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Community Corner

Women's Safety Program in 16th Year

Farmington Police Department to Host Women's Personal Safety Program

The Farmington Police department is again hosting a free personal safety program for women this fall. The program was first offered in 1995, coincidentally just after a shooting and sexual assault in a local office. 

“Farmington is a safe community, but things do happen here,” said Officer Susan DiVenere, one of the founders of the program. “We already had written the proposal and were working on funding when that incident occurred.”

DiVenere said the program typically attracts about 40 women, but in 2007, following the Cheshire home invasion, 75 women attended.  

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The first class will be held 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Tuesday Oct. 20 and will cover education and prevention. Topics covered in the first class will include home and work safety, parking lot safety; what to do if you think you are being stalked or being stopped by someone posing as an officer; sexual assault; domestic violence and identity theft. The pros and cons of carrying a gun or personal tools such as pepper spray will also be discussed.

The second class will be held 6:30-9:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 27 and will be geared toward post-victimization issues.

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“We have had a handful of women who have taken the course and reported responding better to things that happened to them afterwards,” DiVenere added.

“One woman who took the class was later the victim of a home break-in. She credited being able to think clearly during the attack to having taken the class and has come in to talk to students about her experience.” 

Both classes will be held in the Yates Community/Training room at Farmington Police Headquarters, 319 New Britain Avenue, Unionville.

The program is open to women at least 16 years of age. There is no fee. To register for either or both classes, contact Officer Susan DiVenere at (860) 675-2431 or diveneres@farmington-ct.org.

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