Executive Director recently Richard Whidden engaged in a debate on on-line child safety and the steps that should be taken to protect children in cyberspace. Richard argued that while filtering and education are helpful, the rate of children being exposed to unwanted sexual material has risen and more needs to be done to protect children on line.
The debate was published in the Wall Street Journal On-line edition on November 10, 2006.
Law Enforcement professionals from the U.S. Marshal's Office for the Western District of Virginia, Virginia State Police, Giles County Sheriff's Office, and Pearisburg Police Department were recognized as Child Defender Award recipients on July 9, 2008. The ceremony was held at the Federal Court House in Roanoke, Virginia.