OCEAN COUNTY – Staff from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office (OCPO) spoke with over 20,000 students in Ocean County on bullying, internet safety and the dangers of social media.
During the 2022-2023 school year, more than 30 OCPO staff visited 70 schools and delivered 145 multi-media presentations to students in grade schools, intermediate schools, and high schools throughout the County.
“I am thankful to all of our staff for taking the time speak to our youth. We had assistant prosecutors, detectives, victim witness advocates, agents and clerical staff here in our office volunteer to be a part of this presentation program. We received positive feedback from students, teachers and administrators regarding the presentations – and we are looking forward to doing it again next year,” Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.
The presentations incorporated information on the dangers of social media, bullying and cyberbullying, explaining the importance of students exercising good judgment in their interaction with one another, online and in school.
In addition, the presentations included three Challenge Day Programs, which were held at Barnegat Township High School, Toms River High School North, and Lacey Township High School.
Sponsored by the OCPC, Challenge Day consisted of 100 students, school staff members, and adult volunteers from the community for a full day of exercises and dialogue about bullying, harassment, conflict management, and other important issues effecting students.
The program was designed to “unite students, and empower them to carry out the program’s objectives throughout the school year and beyond.”
