
Many thanks to the businesses, service agencies, schools, and churches that participated in Denim Day in April for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. By wearing jeans on Denim Day, community members illustrated their support of sexual assault survivors sending the message that survivors deserve to be believed and not blamed. Many of the participants decided to donate funds to Hope House as a part of their Denim Day campaign. This year community members raised over $3,100 to support survivors in our service area. Thank you for your support!
In April, we asked community members from all of our five counties to decorate denim blocks with messages of support for survivors, how sexual abuse has impacted their own life, or pledges to help when someone is being hurt. We received enough submissions to create a quilt for each county. Emanuel Quilters for Christ in Baraboo pieced together the quilt from Sauk County residents, the Lodi Quilt Guild pieced together the quilt from Columbia County residents, Gem City Quilters of Baraboo pieced together the quilt from Marquette County residents, and the Reedsburg Area Quilt Guild is finishing up the two quilts from Adams and Juneau County residents. Thank you to all these quilting groups!
The Sauk County quilt is currently on display in the West Square Building in Baraboo. The Lodi Quilt Guild is presenting the Columbia County quilt at the Lodi Agricultural Fair this weekend. Plans for displaying quilts are ongoing. If you have a location where you think people would benefit from seeing one of the Hope and Healing Quilts and/or have a group that would like a Hope House staff person to present to on our services and show the quilt, please call us at 608-356-9123 or email HHShelter@HopeHouseSCW.org.
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: Liquid hand soap, Full-size bottles of shampoo and body wash, 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
- Kitchen: Paper towels, Ziploc bags, Strainer/Colander, Silverware, Tupperware, Dishwasher soap, 13-Gallon garbage bags, Brush for cleaning bottles, Sip cups, Saran wrap, Aluminum foil
- Food and Beverages: Cereal, Fruit juice, Meat, Fresh fruit and vegetables, Yogurt, Cheese, Canned soup, Snack items (crackers, granola bars, etc.), Milk
- Laundry: Laundry detergent
- Clothing for Women and Kids: New socks, New women’s underwear, New medium-large size pajamas, New sweatshirts and sweatpants
- Misc: New pillows, New full-sized fitted white sheets, Diapers (especially sizes 4-6) and pull-ups, Vacuum, Double stroller, Baby wipes, Band-Aids, Pocket-sized calendars, Baby bottles, Umbrellas, Hangers, 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.
Brock Turner, Standford Sexual Assault Case
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- NFL Makes a $10 Million Promise to “End Sexual Violence in One Generation”: “To make it happen, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault/PreventConnect, and the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence have joined forces to create ‘Raliance.’ The collaborative initiative will pool the resources of all three organizations—a move that's made possible by the NFL's unprecedented multi-year commitment to the cause”…Read more
- Why Wisconsin Makes Sex-Assault Victims Wait: “While Pierce-Weeks said she would like to see more hospitals ‘stepping up’ to better support their examiners, there are also ways that federal and state dollars could contribute. Acknowledging that the state currently relies on hospitals making the costly choice to support these programs, Schimel said he thinks some responsibility should ultimately fall with the criminal justice system to make sure exams are available”…Read more
- ‘I Hated This Man More than My Rapists’: Woman Confronts Football Coach 18 Years after Alleged Gang Rape: “And when she told the players that she used to hate Riley ‘more than my rapists,’ she could feel 150 faces turn from her to the coach and back again. But she also told them that Riley didn’t have to bring her to Lincoln. ‘This is what accountability looks like,’ she told the players, according to USA Today. ‘This is what transparency looks like. This is how we get things done’”…Read more
- In Just 3 Minutes, Jamil Smith Nails How Toxic Masculinity Fuels Rape Culture: “MTV News senior national correspondent Jamil Smith breaks down the way toxic masculinity, a term that describes the damage stereotypical masculine ideals can have on both men and women, feeds rape culture, thus creating a society where sexism and sexual assault can thrive”…Watch the video
Domestic Violence
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Miscellaneous News
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- Tyler McKay, 23, of Necedah, and Gene Sheppard, 26, of Mauston, face charges of substantial battery and disorderly conduct…Read more
- Keane Singleton, 29, of Baraboo, who repeatedly stabbed his pregnant girlfriend, sending authorities on a five-day manhunt in March 2012, will serve 13 years behind bars…Read more
- Danile Greyhair, of Lyndon Station, faces one count of first degree sexual assault – sexual contcat with a child under 13…Read more
- Michael Dewey, 38, of Elroy, charged with multiple counts of child sexual assault, sentenced to 220 years in prison and 88 years on extended supervision…Read more
- David Allen Cranfield, 35, of Wisconsin Dells, faces one count of false imprisonment, misdemeanor battery domestic abuse, criminal damage to property, and disorderly conduct domestic abuse…Read more
- Dawn Hess, 45, of Mauston, is charged with burglary of a building or dwelling, criminal trespass, obstructing an officer and disorderly conduct – domestic abuse…Read more
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- Engaging Men of Faith in Domestic Violence Prevention: Join A CALL TO MEN for a FREE one-day conference on October 14 in Charlotte, NC designed to engage men of faith in domestic violence prevention. The presence and participation of women is welcomed and encouraged. Registration opens soon. Seating will be limited. For more information, contact Danielle Erwin at danielle@acalltomen.org.
- New Video for Victims of Crime: The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) has developed a new video: If You’re a Victim of Crime, Help is Available. The video recognizes that being a victim of a crime can be a devastating experience for survivors and their families, describes the help that is available for victims of crime, and identifies certain victims' rights that are guaranteed in most states.