The investigation into accusations of child sexual abuse against former Syracuse University associate basketball coach Bernie Fine has inspired the McMahon-Ryan Child Advocacy Center to organize a public town hall meeting to discuss sexual abuse in youth athletics.  

The session is scheduled for next Thursday, January 19th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm at Storer Auditorium on the campus of Onondaga Community College.    Teachers, coaches and parents involved with youth athletics are invited to attend.  If  you cannot be there you can watch the Town Hall meeting on CNYcentral's digital channel 3.3 or 864 on Time Warner Cable.

The discussion will educate the public on several topics including:

• Why youth groups are at risk for attracting sexual offenders
• What are the signs and symptoms  
• How to react to a disclosure
• How to report suspected abuse
• How to prevent abuse in your organization

 Among the eight panelists, Tim Donovan, Director of the SUNY Youth Sports Institute, will share what his organization is doing to help youth sports programs correct organizational deficiencies and how organizations can create a sustainable positive sport environment. Also, Dan Leonard, a male sex abuse survivor, will share his insight as a victim of abuse he endured as a teen at the hands of his high school football coach.  

Panelists will include:

Dan Leonard, Male Sex Abuse Survivor, Julie Cecile, Executive Director, McMahon/ Ryan Child Advocacy Center, Allison Young,  Director, Sexual Abuse Services, Family Transitions, Elmcrest Children’s Center, Ellen Ford, Clinical Director, Vera House,  Representative from  Abused Person’s Unit, Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, Bryan Lendy, Sergeant, Abused Person’s Unit, City of Syracuse Police Department, Tim Donovan, Director, SUNY Youth Sports Institute and Christine Garvey, Chief Asst. District Attorney, Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office.

The Town Hall Meeting will begin with a viewing of a video “Child Sexual Predators: The Familiar Stranger” that was developed by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services  as a tool to instruct parents on how to protect their children from sexual predators. Ample time for questions and answers is built into the program.

Please visit www.mcmahonryan.org  or call 701-2985 for more information.