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January 2016 Community Education E-bulletin

1/5/2016

Welcome to the January 2016 edition of Hope House's Community Education E-bulletin!

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. Baraboo High School T-Shirt Design Competition
2. Hope House Donation Needs
3. Sexual Assault
4. Domestic Violence
5. Miscellaneous News
6. Local News
7. Parents' and Youth Service Providers' Section
8. Faith Communities' Section

Baraboo High School T-Shirt Design Competition
The Advisory Committee for Hope House's Rape Prevention Education sub-grant is planning a design competition at Baraboo High School (BHS)! Throughout February, Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, BHS students can submit original artwork that celebrates a culture of consent and emphasizes the importance of respect in relationships. The top design will be printed on t-shirts so students and community members can wear their support! “Like” Hope House's Facebook page to stay updated and see sneak previews of submitted designs.

Hope House Donation Needs
Monetary donations are most needed. Individuals have the option of donating online. Please note that a portion of your online donation will go towards PayPal fees. Donations can be mailed to Hope House, P.O. Box 557, Baraboo, WI 53913. We also appreciate gas cards, gift cards (Walmart, Kwik Trip, Walgreens, Kohl’s), taxi vouchers from Baraboo Taxi, and used cell phones, iPods and iPads. Please note that we are not accepting stuffed animals/plush toys, used toys, clothes (except for new sweatshirts and sweatpants), shoes, used books, furniture, TVs, bar soap, hats, scarves or travel-size bottles of shampoo, conditioner, or body wash. Current needs include

Bathrooms: Toilet bowl cleaner, Toilet paper, Deodorant, Disposable razors, Small garbage cans with bags, Nail clippers, Cleaning supplies such as Lysol disinfecting spray and floor cleaner, Clorox wipes, Hairspray, Bleach, Bathroom rugs and bath mats
Kitchen: Paper towels, Ziploc bags, Silverware, Tupperware, Small mason jars, Dishwasher soap, 13-Gallon garbage bags, Brush for cleaning bottles, Sip cups, Saran wrap, Aluminum foil
Food and Beverages: Meat, Fresh fruit and vegetables, Yogurt, Cheese, Canned soup, Snack items (crackers, granola bars, etc.), Fruit juice, Milk
Laundry: Powder laundry detergent, Dryer sheets, Fabric softener sheets
Clothing for Women and Kids: Winter boots, Socks, Women’s underwear, Medium-Large size pajamas, New sweatshirts and sweatpants
Misc: Vacuum, New white full/twin bed sheets, Double stroller, Baby wipes, Band-Aids, Diapers and pull-ups, Pocket-sized calendars, Baby bottles, Umbrellas, Hangers, Weather radio, Journals, Exercise balls, Yoga/exercise DVDs, Relaxation CDs, Baby thermometer, CD players, Regular light bulbs

Special Note about Travel-Size Items: We encourage those looking to donate travel-size items to donate them to the Backpack Project. The Backpack Project strives to provide Baraboo School District students who are financially challenged to enter the school doors on the first day ‘just like everyone else’ and to show these children the community supports and encourages them to learn and do their best. If interested in donating towards this project, please contact Becky Hovde at 608-963-8230 or hivebiz@centurytel.net.

News & Research
Sexual Assault

13 Black Women on How an Oklahoma City Police Officer Terrorized Their Neighborhood: “These questions are underscored in the testimony of 13 black women in Oklahoma City who accused former police officer Daniel Holtzclaw of several instances of sexual assault and rape. Thursday night, a jury found Holtzclaw guilty on 18 out of 36 charges of burglary, indecent exposure, stalking, sexual battery, forcible oral sodomy, and rape after 40 hours of deliberation”…Read more…Read related articles: Daniel Holtzclaw: Former Oklahoma City Police Officer Guilty of Rape, Oklahoma City Ex-Cop's Convictions a Rare Triumph for Rape Victims, and Daniel Holtzclaw's Accusers Teach Us A Lot About Rape Culture
Montgomery County DA Charges Bill Cosby in 2004 Sexual Assault: “The criminal investigation into Cosby was reopened in July after new evidence was learned, according to Montgomery County prosecutor Kevin Steele. These developments highlight several important facts about sexual assault: Delayed disclosures of sexual violence are normal and common”…Read more…Read related article: Bill Cosby Charged in Sexual Assault Case
I Left My Pimp at 19 and Started an Organization That Serves Sexually Exploited Young Women: “Even though we were from different cultures and different continents, I knew what it was like to grow up in a home filled with violence, substance abuse, and to learn distorted lessons about love and family. I knew what it was like to be broke and homeless, longing for love and security. To be so very vulnerable to the lure of the commercial sex industry and open to the false promises of a pimp. I knew what it felt like when the girls would say they were trapped, that they didn’t believe there was a future for them and that they would never be able to do anything else. And I knew the pain of confusing love with fear, and security with control. What I also knew (that many of the girls didn’t know yet) was how hard it is to leave, to start from scratch, to heal from the trauma, and to begin to feel like you actually belonged in the ‘square’ world”…Read more
UW-Madison Now Under Federal Investigation for Handling of Three Sex Assault Cases: “The instigation of a new probe last month means the University of Wisconsin-Madison is under federal investigation for its handling of three sexual violence cases, among the highest for any college campus in the nation”…Read more

"Silent Consent" Photo Series By Miklos Kiss Highlights Violence Against Women & Demonstrates The Complexities Of Consent: “Instead of assuming that only ‘no’ means ‘no,’ new affirmative consent standards are dictating that only ‘yes’ means ‘yes’ — and that's a good thing. But what happens when a ‘yes’ is not enthusiastic, but rather given under pressure, coercion, or threat? Miklos Kiss' "Silent Consent" photography series examines situations around the world where ‘yes’ does not mean ‘yes’ because women are not allowed to say ‘no’”…Read more
9 Lessons I've Learned As A Rape Crisis Counselor That Are Applicable To Everyday Life: “This lesson is also known as ‘showing up.’ It's 90 percent of the emergency room advocate's role. I was once called in for a survivor who hadn't slept for more than a day, because immediately after her attack, police and family members stepped in to start investigating. By the time I got there, she didn't want to tell her story again — she just wanted to sleep. So she slept. I read a magazine next to her and made sure no one came in the room whom she hadn't okayed. She could rest knowing that she was safe for those few hours. That was the best way her ER stay could have gone”…Read more

Domestic Violence

Activists Welcome China's 1st Domestic Violence Law: “Xinhua said the law defines domestic violence as physical, psychological and other harm inflicted by family members with beatings and verbal threats listed as examples. It protects married partners, children and the elderly, as well as cohabiting heterosexual couples. People in immediate danger can file for a personal protection order that can require the abuser to move out of the home and the court must rule within 72 hours. Longtime campaigner Feng Yuan welcomed the law, but said it doesn't protect gay partners or state clearly whether sexual violence is covered”…Read more
This Comedian Made A Brave Reveal On Instagram: She Was Raped By Her Ex: “‘I’ve had an amazing year and you’ve seen the highlights here, so these photos are an uncommon thing to share but not an uncommon issue,’ Stelling captioned a disturbing photo of her bruised limbs. ‘There are many reasons not to make an abusive relationship public, mostly fear. Scared of what people will think, scared it makes me look weak or unprofessional. When friends or comics ask why we broke up it’s not easy or comfortable to reply; it doesn’t seem like the appropriate thing to say at a stand-up show, a party or a wedding. It’s embarrassing. I feel stupid. After being verbally, physically abused and raped, I dated him for two more months. It’s not simple’”…Read more

13 Portraits Show Domestic Violence Survivors Will Not Be Defined By Their Abuse: “Created by artist Chantal Barlow, the Unconventional Apology Project features 13 portraits of domestic violence survivors or women who know someone who has experienced some form of abuse. Instead of shooting somber portraits of victims, Barlow took photos of survivors laughing and smiling to show that these women will not be defined by their abuse”…Read more
Groundbreaking New Domestic Abuse Laws Could Turn Emotional Abuse and Mind Games into Crimes: “The Scottish Government has launched a consultation looking at how best to take forward plans to create a specific new offence of domestic abuse. This could see the law expanded to take in a range of actions which are not currently classed as being criminal, such as depriving someone of their liberty, isolating them from loved ones and controlling their access to money”…Read more

Miscellaneous

Tipping the Scales: The Resilience Game: [From Harvard University] “In this interactive feature, you will learn how the choices we make can help children and the community as a whole become more resilient in the face of serious challenges. Negative events can occur at any moment, and it’s your job to choose positive events to counteract these negatives”…Read more and play
Financial Abuse of the Elderly: Sometimes Unnoticed, Always Predatory: “With 10,000 people turning 65 every day for the next decade, a growing pool of retirees are susceptible to such exploitation. As many as one in 20 older adults said they were financially mistreated in the recent past, according to a study financed by the Justice Department…Even when the sums are large, cases like Ms. Cooper’s are often difficult to prosecute because of their legal complexity and because the exploitation goes unnoticed or continues for long periods. Money seeps out of savings and retirement funds so slowly it draws attention only after it is too late”…Read more…Read related article: What Banks Are Doing to Halt Elder Abuse
Justice Department Issues Guidance on Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias in Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence: “The guidance, through a series of detailed case examples, advises law enforcement agencies to incorporate the following principles into clear policies, comprehensive training and effective supervision protocols: Recognize and address biases, assumptions and stereotypes about victims. Treat all victims with respect and employ interviewing tactics that encourage a victim to participate and provide facts about the incident. Investigate sexual assault or domestic violence complaints thoroughly and effectively. Appropriately classify reports of sexual assault or domestic violence. Refer victims to appropriate services. Properly identify the assailant in domestic violence incidents. Hold officers who commit sexual assault or domestic violence accountable”…Read more
How Did Social Media Get So Vicious?: “When you spot a woman getting attacked or unfairly criticized, consider writing on her feed a simple ‘ouch’ or ‘Please, have respect.’ Those words, especially ‘ouch,’ put a troll on notice, says Southworth—without, most likely, inciting him or her to turn on you. She also urges you to get your male buddies to do the same. ‘There's such power in men holding other men accountable,’…The point: Remind people #letsbehuman. Making direct contact worked for Alanah Pearce, a 22-year-old gaming journalist. After getting the message ‘i'll rape u if i ever see u c—t’ on Facebook, she started sleuthing and discovered the message had been sent by a teenage boy. So she did what most of us would do in real life: She told his mom. ‘I was wondering if you might be interested in discussing [this] with him,’ she messaged. The mom responded…Afterward, the boy stopped harassing Pearce”…Read more

Deck The Gals With Neon Duct Tape: Photographer Declares “Peace On Earth” By Silencing Women In Family’s Holiday Photo: “Certainly it’s in poor taste, but hopefully the little girls are not suffering from ripping off the painful duct tape, or the utterly bizarre experience of being tied up with Christmas lights, or from hearing the message: ‘Actually, the world is more pleasant when your voice isn’t in it.’ Because that is the overall message and theme of this photo – women are better silent and unmoving than talking and taking action. That is what these girl are being told, even if you think this joke is ‘cute’”…Read more
Watch A Reporter Shut Down R. Kelly's Sexist On-Air Tantrum: “R. Kelly got a bit miffed Monday afternoon when HuffPost Live host Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani questioned the artist about how the sexual assault allegations against him impact the way fans consume his music. Kelly was so affronted by the line of questioning that he up and left the studio -- but not before he commented on Modarressy-Tehrani's appearance, wondered whether she knew what the word ‘deposition’ meant and questioned her level of intelligence”…Read more
Why You Should Always Buy the Men’s Version of Almost Anything: “The New York City Department of Consumer Affairs compared nearly 800 products with female and male versions — meaning they were practically identical except for the gender-specific packaging — and uncovered a persistent surcharge for one of the sexes. Controlling for quality, items marketed to girls and women cost an average 7 percent more than similar products aimed at boys and men”…Read more
"What Did It Mean to ‘Be a Man’ in 2015?”: “2015 was the year that masculinity became a global topic of conversation. To further the dialogue, The Representation Project focused our fourth annual video retrospective on the state of masculinity. Check out ‘What did it mean to ‘be a man’ in 2015?’ above and share positive examples of masculinity with #Unmasked”…Watch the video here

Local News

Man accused of sex offense commits suicide: “Police say the body of David J. Knoble was found Dec. 30 at his residence in the 400 block of South Park Street in Reedsburg. Knoble was wanted by authorities for allegedly sexually assaulting an underage parishioner while serving as the music director at a Reedsburg church. The charges were filed Dec. 29 in Sauk County Circuit Court”…Read more
Groups bring suicide out of the shadows: “Among the participating coalitions is Prevent Suicide Columbia County, which formed in 2013… The Sauk Prairie School District is taking the lead in forming a new suicide prevention subgroup out of its existing Sauk Prairie Wellness Alliance, an organization formed this year to bring awareness to mental health issues in the community… Like Sauk Prairie, Mauston High School had a student commit suicide in the past year”…Read more
Daniel Coughlin, 52, of Lyndon Station, was found guilty of two counts of first degree sexual assault of a child and three counts of second degree sexual assault of a child…Read more
Christopher Donahou, 26, of Reedsburg, is facing felony charges for the abuse of mother and her 2-year-old child…Read more
David Schlough, 61, of Baraboo, has been charged with false imprisonment and misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct and operating a firearm while intoxicated…Read more

Parents' & Youth Service Providers' Section

The “Rude” Behavior I’m Teaching My Kids {Sexual Abuse Prevention}: “I have to teach them to trust their gut when they feel something they can’t put into words – and I have to be willing to trust it, too. And that means no matter who you are, my kids don’t have to give you a hug or kiss if they don’t want to. For ANY reason. Ever. The holiday season means more outings, more celebrations, more family gatherings, more crowds – more people in general…Children should not be forced to give or receive physical affection if they are not comfortable with it. What’s at stake is so much more serious than being labeled ‘rude’ or Aunt Mildred’s hurt feelings over being rejected by a 2-year-old. Why? Because 90% of children who are victims of sexual abuse know their abuser”…Read more
How Common Are Bullying and Fighting among High Schoolers?: “In 2013, US high school students took the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey. This infographic outlines some of the findings related to bullying and fighting”…View the infographic
Why High School Students Don’t Intervene to Stop Dating Violence: “The overwhelmingly majority of teens witness dating aggression or sexual violence among their peers, but many choose not to intervene — sometimes because they want to avoid drama, sometimes because they want to fuel drama, and sometimes because they’re afraid of second-guessing a more popular kid…Teens also gave examples of how they had stepped in to shield friends from unwanted advances, or to show aggressive girls and boys that their interest was unrequited”…Read more
A Chilling Message About Sexism From Daughters To Their Dads: “Warning: The below video contains content that may be triggering to some readers. ‘Dear Daddy... I know you already try harder than Superman…but I need to ask you a favor. Warning: It’s about boys.’ That's how a powerful new video called ‘#DearDaddy’ begins. Created by the Norwegian charity organization CARE, the five-minute video follows young women from birth to adulthood and uses a powerful narrative to illustrate the various forms of sexual assault, domestic violence and everyday sexism so many women experience throughout their lives”…Read more
SafeBAE Title IX PSA: Please watch this new 2-minute video on middle and high school students’ rights under Title IX and share with teens, parents of teens, and those that work with teens.

Faith Communities' Section
Free Faith Trust Institute Webinar on Jan. 6: Human Trafficking and the Role of the Faith Community: “Human trafficking is modern slavery. It is a complex, multi-billion dollar system that traps vulnerable people and economically exploits them. Women and children in our cities and towns are being forced into the sex trade. Join us for an examination of this issue, and how you and your faith community can make a difference in the lives of those in need. The abolition movement has been re-born, and we can each play a role in ending slavery. Robert Beiser, Executive Director of Seattle Against Slavery, will discuss how a coalition of grassroots activists have taken on the mission to end human trafficking, one city at a time." Time:1-2 pm CT Register for this online presentation.

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January 2016 Community Education E-bulletin

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