PROVIDENCE, RI -United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha announced today that his office is set to launch Circles and Silence programs in Rhode Island schools statewide for a 5^th consecutive school year. Additionally, U.S. Attorney Cunha today launched an Internet Safety resource page on the Rhode Island U.S. Attorney's Office web site, providing families with important information to help protect children while on the internet.

The Circles and Silence program and the Internet Safety resource page, which includes important an important public service announcement from U.S. Attorney Cunha to parents about ways to help protect kids from online threats, are part of several U.S. Attorney's Office community outreach initiatives related to crime prevention, enforcement, protecting individuals' civil rights, and assisting victims.

"Whether it's the risk of opioids and addiction, or the threat posed by online predators, the back-to-school season is the perfect time for parents to make sure that they talk to their kids, understand the threats they face online and in the community, and partner with us in the effort to help keep our children and communities safe," remarked U.S. Attorney Cunha.

The Circles and Silence Program, an education and outreach model that addresses opioid addition, prevention, and recovery, is built around a five-time Emmy nominated, locally produced U.S. Attorney's Office documentary film narrated by a diverse group of Rhode Island young adults whose personal true-life stories delve deeply into their distinct journeys of drug dependency and recovery. The film documents their paths from addiction, in some instances to prison, to successful management of addiction, to working daily to lead productive and healthy lifestyles. In addition to sharing their stories, individuals who appear in the film participate in in-person conversation sessions with students.

To date, more than 30,000 Rhode Island students and community members across the state have attended Circles and Silence programs. The U.S. Attorney's Office will kick-off the new school year on September 17, 2024, with a presentation to students at Cranston East High School. Later that same day, the U.S. Attorney's Office will present a program on elder abuse and elder fraud at the Salvatore Mancini Senior Center in North Providence.

Visit the U.S. Attorney's web site to learn more about these initiatives and other outreach programs offered by the United States Attorney's Office. To schedule a Circles and Silence presentation, or any outreach initiative program, contact United States Attorney's Office Community Engagement & Crime Prevention Coordinator David Neill at (401) 709-5035 or at [email protected].