By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – A lieutenant with the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation’s Special Victims Unit will present on topics ranging from Internet safety to dating safety and the dangers of sexting during a few upcoming events for students and parents at Thompson High School.

On Wednesday, Feb. 13, all Thompson High School students will attend a presentations by Lt. Brooke Walker of the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation’s Special Victims Unit. Walker will speak to male and female students in separate sessions.

The presentation will cover healthy relationships, the emotional and legal consequences of sexting, Internet safety and dating safety.  Parents who have questions or don’t want their children to attend the presentations are encouraged to contact a school administrator.

Walker will also provide the presentation to parents on Tuesday, Feb. 12 starting at 6:30 p.m. in the THS Performing Arts Center. She will present the same information she presents to students, but will also include tips for parents to communicate with their teens. All parents and community members are welcome to attend, and there is no cost for admission.

“We are excited to have Lt. Walker speak to our students about these important topics. Lt. Brooke Walker is the Commander of the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation’s Special Victims Unit. The SVU is the parent division of the Child Exploitation Unit and the Digital Forensic Unit,” ACS Student Services Coordinator Dorann Tanner said, noting Shelby County District Attorney Jill Lee helped THS book Walker for the events. “Brooke has 19 years of law enforcement experience, with 13 years focusing on the investigations of Internet crimes against children and child sexual exploitation.”

Walker also is the commander of the Alabama Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which hosts more than 60 law enforcement agencies and more than 100 affiliate members. She conducts public outreach for law enforcement officers, educators, administrators students and parents to enhance their awareness and preventative measures for online safety. Walker holds a masters in criminal justice administration from Troy University.