Town Code for displaying pornography in any retail establishment. We are currently working with the county Sheriff’s Department to remove porn from the jails and prisons. We have also been initiating an effort to enforce recent legislation outlawing the sale of porn on our military bases.
Internet/Wireless Pornography: This is the “cutting edge” problem facing us. Young children and teens have easy access to graphic, hard-core pornography on their computer screens, cell phones, 1-Pods and MP3 players. Child molesters now use the Internet as their primary means of meeting unsuspecting victims. We have begun to address the problem here on Long Island through seminars and workshops. In September I spoke at a Symposium in Staten Island on “The Internet in the Library”. I have been invited by Suffolk County Racquet Squad to attend a training session on police procedures concerning the Internet. February 07 launched our Internet Safety Initiative and coordinated an effort with 10 youth groups, and presented i-Care and i-Safe to over 100 youth. The following morning we held a similar seminar for their parents and leaders. To date we have held 10 such seminars.
Victim Assistance: We have built a broad base referral system of local counselors who are specifically trained in treating sexual abuse. Victims approach me after every meeting to share how pornography has devastated them or a loved one. We now have “More Than Conquerors at Home” a mentoring program. We assist both men & women. Our monthly women’s group “Women Side by Side” has had over 30 women complete our mentoring program. Rahab’s Token, an outreach to women in the sex industry, is available to those who want out. As those being mentored complete the program they in turn are able to mentor others. We have assisted over 200 individuals through these programs.
Educating Youth: To date, I have spoken to at least 28,000 young people in over 20 local schools. More speaking engagements are coming up. We must educate the youngest and most vulnerable about the devastating impact of pornography before they are hurt. We have begun to work on a new “Sexual Wholeness” initiative we call “Youth @ Risk and Child Safety Program.” iI is being very well received! We are in junior & senior high schools as well as colleges, secular and private alike. This year we intend to expand our Youth @ Risk program to include iPure4U, a faith-based outreach to youth ages 13-18 and 19-25.
