Blog Archives

April 2016 Community Education E-bulletin

3/31/2016

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. Ways to Get Involved this Sexual Assault Awareness Month
2. Hope House Donation Needs
3. Sexual Assault
4. Campus Sexual Assault

5. Domestic Violence
6. Children and Youth
7. Miscellaneous News
8. Local News
9. Parents' and Youth Service Providers' Section

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month
It takes a community to create awareness and prevention and to begin building healthier relationships. Be part of the solution and join us at one or more of the upcoming activities and events in April. Click here to go to our Events page to learn more about our Stewards of Children child sexual abuse prevention training on April 2 in Baraboo, our Hope and Healing Quilt Project, Denim Day on April 27, Miss Representation film screening and discussion on April 28 in Baraboo, and more!

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, Body spray and makeup, 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: Laundry detergent, Dryer sheets, Fabric softener sheets
Clothing for Women and Kids: Socks, Women’s underwear, Medium-Large size pajamas, New sweatshirts and sweatpants
Misc: Diapers (especially sizes 4-6) and pull-ups, DVD or BluRay plaer, Vacuum, New white full/twin bed sheets, Double stroller, Baby wipes, Band-Aids, 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 and Research
Sexual Assault

The RAINN Survivor Series: “As the personal accounts of the survivors in this campaign reveal, there is no timeline for healing. Half of Online Hotline visitors use the session to talk about an event that occurred within the last six months, while 30% discuss an event that occurred more than 5 years ago. Watch and read the accounts of seven survivors–Keith, Julianna, Adam, Samentha, Lucy, Barbara, and Debra–to hear how RAINN helped them and how they are healing today”…Watch the videos
More High-Ranking Officers being Charged with Sex Crimes against Subordinates: “Since September, the armed forces have court-martialed or filed sexual-assault charges against four colonels from the Air Force, Army and Marines. In addition, a Navy captain was found guilty of abusive sexual contact during an administrative hearing. Historically, it has been extremely rare for senior military officers to face courts-martial. Leaders suspected of wrongdoing are usually dealt with behind the scenes, with offenders receiving private reprimands or removal from command with a minimum of public explanation”…Read more

Reminder: Sexual Violence Against Women Is More Important Than Sports: “So when we discuss alleged sexual violence, let’s keep the focus on the crimes, rather than on how those crimes might impact a sports team’s performance. Because when we put the pain of survivors on the back burner in favor of our March Madness brackets, no one wins”…Read more
Out Here, No One Can Hear You Scream: “In 2012 in Texas, members of the Parks and Wildlife Department complained about a ‘legacy’ of racial and gender intolerance; only 8 percent of the state's 500 game wardens were women. In 2014, in California, female employees of the U.S. Forest Service filed a class-action lawsuit—the fourth in 35 years—over what they described as an egregious, long-standing culture of sexual harassment, disparity in hiring and promotion, and retaliation against those who complained...And this January, the Department of the Interior’s Office of Inspector General announced that it had ‘found evidence of a long-term pattern of sexual harassment and hostile work environment’ in the Grand Canyon’s River District”…Read more

Campus Sexual Assault

There’s a Moving Story behind this Powerful Photo of Biden and a Sexual Assault Survivor at the Oscars: “Karesek, 22, told the vice president that before she went on stage she had been thinking about all the women and men who weren’t there because they’d taken their own lives after being sexually assaulted. Karasek began to cry, her eyes fixed on the floor, as she told him she hoped the performance would make others feel less alone, that it would save even just one life. That’s when Biden stooped down, clasped her hands and rested his forehead on hers. He told her that was why her bravery that night had been so important”…Read more
Students Protest Howard University's Handling of Alleged Rapes: “More than 100 Howard University students gathered Tuesday to protest the university's handling of investigations into two allegations of rape…In both cases, the alleged attacker is a student at Howard and a former residence hall advisor…And accusations of sexual misconduct appear to have followed the RA from California, where a woman forwarded a letter purported to be from UCLA officials to the same man – banning him from campus amid accusations he distributed revenge porn depicting a female student. Students have released a list of demands for the university in response to the alleged rapes, including more thorough investigations for alleged assaults”…Read more
Gov. Walker to Sign Sexual Assault Bill to Help College-Age Victims Report Crimes: “Petrowski says the new law will not only allow victims to report sexual assault without fear of being cited for alcohol consumption, certain witnesses will also have the same protections”…Read more
Why I Stayed and Why I Left My College After I Was Raped: “Whether or not they choose to report the assault, survivors on college campuses face an impossible dilemma of staying on a campus with her assailant or leaving the school. Neither choice is wrong. Cosmopolitan.com spoke with two women who were raped at their respective colleges — one woman who chose to stay after reporting her crime and another who chose to leave”…Read more

Domestic Violence

Marissa Alexander Released from Jail: “Marissa Alexander, the Florida mother whose case became a rallying cry for anti-racism activists and survivors of domestic violence, was released today after three years of incarceration. Alexander had faced up to 60 years behind bars for firing a single shot near her abusive husband, unable to convince a jury she had feared for her life”…Read more
Kansas City Group Opens Rare LGBTQ Domestic Violence Center: “Many areas of the country have only one LGBTQ anti-violence project and several states have none, said Chai Jindasurant, co-director of Community Organizing and Public Advocacy for the New York City Anti-Violence Project. And the few LGBTQ-specific shelters that do exist are mainly for runaways and homeless”…Read more
Why Undocumented Immigrants Stay in Abusive Relationships: “Of the 2,000 immigrants surveyed for that research, 70 percent of those who were undocumented said they would not contact law enforcement if they were victims...‘There are a lot of barriers for victims for domestic violence already, and when you add being undocumented, a whole other level exists. Unfortunately, the fear of deportation is one that is especially high’”…Read more

Dentist Helps Domestic Violence Survivors Smile Again With Free Services: “Dr. Tina Meisami, a Toronto-based dentist founded Project Restoring Smiles, a network of dentists that provide free dental treatment to survivors of domestic violence…CTV News reports that Meisami started the program in 2011 on International Women’s Day. Five years ago, there were only five dentists involved. Today Meisami has grown her network to 18 dentists (including herself) who have treated 45 patients and provided more than $200,000 worth of free dental work”…Read more
Domestic Violence During Pregnancy Doubles Risk Of Premature Birth: “Women who are in abusive relationships are also more likely to have less prenatal care and inadequate nutritional intake, she said, and some may turn to coping behaviors such as drinking or smoking cigarettes. Saftlas said she hopes that these findings will encourage OBGYNS and general practitioners to do more to screen pregnant women for signs of abuse, so they can get access to resources”…Read more

Children & Youth

Dating Violence: Peer Education Offers Strong Dose of Prevention: “Today, York, 21, chairs the National Youth Advisory Board at loveisrespect, a nonprofit group that aims to empower youth to end dating abuse. The group runs a hotline that teens and young adults can call, text or chat with online for advice about their lives. When they call, the voice on the other end of the line is someone just like them: a teenager or a young adult learning about how to build healthy relationships, someone who could be a friend but also has training and resources…Sometimes it pays to take a step even further back to learn how to talk about the kinds of important conversations that keep a relationship healthy, say the leaders of Speak About It, a nonprofit performance group based in Maine that talks with young people about sexual consent, boundaries and healthy relationships”…Read more
Native American Girls Fall through the Cracks: “They’re poor, more likely to be sexually abused, end up in foster care, drop out of school, become homeless. They’re often the prey of traffickers. American Indian and Native Alaskan girls are a small fraction of the population, but they are over-represented in the juvenile justice system, whether they are living on or off the reservation…American Indian girls often find themselves without state or local social service programs tailored to their cultural backgrounds and experiences, which are distinct from other girls living in or on the edge of poverty”…Read more

Teen Sexual Assault Survivors Felt Isolated And Alone. Now They’re Uniting To Protect Others: “Safe BAE is essentially a toolkit for students to set up campaigns to talk about sexual violence, consent and harassment at their schools. Students can start their own school chapters, or ‘SafeBAE Squads,’ and receive readymade flyers to use, as well as a brief introduction to their Title IX rights to go to school without facing gender-based harassment. PAVE recruited four survivors of high-profile high school sexual assault cases to help get Safe BAE off the ground. The squad includes a Houston teen named Jada Smith; Daisy Coleman of Maryville, Missouri; a survivor named Ella Fairon who started an advocacy campaign called ‘Buttervly’; and Delaney Henderson from Florida”…Read more
Sent Home From Middle School After Reporting A Rape: “Under those guidelines, schools have to thoroughly investigate all claims of sexual harassment and assault — even if the police are already investigating, and even if students don’t come forward themselves. Schools are supposed to ensure that the campus is not a ‘hostile’ sexual environment, inform students and their families about Title IX grievance procedures (such as who to file a complaint with, or what to do if you’re retaliated against for reporting), and designate a special Title IX coordinator to ensure they’re following the rules”…Read more…Read related article: High Schools Are Failing Girls Who Report Sexual Assault

Miscellaneous News

When It Comes To Domestic Abuse And Sexual Assault Reporting, Deaf Women Are Underserved By Police: “Deaf women experience sexual and domestic abuse at much higher rates than women who hear, but are unlikely to report it. A new initiative announced last week from the Vera Institute of Justice, a New York City-based nonprofit, and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office for Victims of Crime aims to change that by training police officers to facilitate communication with deaf victims, such as teaching them how to find legitimate sign language interpreters”…Read more
Hey Siri, Can I Rely on You in a Crisis? Not Always, a Study Finds: “Apple and Google’s assistants offered a suicide hotline number in response to a suicidal statement, and for physical health concerns Siri showed an emergency call button and nearby hospitals. But no virtual assistant recognized every crisis, or consistently responded sensitively or with referrals to helplines, the police or professional assistance”…Read more
Etsy's 6 Month Paid Parental Leave: The New Normal In Tech As U.S. Law Lags: “All employees of the online retailer will be eligible for six months of fully paid leave, regardless of gender or whether they become parents through birth or adoption…The U.S. remains the only developed country in the world with no laws guaranteeing paid parental leave of any kind. The Family and Medical Leave Act mandates 12 weeks of unpaid maternity leave, but only to full-time workers at companies with over 50 employees. Only 12% of American workers are offered paid leave through their employers”…Read more
Riveting Video Shows The Harmful Consequences Of Objectifying Women: “Women Not Objects, a project dedicated to calling out the objectification of women in commercials, magazine spreads and other forms of advertising, has released a new video focusing on how harmful these unrealistic beauty standards truly are…To combat this mistreatment of women, people held up signs explaining why they’re standing up to the use of women and their bodies as mere objects. It’s not just affecting them”…Read more...Read related article: 5 Things You Can Do to End Sexual Exploitation of Women and Girls in the Media

Company has Perfect Response after being Sent Pink 'For Her' Pens: “On International Women's Day, British smoothie company Innocent received some pink and purple BiC 'For Her' pens in the post. Rather than getting annoyed by the bizarre gift, Innocent decided to handle the pens in the best way possible — with some good, old-fashioned social media sarcasm”…Read more
Names We'd Like To See When We Google 'Women Changing The World': “In honor of International Women's Day and Women's History Month, here's a collection of some amazing global women that NPR has profiled in just the past few months. Maybe in a few years they'll top Google's lists of women changing the world in ways large and small”…Read more
16 Courageous Women Standing Up to Violence: “The Institute for Inclusive Security, an NGO that supports women’s contributions to peacebuilding, brought these 16 women together for its 2016 annual colloquium to talk about how they stand up to violence in all its myriad forms”…Read more
President Obama Applauds Every Brave Woman Speaking Out Against Online Harassment: “Obama said that while it’s important for women to continue to speak up about online harassment, it’s also integral that men join in. ‘This is not just the role for women,’ he said. ‘It’s about men speaking up and demanding better of themselves and their peers, their sons, their friends, their coworkers. Because we’re all in this together’”…Read more

Local News

Dakota Myer, 23, of New Lisbon, is charged with sexual assault of a child under 16 repeater and incest repeater…Read more
April Stokes, 36, of Elroy, is charged with two counts of sexual assault by correctional staff…Read more
Patrick Kraemer, 47, accused of killing his then-girlfriend, 43-year-old Traci Rataczak in April 2013, has been committed to a psychiatric treatment facility where he will remain until he is found competent to proceed with his trial on a charge of first-degree homicide…Read more
Shaquille Brown-Johnson, 22, of Reedsburg, faces three felony charges of second-degree sexual assault of a child under the age of 16 and three misdemeanor counts of sexual assault of a child over 16…Read more
Anne Simon, 59, of Baraboo, who stabbed her brother to death pleaded guilty to reduced charges Monday and was sentenced to five years behind bars…Read more
Justin Bryce, 26, of Friesland, charged with two counts of strangulation and suffocation, two counts of substantial battery-intent to do bodily harm, and one count of false imprisonment…Read more

Parents' and Youth Service Providers' Section

National Youth Violence Prevention Week April 4-8: “The National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) is proud to be a founding partner of the National Youth Violence Prevention Week Campaign…SAVE serves as the crossroads to the campaign and provides countless resources to prepare for the event, including the official campaign Action Kit that serves as a step-by-step planning guide, suggestions for how each sector of the community can support the campaign, activity ideas, links to national organizations sponsoring the event, articles and interviews on violence prevention, and much, much more!”
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month: Check out the website from the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services’ Child Welfare Information Gateway. It has tip sheets, a prevention resource guide, scenarios, sample calendars, videos, and more.
Child Sexual Abuse: Stop It Now: “We've recently updated the Take Action page on our website to include new ways you can help make a difference…We hope you'll spring into action and join with us to take the necessary steps towards protecting children.”
The Trevor Project’s Lifeguard Workshop: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth are at increased risk for depression and suicide. The Trevor Project’s Lifeguard Workshop—a free online module—is designed to help educators support these students. The site also offers classroom activities and other resources.

10 Things About Childhood Trauma Every Teacher Needs to Know: “Detroit-based clinical director of the National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children, a program of the Starr Global Learning Network, Caelan Kuban Soma offers these tips for understanding kids who have been through trauma, plus strategies for helping them”…Read the tip
Staying Safe While Staying Connected Tips for Caregivers: Check out this two-page resource from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network for caregivers on talking to young people about sexting.
A Survival Guide to Teens' Digital Lingo: “From 'TMRW' and 'WYCM' to 'vamping' and 'vlogging,' the current digital lingo resembles that of an encrypted secret language -- a secret code only known to those still waiting for their driver's licenses…Our Digital Glossary gives parents and teachers a window into the world of kids' digital lingo”…Read more…Read related article: Got FOMO? Practical Tips for Easing Kids' Social Media Anxiety
Video: Know the Warning Signs of Abuse: Mary Kay has released a new video on the warning signs of dating violence, asking people to pay attention and step in to help.

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Lantern Lit on 3/18/16-3/25/16 for Patricia Sturm

3/18/2016

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Lantern Project: Since October 2013, Hope House has joined with other domestic violence programs around the state by implementing the Lantern Project. For our part in this statewide project, we added to the lamppost in front of Hope House a purple wreath. We will turn on the light for a week every time there is a death related to domestic violence in Wisconsin. We will post information online about the person(s) that was killed. If you drive by our building and see our lamppost on, please reflect on the deadly impact that domestic violence has on our communities. We know the list of stories we post here is incomplete. We strive to learn about and share these stories but know that there are some that we and the media miss. If you see a news story of a death in WI related to domestic violence and don't see it posted here, please feel free to let us know about it here. Thank you.

Patty Sturm

Obituary: "Patricia 'Patty' Hope Sturm, age 62, died unexpectedly at her home on Sunday, February 28, 2016. She was born October 3, 1953 in Merrill to the late Lawrence and Martha Hope (Ward) Euler. Patty and Mark Sturm were united in marriage on October 13, 1973 in Wausau. Patty attended Wausau High School, now known as Wausau East. Patty and her family operated the family dairy farm until 2001. Patty then worked at the United States Department of Agriculture in the FSA department. Among many things, she enjoyed sewing, gardening, baking, camping and watching NASCAR racing. Patty was a warm, welcoming person who was always there for everyone. She was a great example for her children and grandchildren. Patty was a loving mother and grandmother whose grandchildren were very near and dear to her heart. She was very involved with her grandchildren and their many activities. She was a well-liked, outgoing and personable woman. Patty was a teddy bear collector and a big John Deere fan. She enjoyed family gatherings and always organized holiday get-togethers, preparing wonderful meals for all to enjoy. Patty was a great cook who enjoyed trying out new recipes. Patty was very active with Grace Lutheran Church and expressed her strong faith by teaching Sunday school, singing in the choir and helping organize the annual Christmas program"...Read more

News Story: "A 62-year-old town of Berlin man suspected of homicide in connection with his wife's death told an emergency dispatcher during a 911 call that his wife had a history of seizures and died, but did not mention the gunshot wound to her head.

Mark Sturm was arrested Feb. 28 on a probation hold after Marathon County deputies found his wife, 62-year-old Patricia Sturm, dead with a gunshot wound to the left side of her head. Mark Sturm called 911 at 1:25 p.m. that day and reported his wife had been suffering from seizures and had died at their home...He will make an initial court appearance Wednesday on an anticipated charge of first-degree intentional homicide.

Police already have interviewed with family, friends, coworkers and others involved in the case, Bean said, and they continue to analyze evidence and talk to people who knew those directly involved in the case. Police have no other suspects in the case and the public was never in any danger, Bean said.

The only person at the Marathon County home at the time of the shooting besides the victim was Mark Sturm, according to court documents"...Read more

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Lantern Lit on 3/9/2016-3/16/2016 for Jessica Joyner

3/9/2016

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Obituary: "Jessica L. Joyner, 29, of La Crosse, passed away Monday, March 7, 2016 at the Gundersen Health System. The Dickinson Family Funeral Home and Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements."

News Story: "A La Crosse man stabbed his wife in front of five children late Sunday at the couple’s South Side apartment before they huddled around her as she was dying, according to court records.

Prosecutors Monday charged Haron Joyner, 35, with first-degree intentional homicide in the death of Jessica Joyner, 29. He’s jailed on a $100,000 cash bond.

Apartment tenant Lynn Hollowitch said a loud thud shook the units of 1314-1320 S. Fifth Ave., a multiplex bounded by Adams and Hood streets, during an escalating argument between the couple.

'Mommy!' Hollowitch heard, then 'Stop!'

Hollowitch called 911 at 11:16 p.m. before Haron Joyner said something to the effect of, 'I already said not to play with me,' Hollowitch said"...Read more

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March 2016 Community Education E-bulletin

3/8/2016

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. Thrivent Choice Dollars
2. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
3. Empower Baraboo Events
4. February was Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
5. Hope House Donation Needs
6. Sexual Assault

7. Domestic Violence
8. Miscellaneous News
9. Local News
10. Parents' and Youth Service Providers' Section
11. Faith Communities' Section
12. Training Opportunities
13. Resources

Thrivent Choice Dollars
Are you a Thrivent Financial member? Hope House of South Central Wisconsin is now enrolled as a potential Thrivent Choice Dollars recipient. By directing Choice Dollars, eligible Thrivent members recommend where they feel Thrivent should distribute a portion of its charitable grant funds. Directing Choice Dollars is easy. Simply go to Thrivent.com/thriventchoice to learn more and find program terms and conditions. Or call 800-847-4836 and say “Thrivent Choice” after the prompt.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Hope House staff is gearing up for Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and we already have a few events planned to share with you. As things are confirmed, we will add more projects and events to our website.

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training on April 2 in Baraboo: Hope House is partnering with the Boys & Girls Club in Baraboo to offer a free training on child sexual abuse prevention. Using an evidence-informed approach, Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children training (www.d2l.org) provides simple and practical actions you can take to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. Join Robin Bariel, Prevention Project Coordinator at Hope House, as we begin Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month with this compassionate, engaging approach to child sexual abuse prevention. Training is offered at no cost to the community and will be at the Boys & Girls Club in Baraboo (124 2nd St, second floor) from 9:30 am-noon on April 2nd. Childcare is available by RSVPing to 608-356-9123 or preventioncoord@hopehousescw.org.

Denim Day on April 27: Denim Day is in honor of a young woman who was raped by her driving instructor. He was convicted, but he appealed and the judge overturned the conviction. The judge decided that "...because the victim wore very, very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them, and by removing the jeans it was no longer rape, but consensual sex." Denim Day was created as a message in protest of victim-blaming. We need to start by believing survivors and not blame them for the sexual assault that someone else committed against them. Consider participating in Denim Day by asking your employer to allow employees to wear jeans on April 27 in exchange for making a donation to Hope House.

Screening and Discussion of Miss Representation on April 28 in Baraboo: Save the date for a screening and discussion of the film Miss Representation on April 28 from 6:30-8:30 pm at the R.G. Brown Theatre on the UW-Baraboo/Sauk County campus.

Empower Baraboo Film Screening on March 18 and Student-led Training in April

As part of Hope House's Rape Prevention Education sub-grant, the Empower Baraboo Advisory Committee would like to invite you to a screening of the film Straightlaced on Friday, March 18. Join us at 3:30 pm at Jack Young Middle School as we learn how gender roles are impacting today’s teens. The screening is free; snacks will be provided.
To learn more about the film, please click here. Hope to see you there!

Libby Pierce and Bethany Deyo, Empower Baraboo Advisors, provided an hour-long training on homophobic and gender-based harassment on March 3. Empower Baraboo Advisors are teens who serve on the advisory committee for the Rape Prevention Education sub-grant. We are very proud of these teen leaders for shaping safer communities! Thank you to everyone who attended and to Jack Young Middle School for the use of their auditorium. The Empower Baraboo Advisors will be hosting another training for Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention – save the date, April 20th, location TBA.

February was Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

Thanks to everyone that helped spread awareness and prevention of teen dating violence in February. We're excited to see more schools and groups get involved each year. Please see the photos above for more information on the activities at River Valley Middle School, Ho-Chunk's promotion of Wear Orange Day, Hope House's display at the West Square Building in Baraboo, and UW-Baraboo/Sauk County's V-Day. Other activities not pictured include Empower Baraboo's t-shirt design competition, Wear Orange Day at Baraboo High School, and Necedah High School's resource table with information and a spin wheel game on healthy relationships. Looking forward to next year!

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: 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: Diapers (especially sizes 4-6) and pull-ups, DVD or BluRay plaer, Vacuum, New white full/twin bed sheets, Double stroller, Baby wipes, Band-Aids, Pocket-sized calendars, Baby bottles, Umbrellas, Hangers, Weather radio, Journals, Exercise balls, Yoga/exercise DVDs, Relaxation CDs, Baby thermometer, CD players, Regular light bulbs

News and Research
Sexual Assault

After His Former Coach Is Suspended For Sexual Assault, Baseball Player Speaks Up About Abuse: “Smith wasn’t sexually abused by Bleiwas, but certainly recalls an environment filled with mistreatment that was actively encouraged by the coach…Smith is encouraging anyone — current or former baseball players, coaches, athletes from other sports, family members, fans — to send him a video message offering support for any players who want to speak up about abuse or mental health struggles they’ve experienced. He thinks that putting faces to this problem can help change the conversation and culture for good. ‘There is a huge problem with the culture in which we’re raising our sons,’ Smith said. ‘Why are we teaching them to suppress emotion, why are we not letting them feel nurtured instead of forcing them to play from a place of fear?’”…Read more
2 L.A. Cops Charged with Repeatedly Raping, ‘Preying on’ Vulnerable Women: “The two officers now face a combined 32 charges. If convicted, they could each face life in prison…But Chang also said the charges were 'years overdue.' According to the complaint, the offenses date back to at least 2008. They were reported by multiple women, but the rapes allegedly continued unchecked as an internal investigation floundered for years”…Read more
Meet the 24-Year-Old who could Change How the US Handles Sexual Assaults: “In what they hope will become a bipartisan bright spot, Democrats in the Senate on Tuesday introduced a sweeping new bill to guarantee and standardize certain rights for people who have experienced sexual assault…And the bill has a unique driving force behind it: Amanda Nguyen, a 24-year-old State Department liaison to the White House in training to be an astronaut who helped craft the bill. Nguyen became an activist because of her own enormous struggles with a difficult legal system that nearly destroyed her rape kit”…Read more
Judge: Ex-Milwaukee Cop Convicted of Rape May Question Victim: “Former Milwaukee police officer Ladmarald Cates, who is serving 24 years in prison for raping a woman after he responded to her 911 call in July 2010, will be allowed to personally cross-examine the victim during the trial in her civil suit, a federal judge has ruled…The unusual set of circumstances arises because Cates is serving as his own attorney in the civil case”…Read more
Educators Do Little Time for Sex Crimes: “Wisconsin educators convicted of inappropriate relationships or abuse of students often plead down from more serious charges and rarely serve more than a year in prison, a USA TODAY NETWORK investigation has found. Three recent cases near Fond du Lac, Green Bay and Milwaukee illustrate how plea deals lead to lesser penalties. Several more cases of teacher misconduct involving sexual allegations over the last decade show a similar trend, based on a database of all Wisconsin teachers whose licenses were revoked”…Read more
Bill Cosby Might Have Changed the Way Police Investigate Rape: “Since the entertainer's highly public downfall, people in America's biggest cities began reporting more rapes, especially rapes from the past…What Bratton dubbed the Cosby Effect has little to do with Cosby and more to do with the country's evolving understanding of rape. Over the past five years, Tracy said, the growing pressure to take victims seriously — rather than blame them or question their motives — has altered the way law enforcement handles rape investigations. Officers, for instance, are more receptive to delayed reports nowadays”…Read more...Read related article: Judge Allows Bill Cosby Sexual Assault Case to Go Forward
Cosby Hearing Affirms the Need for Change: “PCAR and the NSVRC encourages communities to prioritize safety by recognizing these behaviors: Delayed reporting is normal…Inconsistencies in statements are common after traumatic events…All victims of sexual assault are entitled to use either or both the criminal and civil justice systems to seek justice”…Read more

The Moments that Made Oscars Night a Milestone for Sexual Abuse Survivors: “The stories of sexual assault survivors took center stage in multiple ways on Oscars Sunday. In addition to being the subject of 'The Hunting Ground' and the Gaga-Warren track, it is also examined in 'Room,' which won Brie Larson the lead actress Oscar, and 'Spotlight,' which took home the night's biggest award for best picture”…Read more
For Clergy Sex Abuse Survivors, ‘Spotlight’ Oscar Win Brings Joy and Tears: “Garabedian, his voice still hoarse from cheering while watching the Academy Awards, said he still has 500 cases of clergy sex abuse in which he has either filed a lawsuit or sought claims on behalf of his clients. Because of ‘Spotlight,’ Garabedian said, he has been contacted by survivors from ‘Cambodia, Turkey, Australia, many, many countries.’ His hope, he said, is that the attention provided by the movie, which documents the Boston Globe’s investigation starting in 2001 into the abuse and the coverup by church officials, will empower other survivors to come forward”…Read more
Confused Why Women Don’t Report Sexual Assault? Ask Kesha.: “The truth is that there are few incentives to coming forward with an allegation of sexual assault. It means having to recount a trauma over and over again, to people who may not even believe that what you say happened actually happened. It means facing the judgments of those closest to you, and in Kesha's case, the judgments of the public who determine the success of her career. It means being picked apart, as people try to find just how ‘perfect’ a victim you are. It may mean dealing with law enforcement officials and members of a jury who have been socialized to believe myths about rape”…Read more…Read related article: How We Failed to Protect Kesha
This Book Gives Native Girls The Tools To Seek Help After Getting Raped: “American Indians are 2.5 times more likely to experience sexual assault than any other race in the U.S., according to the Department of Justice. The title of the book was chosen accordingly: ‘It's not 'What To Do If You’re Raped,' it’s 'When,'’ Asetoyer said. ‘A young mother was in my office the other day, and she said, 'Charon, what do I tell my daughter when she’s raped?' That feeling is just overwhelming, but it’s true’”…Read more
This Is Why Every College Is Talking About Bystander Intervention: “That's the appeal of bystander intervention programs like Green Dot, experts say. Rather than treating everyone as a potential rapist or rape victim, students are treated like allies who are empowered to step in. And according to research, it's working: For example, John Foubert, who received a grant from the Department of Education to study the impact of bystander intervention, found in 2007 that fraternity men who were trained in bystander intervention were 40 percent less likely to commit sexual violence”…Read more
Male Survivors Of Sexual Assault Speak Out: “Not only are men denied the language to speak of their assaults, their experiences of sexual abuse and violence are erased on a widespread scale. Take, for example, a 12-year-old boy who is molested by a female teacher. Rape culture dictates he should be happy, he scored a woman, an older-but-not-too-old woman—a very valuable commodity—and if he’s not happy, it must be his fault…In fact, male sexual assault, Santino explains, ‘almost never comes up unless someone is making a joke about prison. It’s no wonder so many sexual assaults go unreported.’ And indeed, our broken prison system allows for widespread rape of prisoners…Prison rape, simply, is accepted as an additional punishment for arrest—no matter the crime”…Read more

Domestic Violence

This Is Not a Love Story: America’s Deadly Domestic Violence Problem: “On just the first day of the year, at least eight women in different parts of the country were killed. In each instance, the suspect was a husband, boyfriend, ex or lover. And the bloodletting didn't let up in the month that followed. Every day, somewhere in the U.S., at least one woman was allegedly killed by an intimate partner. Some days four or five women died. All told, at least 112 people were killed last month in suspected intimate partner homicides, a staggering death toll that includes children and bystanders”…Read more
It’s Time We Listen When Women Say Their Boyfriends Are Dangerous: “Cedric Ford was at work at an Excel plant in Hesston, Kansas, on Thursday afternoon when he was handed a piece of paper: The Harvey County Sheriff’s office had served him with a restraining order. Ninety minutes later, authorities say Ford opened fire, killing three people and injuring 14 others. Ford’s ex-girlfriend had filed the protection from abuse order, which stemmed from an alleged domestic violence incident earlier this month…The man who went on a shooting rampage at a Colorado Planned Parenthood in November had allegedly assaulted multiple wives. The man who opened fire in a Louisiana movie theater during a viewing of 'Trainwreck' in July had a history of domestic violence. And according to an analysis of five years of gun safety data, we know that most mass shootings in this country involve domestic violence”…Read more
5 Things To Know About Domestic Violence & Abuse In LGBTQ Relationships: “This invisibility hurts the LGBTQ community because as a society, it means that less and less people are aware they experience this abuse, and therein, first responders and specialists, on a whole, may be less equipped to handle these situations appropriately when survivors come forward…In communities where LGBTQ rights are minimal and homophobia runs rampant, it can be or feel like a huge risk to out your sexual orientation or gender identity, even if it's in an attempt to protect yourself from harm. Even when domestic violence is reported, a lack of collaboration between respondents and LGBTQ organizations can make things difficult”…Read more

Peninsula Teen Uses Financial Prowess To Help Victims Of Domestic Violence: “Jaeger decided to raise money for CORA, eventually $85,000, the put it into an investment fund, one that he would manage and hopefully turn it into even more money. Jaeger has already be recognized for his unique approach, winning the Breakthrough Inspiration Award…Jaeger plans to manage his fund until he graduates high school, then donate the entirety of it CORA”…Read more
10th Annual Census of Shelters Shows the Need for Domestic Violence Services is Growing: “More than 1,700 – or 93 percent – of identified local domestic violence programs in the United States and territories participated in the Domestic Violence Counts Census this year. On Census Day alone, these local programs provided help and safety to 71,828 adults and children who were victims of domestic violence. These survivors were given a safe place to stay and access to the resources or services necessary to escape violence and abuse. In addition to providing direct services, these programs answered more than 21,000 hotline calls and educated more than 27,000 individuals on domestic violence, all on the survey day…Sadly, 12,197 times during the same 24-hour period, a hotline phone rang or a victim knocked at the door to request a shelter bed, an attorney, children's counseling, or another vital service, and the local program was forced to say no because they did not have the resources”…Read more

Miscellaneous News

'Safe at Home' Bill to Conceal Victims' Addresses: “‘Will allow survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking, stalking to apply with the Department of Justice for what is essentially a P.O. Box,’ said Tony Gibart, of End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin. Eliminating their address from public record and creating more of barrier from the abusers and the abused. ‘Being able to relocate, have their address confidential, will increase their sense of control over their safety in a very practical way’”…Read more
NFL Bans Prospects With Domestic Violence, Sex Assault Convictions From Scouting Showcase: “The NFL informed teams of a policy change in a memo late last month that will no longer allow prospects with convictions for domestic violence, sexual assault or weapons offenses to attend the NFL Scouting Combine – the invitation-only annual showcase event where college prospects hope to impress NFL scouts prior to that year’s upcoming NFL Draft”…Read more
6 Harmful Effects Of Toxic Masculinity: “By dictating that men must be strong, have no feelings, and dominate women, Western ideals of masculinity lead men to miss out on aspects of life that should be available to all people, regardless of gender — things like emotional connection and nurturing. And at its worst, toxic masculinity can encourage violence…When we talk about the harmful effects of toxic masculinity, we are not criticizing men, but are calling out the unfair standards imposed upon them”…Read more

7 Racial Justice Activists Talk about the Evolution of Black History Month: “We asked seven black activists how they’ve seen the meaning of Black History Month evolve, especially since the inception of movements like Black Lives Matter. Here’s what they had to say about what Black History Month means to them in 2016”…Read more
Awkward, Uncomfortable Conversations about Racism Worth It: “For people of color who may be offended or angered by another’s remarks, Sen’s advice is to ‘lower the litmus test. Expect people to be less than perfect. People are going to say the wrong things. They’re going to be imperfect. They’re not going to know a piece of history that’s critical to your family’”…Read more
11-Year-Old Reaches Goal, Collects 1000 'Black Girl Books' To Donate: “With the help of her mother, Dias set out to collect 1,000 books with Black girls as the protagonists and a plan to donate them to her school and a school in St. Mary, Jamaica, her mother's native country…She told Wilmore that it's important to be able to relate to the books you read”…Read more

Local News

Kevin Krueger, 51, of Friesland, held on $1 million cash bond on charges of first-degree intentional homicide of his estranged wife, Tracy Hill Krueger, in Portage…Read more...View Hope House’s letter to the editor on this recent domestic violence homicide in Portage
$400K grant to help combat sexual assaults: “Sauk County prosecutors, law enforcement and victim advocates will team up to ensure best practices are used in sexual assault investigations. That’s thanks to a $400,000 grant that Sauk County received from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women. ‘If there’s not a team approach, the chances of going all the way to prosecution (with a sexual assault case) are very slim,’ said Julie Fisher, Associate Director of the Baraboo-based Hope House of South Central Wisconsin”…Read more
St. Clare Hospital’s article in the Baraboo News Republic: Love shouldn’t hurt: How adults can support teens
Alex Stolte, 21, of Reedsburg, charged with two counts of felony second-degree sexual assault with the use of force…Read more
Steven Becker, 41, of Wisconsin Dells, has been charged with felony false imprisonment and misdemeanor disorderly conduct for dangling a woman over a balcony railing to threaten her…Read more
April Lynn Oldfield, of Elroy, has been sentenced to two years in state prison for failure to act/sexual assault of a child. According to a criminal complaint, Oldfield allegedly allowed Elroy resident Joshua Olson, 31, to sexually abuse two children, ages 8 and 11…Read more

Parents & Youth Service Providers' Section

ThatsNotCool.com: For Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, www.thatsnotcool.com revamped their website. They have new features, such as the CoolNotCool Quiz and a social hub for all their social media postings. Be sure to check out the Adult Allies page for new resources.
NetSmartz Tip Sheets: NetSmartz.org has a webpage full of tip sheets for teens, parents, and educators related to internet safety, including the new tip sheet You Sent a Sext. Now What? Check out all the tip sheets here.
Bullying Prevention Online Course: “HRSA is excited to announce that StopBullying.gov's Bullying Prevention Online Course is now available! Learn the latest research and best practices in bullying prevention and earn continuing education credits at your own pace. The self-directed training course features the newest research on bullying prevention, quizzes throughout to test your knowledge and the ability to earn course credits quickly and easily”…Learn more
The Great American NO BULL Challenge: “In producing their original films, participants have the freedom to be inventive in using language and format (music, script writing and video) that speak directly to their peers…The NO BULL Challenge focuses on raising awareness and inspiring positive social action on issues affecting today's youth such as: bullying, violence, drug/alcohol abuse, LGBT and more.” Video Upload Deadline is March 14. Public voting March 16-28"…Learn more
PACER’s You’re Not Alone: This campaign “gives students, adults and communities ideas how they can help so that -No student ever feels that they are all alone -Everyone has ideas on how they can provide support, kindness and hope to those that are bullied.” Click here to order their toolkit, view their gallery, and learn ways to “be there” as an adult or youth.

Promoting Protective Factors for Children and Youth: Child Welfare Information Gateway has a series for practitioners on promoting protective factors for children. The fact sheets covers children exposed to domestic violence, children and youth in foster care, for in-risk children and families, for pregnant and parenting teens, and for victims of child abuse and neglect. View them here.
Anti-Defamation League’s Current Events Lesson Plans: “The Current Events Classroom is a collection of timely and relevant brief lesson plans that assist K-12 educators in teaching news topics and other issues of the day. Each lesson helps students analyze the topic through an anti-bias, diversity and social justice lens.” View the collection here.
The NetSmartz Student Project Kit: “Want an interactive way to engage your middle and high school students on digital citizenship? The NetSmartz Student Project Kit is the answer. This tool offers students presentations, skits, lessons, and other activities they can use to teach younger students and their peers about online safety and digital citizenship”…Learn more and download the kit
Teach Consent Project: The Virginia Action Alliance’s Teach Consent project includes a video and facilitator’s guide on talking to teens age 11-16 on how to ask for consent, what enthusiastic, verbal consent looks like, and how to respond to “no” respectfully. View the resources here.

Faith Communities' Section

Responding to Abuse Later in Life: Thanks to everyone that attended the Faith Leaders for Healthy Relationships' luncheon at Trappers Turn on February 23, Responding to Abuse Later in Life. Please stay tuned for information on upcoming luncheons.
Hymn Addressing Domestic Violence: Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, an acclaimed master, has written a new hymn, God of Love, We've Heard the Teaching, to inspire congregations to address domestic violence. Gillette, a co-minister at Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, DE, has written hundreds of hymns that respond to the most urgent and meaningful contemporary events. She offers the hymn for free to faith communities, which you can access by clicking here.

Training Opportunities
Registration is still open for the following trainings:

Free Youth Mental Health First Aid Training: The Adams-Friendship School District is providing two free trainings in March on Youth Mental Health First Aid. Dinner and snacks will be provided. For more information, please see the flyer.
Summit on Healthy Teen Relationships: On April 4-6, the 2016 Summit on Healthy Teen Relationships will be held at the Kalahari Resort and Waterpark in Wisconsin Dells! The days will be packed with action and fun, bringing together a diverse group of teens and adults to talk and learn about creating healthy teen relationships and preventing teen dating abuse and sexual assault. To learn more, click here. Plan on attending? Please let Hope House know by calling 608-356-9123 or email us so we can try to connect with you at the summit!
Together for Children Conference: “Join us for the 29th Together for Children conference in Lake Geneva, WI, April 5-7, 2016. Each year, participants attend workshops to gain knowledge in prevention strategies, innovative intervention and treatment strategies, best practice and research initiatives, as well as other current topics in the areas of child abuse and neglect.” Early registration discounts expire on Monday, March 14, and room block at Grand Geneva expires on Friday, March 11.…Learn more
The Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Conference will be held on April 27th at the Holiday Inn in Stevens Point. To learn more click here.

Resources
VAWnet’s Special Collection: Intimate Partner Homicide Prevention: This special collection of resources covers the scope of the problem, safety planning and assessment tools, systems’ response and prevention opportunities, and more.

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Lantern Lit on 3/2/16-3/9/16 for Christina Hatcher

3/2/2016

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Christina Hatcher

Obituary: "Christina Ashley Hatcher, 24, of Madison, WI and formerly of Marysville passed away Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at her residence.

To say that Christina was a social butterfly would be an understatement. She truly loved her time spent with her family and friends and they truly loved her. Her playful nature and bubbly personality was sure to bring a smile to their faces, no matter how she felt at the time. She enjoyed listening to music and was not afraid to show it by dancing and singing for her daughters, even if not the most fleet of foot.

A 2009 graduate of Fairbanks High School and Tolles Technical School, she participated in Marching Band, Concert Band and Pep Band. While in Madison, she worked at Applebee’s, having just been promoted to manager.

Born May 15, 1991, she was the daughter of Brad and Angela (Blevins) Hatcher and they survive in Sun Prairie, WI. Also surviving are her pride and joy, her daughters, Aubree Lynn and Brooklyn Joye Pool"...Read more

News Story: "The young daughters of homicide victim Christina Hatcher were supposed to move into her new North Side apartment this week, according to Hatcher’s mother.

Hatcher’s daughters, 5-year-old Aubree and 3-year-old Brooklyn Pool, had been living in Sun Prairie with her parents, Angela and Brad Hatcher. Hatcher moved to Wisconsin from her native Ohio 2½ years ago — when her father got a job in the area — so that her parents could help her with the girls.

'She loved her girls,' Hatcher’s mother said.

Hatcher, 24, of Madison was found dead in her apartment at 2501 Calypso Road on Wednesday after a concerned family member asked police to check on her around 9 a.m.

Hatcher’s boyfriend, 39-year-old Jose Vasquez, is the suspect in custody, according to Hatcher’s mother.

Vasquez was under guard at UW Hospital, where he was being treated for burn wounds police said he suffered when he set Hatcher’s car on fire on Tuesday afternoon in a possible suicide attempt"...Read more

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April 2016 Community Education E-bulletin

Lantern Lit on 3/18/16-3/25/16 for Patricia Sturm

Lantern Lit on 3/9/2016-3/16/2016 for Jessica Joyner

March 2016 Community Education E-bulletin

Lantern Lit on 3/2/16-3/9/16 for Christina Hatcher

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