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.

Obituary: "Thomas W. Rank, 64, of Sheboygan Falls passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at his home. Tom was born on August 3, 1952 in Manitowoc to William and Irma (Kornelly) Rank. He is a 1970 graduate of Lincoln High School. Tom married Candice Kappelman on October 21, 1972 in Two Rivers. Tom was a dedicated employee at Kohler Company for over 40 years. Tom served as the president of the Purple Martin Association, was an avid outdoor and wildlife photographer, enjoyed hunting, fishing, and going on road trips with his wife Candy. Above all, Tom cherished spending time with his family and making the most of life"...Read more

News Story: "A father and daughter have been confirmed dead in an apparent murder-suicide in the Town of Lima on Thursday. The Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office first received a 911 call from a 38-year-old woman in the Town of Lima Thursday afternoon who said she was armed, committed a domestic violence homicide and was suicidal. The woman then hung up the phone.

The Sheriff’s Office dispatched multiple resources to the home, located on the N3100 block of Leynse Road, including SWAT, negotiator and rescue personnel.

SWAT resources located the body of Thomas W. Rank, 64, who apparently died from a gunshot wound.
​
After checking the residence, the body of Sarah L. Soucheck, 38, was located.  Soucheck died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound"...Read more

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.

Dozens Gather to Remember Avery Edwards

News Story: "A 28-year-old Rhinelander woman was formally charged Tuesday with second-degree reckless homicide in connection with the death of her 20-month-old stepson. According to a press release issued by Oneida County chief deputy Dan Hess just before 1 p.m. Monday, the department received a 9-1-1 call at approximately 6:24 p.m. Friday reporting a 20-month-old boy was breathing very shallowly. Deputies and medics responded the scene and transported the child to St. Mary's Hospital. He was then flown to St. Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield where he passed away a short time later"...Read more

Obituary: "Dez’Jon, Lamont Stephan Taylor, age 15, went home to be with our Lord and Savior on Friday, April 28, 2017 at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin – Milwaukee Campus. He was born on September 16, 2001 in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Melodie Hopkins and Jonathan Taylor.  He received his formal education in the Kenosha Unified School District and was currently a student at Mary D. Bradford High School.

​Dez’Jon was a very caring, selfless, vibrant and active young man and he was always willing to help any and everybody.  He was a current member of the Kenosha Boys and Girls Club.  Dez’Jon had a great passion for playing football. He has played for the Kenosha Ramblers Youth Football Team as well as the Bradford Football Team. He also enjoyed weight lifting but nothing could compare to the time he spent with his family and friends. Dez’Jon’s contagious smile would light up any room.  He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him"...Read more

News Story: "'He was a great friend. He'll support you over anything,' said Eduardo Zavaleta, victim's friend. Taylor was fatally stabbed in the heart Tuesday morning, April 25th, at Bradford High School. Fellow classmate, 15-year-old Timothy Carson, is charged as an adult in the case. Friends say the two used to be close, but according to prosecutors, they had been fighting recently over a girl"...Read more

Welcome to the May 2017 edition of Hope House's Community Education E-bulletin!

9th Annual Journey of Hope Fundraiser April 13 at Trappers Turn, Wisconsin Dells

In addition to our wonderful event sponsors, many additional businesses and individuals donate wonderful items and gift certificates for our auctions and our popular Hope Cards! And a special thank you to Platinum Sponsor Badgerland Pyrotechnics LLC for the stunning fireworks show, and to everyone at Trappers Turn Golf Club for the wonderful evening! Thank you to all of you for supporting Hope House! All proceeds from the event go to provide supportive and safety services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. We are so grateful for all of our amazing supporters!

Thank You to All the Denim Day Participants
Thank you to the many businesses, agencies, organizations, and schools in our service area that participated in Denim Day by wearing jeans on April 26 to show their support of sexual assault survivors. Pictured below is just a sampling of the many groups that participated. 

RPE Empower Baraboo Advisory Committee Activities & Meeting
The next Empower Baraboo Advisory Committee meeting will be held on May 16 from 6:15-7:15pm in the Baraboo High School library. We welcome all Baraboo area community members who are interested in helping to create a high school environment that is respectful, inclusive, and free of sexual harassment and assault. Meetings are spent planning events that will engage students and staff throughout the high school community. Summer meeting dates TBD. Questions can be directed to Prevention Project Coordinator Nola Pastor at preventcoord@hopehousescw.org or 608-356-9123.

For Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Empower Baraboo members handed out “Ask First – Respect the Answer” wristbands from the Date Safe Project in Junior and Senior homerooms and helped staff a booth at the Baraboo High School Track Relays. They will also be handing out Hershey’s Kisses and information about consent at prom on Saturday.

Support & Wellness Group in Mauston
Has abuse affected your life in some way? Do you seek connections with supportive individuals who have similar life experiences as you? If so, please consider attending Hope House’s support group at Hatch Public Library in Mauston from 11am-noon on Tuesdays May 9, 23, and June 13. All are welcome! To learn more, call Hope House at 608-356-7500 or 1-800-584-6790.

50/50 Day on May 10
“On May 10th, join thousands of organizations, companies, schools, museums, libraries and homes — anywhere people already gather — in a global conversation about what it will take to get to a more gender-balanced world in all sectors of society: business, politics, culture, home, and more…Screen the 20 minute film ‘50/50: Rethinking the Past, Present, and Future of Women + Power’”…Read 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 the following:

• Kitchen:  Pots and Pans, Silverware, Non Perishable Food Items, and Fresh Produce
• Cleaning supplies: Lysol Spray and Wipes, All Purpose Cleaner, Magic Eraser, and Toilet Bowl Cleaner
• School Supplies: Notebooks, Colored Pencils, Pens, and Backpacks                                         
• Miscellaneous:  Toilet Paper, First Aid Kits, Zippered Mattress Protector, Copy Paper, Journals, Pocket Calendars, Towels, and Wash Cloths

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.

Sexual Assault

• 'Passing the Trash': 2 Women Say the Teachers who Sexually Abused Them were Allowed to Continue Teaching: “In a special edition of ABC News ‘Nightline,’ Chelsea and another survivor of alleged abuse by educators, Nallely Hernandez, are stepping out of the shadows to tell their stories publicly for the first time. Both women are now in the midst of civil suits associated with a practice known as ‘passing the trash.’ ‘Passing the trash’ occurs when a teacher accused of sexual misconduct is allowed to leave a school – through a confidentiality, separation agreement or other means - and quietly seek employment at another school without the new employer being alerted to the allegations, according to S.E.S.A.M.E. (Stop Educator Abuse Misconduct and Exploitation), an organization dedicated to the prevention of sexual abuse by school employees”…Read more
• New IU Policy Bans Athletes with History of Sexual or Domestic Violence: “The policy bans ‘any prospective student-athlete — whether a transfer student, incoming freshman or other status — who has been convicted of or pleaded guilty or no contest to a felony involving sexual violence.’ It further defines ‘sexual violence’ as ‘dating violence, domestic violence, rape, sexual assault or sexual violence as defined by the Indiana University policy on sexual misconduct’”…Read more

Children & Youth

• Meet The Teen Sexual Assault Survivors Who Took On Their School District And Won: “Motivated by the response, Bella decided to do more. She and her friend Nicole took the lead designing and ordering 130 ‘Got Consent?’ shirts and 200 wristbands, a project financed through a combination of students chipping in $10, money from Bella’s family, and help from SART, the local rape crisis center. In the fall, several students marched with Bella in the homecoming parade with signs reading ‘‘No’ Doesn’t Mean ‘Keep Trying.’’ Bella, Nicole and others have passed out information about Title IX at school, which they got from the website for Know Your IX...In the fall 2016 semester, the Survivors Circle started coming together”…Read more

Local News

• Read Hope House's letters to the editor for Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April on supporting sexual assault survivors and on sexual assault prevention
• Read the Dells Events newspaper article on teen dating violence and Hope House’s role in addressing it
• Sauk County sees rise in addiction related child abuse, neglect: Check out this article which covered Hope House’s Child Abuse Prevention Month pinwheel display
• Gregory P. Wolfenbarger, 40, of New Lisbon, faces a strangulation and suffocation charge after an alleged domestic abuse incident…Read more
• Sean G. Moore, 51, of Baraboo, has been charged with repeated child sexual assault charges, child enticement, incest and causing a child under 13 years old to view/listen to sexual activity…Read more
• Adam T. Walsh, 32, of Portage, has had charges refilled against him for repeated sexual assault of a child, incest, causing a child to view or listen to sexual activity, and causing mental harm to a child…Read more​
• Philip K. Schroeder, 40, of Necedah, charged with physical child abuse of a 7-year-old…Read more
• Troy L. Crain, 34, of Lyndon Station, faces three domestic abuse charges, including strangulation and suffocation…Read more
• ​Laython W. Fowler, 20, of Mauston, faces five charges, including three domestic abuse counts…Read more
• Jeremy Wilson, 19, of Portage, has been sentenced to two years of probation with sex offender treatment after entering a guilty plea to a charge of defiling a co-worker’s drink…Read more
• ​David A. Schultz, 41, of New Lisbon, was charged with one count of child abuse, intentionally cause bodily harm, and disorderly conduct…Read more

Parents' & Youth Service Providers' Section

Resources

• OVC’s Vicarious Trauma Toolkit: "The Vicarious Trauma Toolkit (VTT) was developed on the premise that exposure to the traumatic experiences of other people—known as vicarious trauma—is an inevitable occupational challenge for the fields of victim services, emergency medical services, fire services, law enforcement, and other allied professionals; however, organizations can mitigate the potentially negative effects of trauma exposure by becoming vicarious trauma-informed. The VTT includes tools and resources tailored specifically to these fields that provide the knowledge and skills necessary for organizations to address the vicarious trauma needs of their staff”…Learn more
• Domestic Abuse Guidebook for Wisconsin Guardians ad Litem: "End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Governor's Council on Domestic Abuse have released the Domestic Abuse Guidebook for Wisconsin Guardians ad Litem: Addressing Custody, Placement, and Safety Issues. The Guidebook is a comprehensive, step-by-step manual for approaching the consequential issue of domestic abuse in child custody and placement actions."