Category: Bullying

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.

0 Comments

November 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

11/3/2015

0 Comments

Welcome to the November 2015 edition of Hope House's Community Education E-bulletin!

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. Hope House Receives New Grant
2. October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month
3. Donation Needs
4. Domestic Violence
5. Sexual Assault
6. Children and Youth

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

Hope House Receives Grant and Invites You to Join the Advisory Committee
Hope House is excited to announce that we were one of two organizations in the state awarded the Rape Prevention Education sub-grant through the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault. With this funding, we created a new position, the Prevention Project Coordinator and hired Robin Bariel this October. She will work closely with Baraboo High School to help plan and implement classroom and extracurricular education that gives students the skills to build healthy relationships. She will coordinate school staff training, facilitate parent and community education, foster a coalition, and influence policy and organizational practices.

To ensure success of the project, the grant requires input from school staff, parents, students, and other community members. Hope House would like to invite you to actively participate on an advisory committee to provide feedback and guidance on how we can best work towards eliminating risk factors for sexual violence at Baraboo High School. The first meeting will be Monday, November 9 from 6 - 7:30 pm at East Elementary School in Baraboo. If interested in attending or wanting to learn more, please contact Robin at 608-356-9123 or email her here.

October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)
Wow, what a month! Staff, volunteers, and community members were quite busy raising awareness of domestic violence in our service area. We released our I Am a Survivor video, held a luncheon on the impact of domestic violence on children, raised awareness at three local high school football games, put up community displays, staffed awareness booths at Juneau County Women's Night Out and the Sharing Suppers in Portage, Endeavor and Mauston, participated in Ho-Chunk's DVAM walk at the House of Wellness, and more. Local businesses, such as Fantastic Sams in Baraboo and Health Source Chiropractic in Baraboo, held promotions benefiting Hope House, and Culver's in Lake Delton had a donation jar with awareness cards. WRPQ in Baraboo ran DVAM PSAs and local law enforcement had NO MORE magnets on their squad cars. Thank you to everyone who helped raise awareness this October!

Here are some resources you may be interested in that came out this year for DVAM:

Private Violence Presents: Why We Stayed: “The question 'why doesn’t she just leave' dominates and derails the way we talk about and approach domestic violence. Writer and survivor Beverly Gooden confronted this question head on and ignited a movement with her #WhyIStayed hashtag. Find out more about her story and hear from other survivors in our new short #WhyWeStayed”…Watch the 7-minute clip here

7 Ways to End Domestic Violence for #DVAM2015: “We’re nearing the end of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late to get involved! Domestic violence is an issue that affects communities everywhere all year round. There are always opportunities to raise awareness and support survivors. In honor of all survivors, here are 7 ways YOU can #SeeDV and #TakeAStand against domestic violence”…Read more

Director Hannelore Williams Discusses LoveStruck Documentary Webseries: “This week, we sat down with filmmaker Hannelore Williams, director of the forthcoming three part documentary webseries, LoveStruck. In LoveStruck, Williams interviews both survivors and perpetrators of domestic violence, honestly exploring the personal toll of the nationwide epidemic”…Read more

31 of the Most Power Domestic Violence Moments in the Last Year: “This October, for National Domestic Violence Awareness Month let’s look back at the many newsworthy and heart-wrenching domestic violence moments from this past year that informed, enraged, and inspired us all to bring greater awareness to this issue”…Read more

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, Tupperware, Small mason jars, Dishwasher soap, 13-Gallon garbage bags, Silverware, 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: Pack 'n Play, Vacuum, New white full/twin bed sheets, Double stroller, Baby wipes, Band-Aids, Diapers and pull-ups, Pocket-sized calendars, Strollers, Baby bottles, Umbrellas, Hangers, Weather radio, Journals, Exercise balls, Yoga/exercise DVDs, Relaxation CDs, Baby thermometer, CD players, Regular light bulbs

News & Research
Domestic Violence

Fire Company Uses Purple Truck to Focus on Domestic Violence: “A central Pennsylvania volunteer fire company is using a purple fire truck to raise awareness of domestic violence. The Newburg Fire Company in Logan Township uses the truck in parades and other public events, but it's no longer used to fight fires”…Read more
Purple Goes With Your Pink Ribbon: Domestic Violence Is a Women's Health Issue: “The negative effects of abuse reach far beyond visible injuries. Verbal and emotional abuse affect the psychological and physical health of victims; economic abuse forces dependence on the abuser, limiting access to money and outside support. Reproductive coercion restricts women’s reproductive health choices. Rape and sexual abuse deprive victims of their right to sexual agency. These forms of abuse, which leave no mark and are easily disguised by the abusers, can nonetheless be as difficult to escape as physical violence and, moreover, have a statistically significant effect on women’s health”…Read more
NFL’s Problem Isn’t Too Many Abusers; It’s Too Few Terry Bradshaws Speaking Out: “Bradshaw gets what so many around the league don’t: that the NFL doesn’t have a woman problem, it has a man problem, and it’s going to take famous men shunning other men to change it…That’s why what Bradshaw did on ‘Fox NFL Sunday’ was so important: In a searing rant, the Hall of Famer tore into Hardy for his apparent lack of remorse for assaulting a woman, and also laid into owner Jones as an ‘enabler’”…Read more
Florida Judge Jails Domestic Abuse Victim for Not Testifying: “The judge asked the woman to explain herself during a contempt of court hearing on July 30 for failing to appear to testify against Brennan the week before. The woman apologized, saying she had been ‘dealing with depression’ and anxiety since the abuse incident. But the judge responds, ‘You think you have anxiety now? You haven't seen anxiety.’ The woman said she took a domestic abuse class and had asked that the charges be dropped. ‘I'm trying to move on with my life,’ she said. ‘I'm homeless now. I'm living with my parents. I'm just not in a good place right now.’ After a bit of back and forth, Collins found the woman in contempt of court and sentenced her to three days in county jail. ‘I have a 1-year-old son and I'm trying to care of him by myself,’ the victim said, sobbing. ‘I'm begging you, please, please don't’”…Read more
CHVRCHES Lead Singer Lauren Mayberry Opens Up about Abusive Relationships, and How She Got Out: “I would have been the first person to tell a friend she needed to end that relationship if the roles had been reversed, but I always made excuses and didn't view what was happening to me as 'abuse' because he had never physically hurt me — only those few times where it seemed like he was hinting at it but then took it back”…Read more

NNEDV Appalled by NFL Decision to Fine Player for Raising Awareness about Domestic Violence: “‘While we understand the need for standard player uniforms, a nearly $6,000 fine seems excessive,’ said Kim Gandy, NNEDV President & CEO. ‘This amount could help a local program put up nearly 30 victims in a hotel if their shelter was full. It could serve as the down payment on a new, safe apartment for a dozen survivors. It is unconscionable that the NFL would choose to further line its pockets when all William Gay did was wear purple shoes to honor his mother, who was tragically killed by Gay’s stepfather’”…Read more
After Ray Rice, The NFL Pledged Millions To Fight Domestic Violence. Here’s How The Money Was Spent: “One year later, ThinkProgress checked up on these initiatives, and confirmed that the NFL has indeed devoted millions of dollars and a significant amount of time to trying to figure out how to address domestic violence, both within the league and among the public. But while that money and time is being put to good use on a national scale, the local domestic violence and sexual assault centers that provide direct service work — the ones that the national groups rely on for the on-the-ground assistance — are still struggling to stay afloat. And while the NFL is trying to address its internal issues through training and regulations, changing the culture of the league is far easier said than done, particularly with the same leadership intact”…Read more
Woman Says She Was Fired For Getting Beat Up By Her Boyfriend. She’s Not Alone: “While the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) gives any employee at a company with 50 or more employees the right to take unpaid leave for a medical issue, which victims can use to recover from injuries, they often need to take leave for a much wider number of issues: going to court appearances, meeting with lawyers or the police, getting counseling, switching locks or even moving locations to stay safe. None of that is covered by the FMLA, and only 15 states require leave for victims to take care of those needs”…Read more
Rihanna Wants You to Stop Reminding Her about Chris Brown’s Domestic Abuse Against Her: “Speaking to Vanity Fair magazine, Rihanna explained that she felt that victims of abuse are being continually punished every time the subject is brought up. ‘I just never understood that, like how the victim gets punished over and over,’ Ri said. ‘It’s in the past, and I don’t want to say ‘Get over it,’ because it’s a very serious thing that is still relevant; it’s still real. A lot of women, a lot of young girls, are still going through it. A lot of young boys too”…Read more
Hope Solo Again Will Face Charges after Reversal of Earlier Court Decision: “Hope Solo, the star goalie who led the U.S. soccer team to the Women's World Cup title in July, will again face domestic violence charges after a Washington state appeals court on Friday reversed a lower court's decision to dismiss a case in which she was alleged to have beaten up her nephew and half-sister”…Read more

Sexual Assault

Wisconsin Department of Justice Awarded Grant Funding to Eliminate Untested Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Kits: “‘This money will go a long way to bring justice to survivors of sexual assault,’ said Schimel. ‘We owe it to those who had the courage to report a sexual assault and underwent a sexual assault forensic exam, to now test their kits, investigate their cases, and hold their perpetrators accountable. With these grants we will save others from becoming victims and we will make our communities safer’”…Read the news release here
Fans Unite Through #RaiseTheBanner, #NotMyNHL to Raise Awareness of Sexual Assault: “The Blackhawks raised the championship banner, as they are allowed to do, but the occasion felt hollow to many in the wake of the Patrick Kane rape allegations. The feeling of hollowness transitioned to one of rage and disgust as Kane proceeded to participate in the hooking the banner to the scaffolding to raise it to the rafters…Fans exercised their right to protest the ceremony by using the hashtag created by the Blackhawks, #RaiseTheBanner, and adding an hashtag #NotMyNHL, to discuss the topic of sexual assault”…Read more
Inside the White House's New Movement to Prevent Sexual Assault on College Campuses: “In order to aid parents and incoming freshman when it comes to gathering that information, ‘It’s on Us’ suggests asking every school being considered the following questions”…Read more
More Than 150 People Arrested in Nationwide Sex Trafficking Sting: “The youngest victim was 12 years old. The effort, which is now in its ninth year, was spearheaded by the FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, along with local law enforcement”…Read more
Sheriff to Staff: Stop Arresting Children on Prostitution Charges, Stop Saying 'Child Prostitute': “‘They are child victims and survivors of rape,’ McDonnell wrote in a letter to his employees. ‘We must remember that children cannot consent to sex under any circumstance’…Wednesday’s news conference came a day after the L.A. County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a motion declaring ‘that there is no such thing as a 'child prostitute.' McDonnell said that he has instructed his employees to stop using the terms ‘child prostitute’ and ‘underage prostitution.’ Using those terms, McDonnell said, strips responsibility from the traffickers and the people who pay to have sex with children. ‘Buyers,’ he said, ‘should be viewed as child molesters and predators’”…Read more
Film Shines A 'Spotlight' On Boston's Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal: “In 2001, a team of reporters at the Boston Globe began investigating reports of child sexual abuse by Catholic priests. The 'Spotlight' team, as it was known, eventually revealed that the abuse had been happening for decades — and that church leaders in Boston had been aware of it and had been involved in covering it up…Now, the new film, Spotlight, chronicles the investigation that brought the scandal to light”…Read more
Owen Labrie Sentenced to One Year in Jail for Luring, Sexual Assault of a Minor: “Owen Labrie, 20, has been sentenced to one year in jail for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old classmate at the elite St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire. In a statement delivered by video in court Thursday, the victim said she still suffers from flashbacks and said the St. Paul’s community showed her a stunning lack of compassion after the assault: ‘No one understood’”…Read more
Surge in Sexual Assaults on Airplanes: “FBI Supervisory Special Agent Drew Ptasienski, who investigated the case, said victims of similar assaults have also pretended to sleep through the attacks. Ptasienski said, ‘Victims are so shocked they’re being assaulted, it takes them awhile to process it’…He said there’s a pattern to the crimes, in many cases happening on red-eye, overnight flights”…Read more

Community Raises $33K for Victim of Brutal Unsolved Bike Path Assault: “A community in need of healing has readily opened its heart and its wallet to the 33-year-old woman viciously attacked in September on a Near East Side bike path — a crime that remains unsolved with no identified suspects. In little more than a month, more than $33,000 has been raised for the Isthmus resident and UW-Madison graduate student, who is now out of the hospital but has a long, uncertain road to recovery ahead of her”…Read more
Should All Rapists Go to Prison?: “In the spring of 2014, in the State of Indiana v. David Wise, Wise was convicted of rape and five felony counts of criminal deviate conduct. Each charge carried a sentence of 20 years, and the prosecutor in the trial went after a 49-year sentence. However, the outcome of the trial was such that Wise didn't even up spending a minute in prison: Judge Kurt Eisgruber sentenced Boardman's rapist to eight years house arrest and told the Indiana mother of two to ‘figure out a way to forgive him’”…Read more
Bill Cosby Faces Criminal Charges for Alleged Sexual Assault in L.A.: “The LAPD has turned over the results of its investigation into a 2008 sexual assault allegation against Bill Cosby to the Los Angeles County District Attorney for possible criminal charges and the case is under review, a D.A. spokesperson confirmed Thursday…Goins is only one of many to speak out against Cosby and accuse the comedian of sexual assault — however, her accusations are of the most recent, with many other allegations of sexual assault occurring in the ’70s and ’80s, which are unlikely to face prosecution because of legal restrictions”…Read more…Read related article: Bill Cosby Faces New Sexual Assault Accusations As Three More Women Step Forward
Hundreds of Officers Lose Licenses Over Sex Misconduct: AP Investigation: “In a yearlong investigation of sexual misconduct by U.S. law enforcement, The Associated Press uncovered about 1,000 officers who lost their badges in a six-year period for rape, sodomy and other sexual assault; sex crimes that included possession of child pornography; or sexual misconduct such as propositioning citizens or having consensual but prohibited on-duty intercourse. The number is unquestionably an undercount because it represents only those officers whose licenses to work in law enforcement were revoked, and not all states take such action. California and New York — with several of the nation's largest law enforcement agencies — offered no records because they have no statewide system to decertify officers for misconduct. And even among states that provided records, some reported no officers removed for sexual misdeeds even though cases were identified via news stories or court records”…Read more

Children and Youth

Nebraska Eighth-Graders Turn School's Sidewalks into Display of Positive, Anti-Bullying Messages: “October is National Bullying Prevention Month. This week, eighth grade students at Scott Middle School in Lincoln wrote positive messages on the school's sidewalks to express their feelings as part of a national campaign”…Read more
Anti-bullying Laws Appear to be Working: “Looking at data from more than 60,000 high school students in public and private schools in 25 states, the study found that states that did have anti-bullying laws with at least one Department of Education recommendation saw fewer instances of bullying”…Read more

Miscellaneous

Mass Killings in the US: Masculinity, Masculinity, Masculinity: “Too many boys are learning that violence and entitlements to domination and control, including, centrally, over girls and women, define become ‘a real man.’ That's about gender, and the outcomes are grossly misogynistic, whether they use money, knives, fire, laws, or guns and whether or not their stated intent is religiously or racially motivated”…Read more
Friends Don’t Ask Their Friends for “Rush Boobs”: “I genuinely believe that virtually all fraternity men don’t want their mothers, girlfriends, sisters, and women friends to be raped. That just isn’t enough anymore. Many of these young men would proudly pin on a white ribbon pledging they are against rape or host a 5K to benefit a local rape crisis center. That just isn’t enough anymore. We have raised enough awareness, and we need real action...Moving toward culture change will require these young men to question tradition and advocate for structural change. It will require them to listen to women. It will require them to do something revolutionary for men to do: follow”…Read more
Women Share Their Experiences of Rejecting Men's Sexual Advances - and How They Reacted: “Women have been sharing stories about the abuse they have faced after rejecting sexual advances from men. The accounts have been compiled on the When Women Refuse blog. The site was launched after 22-year-old Elliot Rodger killed six people in a drive-by shooting in Santa Barbara in May 2014. In a previous YouTube video, he had complained about being rejected by women and had threatened to take revenge”…Read more
Mysterious New Emoji Keeps an Eye Out for Bullies: “Apple added the emoji to its virtual keyboards as part of the anti-bullying ‘I Am a Witness’ campaign from the Ad Council, a nonprofit that produces public service messages. The aim is for users to include ‘the Witness Emoji’ in messages when they see online or text messages that contain hurtful, bullying comments. Other major tech companies, including Google, Facebook, Snapchat and Adobe, are also getting behind the campaign, which was started in honor of National Bullying Prevention Month”…Read more

Local News

Harley Tarkenton, 28, and Robert Reick, 28, both of Portage, charged with repeated sexual assault of a woman…Read more
Gregory Heep, 28, of Wisconsin Dells, sentenced to four years in prison for possession of child pornography…Read more
Alexander Kluball, 25, of Reedsburg, transported a minor across state lines for sex trafficking…Read more
Roger Shaw Jr., 36, of Montello has been charged with first degree sexual assault of a child under 12, first degree child sexual assault, child enticement…Read more
Davian Salgado, 25, of Chicago, has been charged with sexual assault of a child under 16 years of age in Juneau County…Read more

Parents' and Youth Service Providers' Section

Kindness Matters: Transforming Your Classroom and Creating a Bully-Free School: “There's plenty of evidence that science backs up the positive effects of kindness, so let's take a look at five joyful ways that you can transform your classroom”…Read more
NetSmartz’s New Video: Split Decisions is NetSmartz’s “newest video that shows positive ways for teens to resolve online conflicts...and what happens when they don't. Watch as two girls, Lily and Gabriela, make different decisions that lead them down very different paths. One leads to common ground. The other leads to digital drama. This video is accompanied by a discussion guide and activity cards for middle and high school students.”
What Should Parents Know about Instagram?: Check out this article and video from Common Sense Media. They also have similar articles on Snapchat, Tumblr, and Vine.
PACER’s Anti-Bullying PSA: “Have you ever felt like the whispers, giggles, note passing, and looks were directed at you or someone you care about? Imagine if all that attention was channeled into positive action. Disney is supporting Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center in hopes of inspiring social change among young people everywhere”…View the 2-minute PSA

Faith Communities' Section

From Sticks to Flowers Webinar and Discussion: On November 11 from 2-4:30 pm, the Faith Leaders for Healthy Relationships committee, in conjunction with Hope House, is organizing a viewing of the webinar From Sticks to Flowers with discussion to follow at the Sauk County West Square Building in Baraboo. Many parents insist on hitting their children because they believe God requires it. This webinar explores the basis for this belief and offers concrete suggestions for assisting parents in realizing that abandoning violent forms of discipline does not require them to violate basis tenets of their faith. Group discussion facilitated by Hope House Advocate to follow. Registration is $15 and includes refreshments. Click here to see the registration brochure. Please RSVP by calling Hope House Advocate Natalie at 608-356-9123 or emailing her here. All are welcome to attend!
Five Ways Your Faith Community Can Raise Awareness for Domestic Violence: View the list from We Will Speak Out here

Giving Grace to People in Crisis – the Sequel to Stupid Phrases for People in Crisis: "When I wrote the piece 'Stupid Phrases for People in Crisis,' I had no idea the nerve that I would touch. Sadly, I think it resonated deeply with people because they have heard all the stupid things I mentioned. I was honored to read through the comments; I was saddened by what I read. It makes me believe that we need mandatory workshops in crisis care. But the question remains, what are some good things to say to people in crisis? Here are a few things that I’ve found tremendously helpful"...Read more

Training Opportunities

Free Youth Mental Health First Aid Training: On Friday, November 6 from 8 am - 5 pm will be a free Youth Mental Health First Aid training at the Adams-Friendship Area School District Building. For more information and to register, please see the flyer.
Domestic Violence in Later Life Conference: This 2nd annual conference will be held November 13 from 9 am - 3:45 pm at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. To learn more and to register, click here.

Resources

International Day of the Girl: October 11 was International Day of the Girl. Check out this powerful video where “thirteen girls from 8 countries perform this dynamic rendition of ‘Yet’ – a poem by British writer and performer Keisha Thompson – to rally girls around the struggle to overcome discrimination, claim their rights and celebrate their futures”…View the video and check out additional resources

0 Comments

October 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

10/1/2015

0 Comments

Welcome to the October 2015 edition of Hope House's Community Education E-bulletin!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)

Every October we recognize National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Hope House staff and volunteers are organizing and participating in several different events and activities this month throughout our five-county service area, which you will find listed below. We also want to share resources and what others are doing regionally and nationally. For more information, including how you get raise awareness this month and beyond, or if you are seeking additional resources and materials, please call Hope House at 608-356-9123 or send us an email.

New Hope House Video
This October we are excited to unveil our video of survivors we've worked with speaking out. We hope you will watch this 5-minute video and share it with others.

Events:

Oct. 2 DVAM Football Game at Adams-Friendship High School: Hope House staff will be passing out DVAM informational cards with purple awareness ribbons, staffing a DVAM booth with awareness materials like NO MORE magnets, putting up yard signs with awareness messages, and asking people to take a photo with a sign they fill out that says "I Say NO MORE Because..."
Oct. 6 Ho-Chunk DVAM Walk: Hope House will be participating in Ho-Chunk Nation Domestic Abuse Division's "Love Shouldn't Hurt" community awareness walk on October 6 at the House of Wellness in Baraboo. Everyone is welcome to walk at any time between 10 am and 2 pm, learn information, and have a chance to win prizes. Click here to view the flyer.
Oct. 6 Juneau County Women's Night Out: Hope House will be staffing a DVAM booth at Women's Night Out at Mauston High Scohol.
Oct. 9 DVAM Football Game at Westfield High School: Hope House staff will once again be raising awareness at Westfield High School for their game versus Wisconsin Dells. Staff will be collecting donations, passing out DVAM informational cards with purple awareness ribbons, staffing a DVAM booth with awareness materials like NO MORE magnets, putting up yard signs with awareness messages, and asking people to take a photo with a sign they fill out that says "I Say NO MORE Because..."
Oct. 16 DVAM Football Game at Portage High School vs. Reedsburg High School: Hope House staff will be collecting donations, passing out DVAM informational cards with purple awareness ribbons, staffing a DVAM booth with awareness materials like NO MORE magnets, putting up yard signs with awareness messages, and asking people to take a photo with a sign they fill out that says "I Say NO MORE Because..."
Oct. 16 DVAM Football Game at Wisconsin Dells High School: A Hope House volunteer will once again be handing out DVAM informational cards with purple awareness ribbons and collecting donations.
Oct. 22 #GoPurple: The National Network to End Domestic Violence is promoting #GoPurple on Oct. 22 as a part of their National Week of Action. They are inviting people to wear purple, take a photo, and upload it to social media using the hashtag #GoPurple. Other days they are promoting for this week are Talk to a Friend, Donate/Volunteer, and Call on Congress.
Oct. 24 Interfaith Teen Summit in Madison: Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS) in Madison is hosting an Interfaith Teen Summit: Healthy Relationships in a Complicated World for students in grades 7-12 on Oct. 24 from 9 am - 2 pm at the First United Methodist Church, 203 Wisconsin Ave., Madison. For more information, contact alyj@abuseintervention.org.
Oct. 26 Sharing Supper: Hope House staff will be staffing a DVAM booth at the Sharing Supper at Rusch Elementary School in Portage.
Oct. 28 Sharing Supper: Hope House staff will be staffing a DVAM booth at the Sharing Supper at Endeavor Elementary School.
Oct. 29 Luncheon on Children Exposed to Domestic Violence: The Faith Leaders for Healthy Relationships committee, which Hope House is a part of, is organizing a luncheon on children exposed to domestic violence. Jane Straub, the Victim Assistance Specialist at Gunderson National Child Protection Training Center in Minnesota will be presenting. Ms. Straub has been working in violence prevention and intervention field for over 15 years. More information to follow.
Oct. 29 Sharing Supper: Hope House staff will be staffing a DVAM booth at the Sharing Supper at Mauston High School.

Month-Long Events:

Fantastic Sams in Baraboo is donating $3 from every haircut in October to Hope House for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Located at 912 Us Highway 12 in Baraboo. Thank you for your support!
Culver's in Lake Delton has a donation jar for Hope House at their cash register and DVAM informational cards with purple awareness ribbons. Thank you for your support!
Health Source Chiropractic at 701 Ash Street in Baraboo is offering a free consultation, posture analysis and spinal exam (valued at $127) with a $20 donation to Hope House from now until Nov. 7. Call 608-355-7999 to schedule an appointment.
DVAM and NO MORE displays are up at the courthouses in Portage, Mauston, and Montello and at the West Square Building in Baraboo, and the Adams County Community Center.
99.7 WRPQ in Baraboo is running DVAM radio PSAs recorded by Hope House and members of the Sauk County Coordinated Community Response Team.
Local law enforcement agencies and sheriff's departments are putting NO MORE: Together We Can End Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault car magnets on their squad cars.
A NO MORE video PSA created by the Adams County Coordinated Community Response Team, which Hope House is a part of, will be shown before films at the Adams Community Theatre.

Resources:

WI Domestic Violence Homicide Report: End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin just released their annual homicide report. In 2014, at least 43 people in Wisconsin died as a result of domestic violence - this number includes victim homicides and perpetrator suicides. To view the report, please click here.
The governor's proclamation of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month
More resources available here.

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, Tupperware, Small mason jars, Dishwasher soap, 13-Gallon garbage bags, Silverware, Brush for cleaning bottles, Fruit juice, Sip cups, Milk, Saran wrap, Aluminum foil
Laundry: Power 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: New white full/twin bed sheets, Double stroller, Pack 'n Play, Baby wipes, Band-Aids, Diapers and pull-ups, Pocket-sized calendars, Strollers, Baby bottles, Umbrellas, Hangers, Weather radio, Journals, Exercise balls, Yoga/exercise DVDs, Relaxation CDs, Baby thermometer, CD players, Regular light bulbs

News & Research
Domestic Violence

New Survey from National Domestic Violence Hotline - "Who Will Help Me?" - Reveals 1 in 4 Domestic Violence Victims Would Not Call the Police for Help: “Victims cite desire for privacy and fear of retaliation as primary reasons for not involving law enforcement”…Read more
Domestic Abuse Victims Paint Black Dots On Hands As Subtle Signal For Help: “But some say that while opening up the conversation to the public is a move in the right direction, publicizing the symbol could put victims at greater risk. ‘The idea that survivors can do something in secret, which is then announced to the world, assumes that abusers don't also check Facebook or see the news,’ Kim Gandy, president and CEO of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, wrote in an email to HuffPost. ‘Secrecy is actually an important element to safety planning for a survivor, which could be jeopardized if the abuser sees the dot, or sees the remnants of it, and knows it is an attempt to get help.’ Gandy said encouraging the public to be more responsive to the signs of abuse and keeping hotline numbers handy might be a more effective approach”…Read more
A California Moving Company Will Move Domestic Abuse Victims At No Cost: “‘Meathead Movers will work directly with the nonprofit to identify the abusive situations and provide moving services at no cost,’ a spokesperson told LA Weekly. ‘Not only do these services help the victims of domestic abuse but they directly impact Meathead employees — consisting of predominantly young men who believe that real men don’t hit women, real men help those in need.’ Meathead Movers, which was founded in 1997 by student athletes, will donate their services on a monthly basis through Good Shepherd”…Read more
This Tattoo Artist Is Covering The Scars Of Domestic Violence Survivors Free Of Charge: “‘They become excited, optimistic,’ she said. ‘It is wonderful to see how their relationship with their bodies changes after they get the tattoos. I follow many of them on Facebook, and I see how, after being ashamed of their scarred bodies, they now post pictures in dresses, and they look happy, changed. It is transformative’”…Read more

Sexual Assault

Lady Gaga Releases Music Video about Sexual Assault at University: “Lady Gaga released a public-service music video on Friday morning (BST) about university campus sexual assault, to accompany a song for campus rape documentary The Hunting Ground…The singer also said that a portion of proceeds from the song will be donated to organisations working with survivors of rape and sexual assault”…Read more [Note from Hope House: Please be advised that the music video contains scenes depicting sexual assault and can be triggering.]
Ohio State LB Jerome Baker Wants to Change How Athletes Talk about Sexual Violence: “Baker, who by then had committed to Ohio State, capitalized on his fame as a top recruit to get through to his peers…While in the gym, Baker would talk about sexual assault and consent, encouraging his gym mates to join the movement. The group used peer discussions to talk about the obstacles teenagers face when trying to do the right thing. The challenge, the boys say, is that intervening isn't always the popular move, and they recognize that their status as athletes might give them an advantage over other students”…Read more
‘The Beginning and End of Rape’: A Look at Sarah Deer’s Newest Book: “American Indian and Alaska Native women are raped at a rate three to 10 times greater than the national average. Sarah Deer, Mvskoke, an attorney and professor of law who has worked for 20 years to end violence against women, says changing this statistic should be the number one priority of tribal governments because rape is a direct and serious threat to tribal sovereignty. Deer’s most recent book,The Beginning and End of Rape: Confronting Sexual Violence in Native America,will be published this fall”…Read more
Tribal Justice: Prosecuting Non-Natives for Sexual Assault on Reservations: “STEPHEN FEE: ‘What does this tribal provision in VAWA do to help close that gap?’ THERESA POULEY: ‘It allows me to treat all domestic violence perpetrators exactly the same, Indian or non-Indian. So I have authority over Indians who commit that crime. This just gives me authority over non-Indians who commit the exact same crime.’ STEPHEN FEE: In the past 17 months, the Tulalip tribal prosecutor has brought charges against nine alleged non-Indian domestic violence defendants — five pleaded guilty, two await trial, one was referred to federal prosecutors, and one case was dismissed. But will this new authority actually help stop the crisis of violence against Indian women?”…Read the PBS interview here

Survey: More than 1 in 4 Female Undergrads at UW-Madison Sexually Assaulted: “Officials said 27.6 percent of female undergraduates reported non-consensual penetration or sexual touching in the Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct conducted by the American Association of Universities at 27 universities last spring…Yet only about one-third of UW-Madison students experiencing sexual assault — 26.1 percent of those with incidents of forced penetration and 7.1 percent of those with incidents of forced sexual touching — reported the assaults to officials, the survey found”…Read more
AAU Campus Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct: “The survey was designed to assess the incidence, prevalence and characteristics of incidents of sexual assault and misconduct. It also assessed the overall climate of the campus with respect to perceptions of risk, knowledge of resources available to victims and perceived reactions to an incident of sexual assault or misconduct”…Read the key findings, summary, or full report here
The Many Problems With Campus Sexual Assault Surveys: “This week, I spoke to David Cantor, co-principal investigator of the AAU study. He explained that the 27 campuses he and his colleagues looked at are not nationally representative; the set of schools was relatively large, but it was not randomly selected from the full complement of American universities…While 150,000 students filled out the survey, it was offered to almost 780,000 students, which makes for a disappointingly low response rate of around 19 percent. That, too, is a problem, Cantor said, because it raises questions as to whether those students who did take the survey were more inclined to have been victims of sexual assault, thus inflating the results”…Read more
LGBT Students and Campus Sexual Assault: “One aspect of the results that may be surprising, at least when considering how little the topic has figured in commentary on and coverage of the problem, is the degree to which LGBT students report being victims of sexual harassment. According to the survey, LGBT and non-heterosexual students last school year experienced significantly higher rates of sexual assault and harassment, as well as violence from an intimate partner, than their heterosexual peers”…Read more

Miscellaneous News

Wisconsin Creates Task Force to Fight Human Trafficking: “A new state-level, cross-system human trafficking task force has been created to fight the growing crisis of sexual trafficking of youth and children in Wisconsin, it was announced in mid-September, which is National Child Awareness Month…The Human Trafficking Task Force will work with existing local and regional human trafficking workgroups and task forces to better coordinate prevention, training, data collection and service delivery efforts. Through enhanced planning, resources and communication, the state-level Human Trafficking Task Force will be able to offer additional support to existing efforts, increase public awareness of the issue, create consistent statewide practices and expand both residential and community based services throughout Wisconsin”…Read more
Lies, Secrets, and Scams: How to Prevent Elder Abuse: “Financial elder abuse—broadly defined as the illegal or improper use of the funds, property, or assets of people 60 and older by family, friends, neighbors, and strangers—is rising fast…Older people’s vulnerabilities—including isolation, loneliness, generally trusting natures, relative wealth, and in some cases declining mental capabilities—make them ideal quarry for con artists. Even those whose cognition is intact can be swayed if they’re stressed or depressed, or recently have lost a loved one. The amount lost to swindlers, whether they are strangers or even relatives, is huge, with estimates ranging from almost $3 billion to more than $30 billion annually. And as baby boomers age, the pool of potential victims will expand, with assets ripe for the pickpocketing”…Read more
US Justice Department Awards $8.5 Million to 27 Campuses to Fight Sexual Assaults, Dating Violence: “Recipients are required to conduct mandatory prevention and education programming for all incoming students and to train campus law enforcement and all members of campus disciplinary boards to respond effectively to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. Campuses can use funds to develop and adopt policies and protocols that prioritize victim safety and hold offenders accountable”…Read more

Sexual Harassment Starts Earlier Than You Think — And These Women's Stories Prove It: “Girls age 8 or younger face sexual comments, sometimes within their own homes…‘What was most traumatizing for me was telling the adults in my family telling me, 'Yeah, that stuff happens, you don't tell anybody about it' or 'Oh, it's a game, they don't know any better,'’ she said. ‘Their reaction made me feel ashamed, like it was something I was doing that was bringing on that behavior’”…Read more
Why We Need to Take Street Harassment Seriously: “More than 50 percent of women report being groped, fondled or assaulted by passing men. These are commonly employed practices in a larger arsenal of street harassment tactics that includes verbal and non-verbal harassment, exposure and also sexualized surveillance. For example, only months after the man followed us up the stairs, a truck full of men snapped pictures as we walked together, one of them yelling, ‘Now we have you forever.’ Every time something like this happens, I talk to my children and their friends about harassment as a regulatory force in culture”…Read more
More Than 1,000 Pimps and Johns Arrested in Nationwide Prostitution Sting: “‘This broad national movement should send a strong message to prospective johns that sex trafficking simply is not a victimless crime,’ said Sheriff Dart in a statement. ‘These women and girls have been brutalized and exploited – and the most effective way to deter these heinous crimes is to target the demand’”…Read more

Local News

Thomas Talbot, 30, of Columbus, charged with stalking and intimidation of a woman…Read more
Monica Turley, 34, of Portage, charged with repeated child neglect…Read more
Ty Kearney, 22, Rio, will serve three years of probation after pleading no contest to two felony second degree sexual assault of a child and exposing private parts to a child…Read more
Juan Hernandez, 37, Fitchburg, is being held in Columbia County Jail on a felony charge of attempted second-degree sexual assault of a hearing-impaired Poynette woman…Read more
Travis Coonce, 35, of Mauston, faces two counts of sexual assault of a 14-year-old boy…Read more

Parents' and Youth Service Providers' Section

You’re Not Alone, We’re Here For You: “A new campaign developed by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center sends the message to students who are bullied that they are not alone. It features classroom and event toolkits designed to start conversation and initiate action on ways for students, adults, and community members to ‘be there’ united against bullying”…View the resource here
New Guide for Parents: “Helping Your Child”: “Bullying can be an isolating experience — not just for the kids involved, but for their parents, too. Fortunately, there is help. PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center has introduced a new guide, ‘Helping Your Child.’ This online resource provides steps for parents on helping their child if they are experiencing bullying, demonstrating bullying behavior, or witnessing bullying. There is also specific information for parents of children with disabilities.”
NetSmartz New & Updated Resources: For the new school year, NetSmartz has new and updated internet safety resources, such as NSTeen Quizzes, NetSmartz Generation K-5 rap video, internet safety presentations, and Teaching Digital Citizenship online educator training.
Teaching Tolerance Webinars: TeachingTolerance.org has a webinar on Oct. 6 at 4:30 pm on Responding to Hate and Bias at School and Oct. 13 at 4:30 pm on Code of Conduct: How does my school's code affect the school-to-prison pipeline.
How to Raise a Caring Child: “Children certainly learn about kindness from receiving it and from watching other people do it, but that’s often not enough. To help our children learn to be kind, we also need to address some of the barriers that get in the way of making kind choices”…Read more

CDC's Updated Dating Matters Online Training: Originally launched in 2010, the updated DATING MATTERS®: Understanding Teen Dating Violence Prevention training offers users a fresh experience as they learn about teen dating violence and how to prevent it. Learn more here.
Talking to Kids About Body Safety: “Last Sunday, TLC premiered ‘Breaking the Silence,’ a documentary filmed in partnership with Darkness to Light and RAINN which featured five brave child sexual abuse survivors who shared their stories to help viewers understand the issue and how to protect children. If you missed ‘Breaking the Silence,’ it is available for download at TLC.com. This documentary emphasized the need for adults to take responsibility for protecting children from sexual abuse…For tips on how to start and continue protective conversations with children, CLICK HERE.”
Everyday Magic: 16 Ways Adults Can Support Children Exposed to Violence and Trauma: “This policy paper offers sixteen ways that adults can support children exposed to violence and trauma to heal and grow. These recommendations are for advocates, educators, and health care providers to help improve their response to children who have experienced violence or trauma”…Read it here
Kidpower’s Safety Tips and Posters: “The Safety Tips Handouts provide a quick introduction to 'People Safety' Skills and Strategies to help prepare caring adults to protect children (and ourselves!) from bullying, violence, and abuse - as well as to prevent problems and have better relationships with people. The Child Protection and Safety Posters serve as visual tools for discussion and display. They can be downloaded and posted as vibrant reminders about our commitment as adults to the safety and well being of our children and ourselves.”

Faith Leaders' Section

Faith Leaders for Healthy Relationships Luncheon Series: The Faith Leaders for Healthy Relationships committee, in partnership with Hope House, is once again organizing educational luncheons for faith communities. Topics in this year's series include domestic violence and children, non-violent discipline of children, building resiliency, and self-care. The first luncheon will be October 29 on children exposed to domestic violence. More information to follow.
Faith Trust Institute Webinars: Faith Trust Institute is hosting free webinars on topics such as what to do when a registered sex offender comes to your congregation and power and control in intimate partner relationships. To view the list of webinars, click here.

0 Comments

August 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

8/4/2015

0 Comments

Welcome to the August 2015 edition of Hope House's Community Education E-bulletin!

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. New Prevention Project Coordinator Position Opening
2. Upcoming Events
3. Donation Needs
4. Sexual Assault
5. Domestic Violence

6. Children & Youth
7. Miscellaneous News
8. Local News
9. Parents' and Youth Service Providers' Section
10. Resources

New Prevention Project Coordinator Position Opening
We are excited to announce a new position opening at Hope House, the Prevention Project Coordinator. Please help us spread the word to anyone that may be interested in making a difference by working to bring about social change and healthier communities. The job posting and description can be found by going to our Career Opportunities page.

Upcoming Events
Be sure to check Hope House's Events page to learn more about upcoming community safety events and a workshop on understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences.

Bathrooms: Toilet paper, Deodorant, Disposable razors, Small garbage cans with bags, Nail clippers, Toilet bowl cleaner, Cleaning supplies such as Lysol disinfecting spray and floor cleaner, Clorox wipes, Hairspray, Bleach, Bathroom rugs and bath mats
Kitchen: Ziploc bags, Tupperware, Small mason jars, Dishwasher soap, 13-Gallon garbage bags, Paper towels, Silverware, Brush for cleaning bottles, Fruit juice, Sip cups, Milk, Saran wrap, Aluminum foil
Laundry: Power 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: New white full/twin bed sheets, Double stroller, Pack 'n Play, Baby wipes, Band-Aids, Diapers and pull-ups, Pocket-sized calendars, Strollers, Baby bottles, Umbrellas, Hangers, Weather radio, Journals, Exercise balls, Yoga/exercise DVDs, Relaxation CDs, Baby thermometer, CD players, Regular light bulbs

News & Research
Sexual Assault

35 Women and #TheEmptyChair: “That was the cover of this week's issue of New York — thirty-five women who have accused Bill Cosby of assault. And one empty chair. That chair signifies the 11 other women who have accused Cosby of assault, but weren't photographed for the magazine. But it also represents the countless other women who have been sexually assaulted, but have been unable or unwilling to come forward…About half an hour after the launch, we started to notice the hashtag #TheEmptyChair circulating on social media. This was not part of our elaborate launch plan — credit goes to Elon James White (a journalist and publisher of This Week in Blackness) for first using it, and the thousands of readers who continued the conversation about sexual assault”…Read more
The Aftermath Of Bill Cosby's Admission? That's Rape Culture: "The fact Cosby's leaked confession holds more weight than the voices of over 40 women who have come out with accusations against him over the years, is horrifying...Proof beyond a reasonable doubt is needed in a court of law, but the court of public opinion does not require the same standards. We should be able to decide for ourselves and listen to the stories of Cosby's accusers who have gained nothing by speaking out”…Read more
Tens of Thousands of Rape Kits Go Untested Across USA: “In the most detailed nationwide inventory of untested rape kits ever, USA TODAY and journalists from more than 75 Gannett newspapers and TEGNA TV stations have found at least 70,000 neglected kits in an open-records campaign covering 1,000-plus police agencies – and counting. Despite its scope, the agency-by-agency count covers a fraction of the nation's 18,000 police departments, suggesting the number of untested rape kits reaches into the hundreds of thousands”…Read more
[Milwaukee] Woman 82, who was Sexually Assaulted, Waited 3 Hours for Police to Arrive

What College Students Want Their Younger Siblings To Know About Sex: “That’s the question that Josy Jablons, a student at New York University, posed to her classmates this year. She wanted to get her fellow college students thinking more seriously about how to address campus sexual assault”…Read more
What a First Kiss Feels Like after a Sexual Assault: “Reddit user throwawayballet shared a victory with the world, ‘I like kissing again!’ The story, which surged to the top of the front page of the Internet, highlights a widespread but often private plight among survivors of sexual assault: Even the smallest gestures of affection can be difficult in the aftermath of trauma”…Read more
“That’s What Happened between Me and Clark”: Revising Old Hollywood’s Greatest Scandal: “Loretta Young made her name in Classic Hollywood as a great beauty — and for the cover-up of one of the industry’s greatest scandals: concealing a child, born out of wedlock, with Clark Gable, one of the era’s biggest stars. It wasn’t until recently that even Young learned the right words [date rape] for what she’d been hiding for decades”…Read more
Mennonites Apologize for History of Sex Abuse following Theologian John Howard Yoder Scandal: “From seminars to a service of lament to a statement confessing its failure to offer healing for survivors, sexual abuse was a prominent topic at the Mennonite Church USA’s biennial convention, which concluded Sunday (July 5). Not prominently mentioned, but on many people’s minds, was the denomination’s complicity in the rampant sexual violations by one of its most distinguished members, the late theologian John Howard Yoder”…Read more

Domestic Violence

Hostage and Barricade Incidents and Domestic Violence: Helping Police to See the Invisible Walls: “According to the FBI's Hostage Barricade Database System (HOBAS), 49 percent of hostage-taking and barricade situations involve a family member, spouse/ex-spouse or significant other. Training now exists in some parts of the country to prepare negotiators for the unique aspects of a domestic violence-related incident. The training entails helping law enforcement officers to recognize that these situations often have a history in which the female victim has endured prior hostage-making tactics such as isolation, threats, coercion, intimidation, and violence long before the current crisis. Partners of these men have often been subjected to three conditions that are now recognized as risk factors for intimate partner homicide: extreme control over their daily activities, isolation from family and friends and constant surveillance or stalking”…Read more
One Simple Idea That Could Reduce Domestic Violence: “A report released Tuesday is proposing a simple way to reduce domestic violence: Give victims free lawyers. Lawyers are expensive, and women who need them often can't afford them. Without legal counsel, it can be harder for women to get protective orders, leave their abusive partners and escape the cycle of violence. And women stuck in violent relationships tend to miss work because of injury or rack up hospital bills they can never pay off, according to the report by The Institute for Policy Integrity, a nonpartisan think tank”…Read more

Louisiana Shooter John Houser had History of Domestic Violence: "The man who police say opened fire Thursday night inside a showing of the Amy Schumer movie 'Trainwreck,' killing two women and wounding nine other people, had a history of domestic violence. Houser committed suicide at the scene. In 2008, John 'Rusty' Houser's wife and daughter filed an order of protection against him after he allegedly 'perpetrated acts of family violence' and threatened them over his daughter's impending marriage"...Read more

4 TED Speakers Who Aim to Inspire Change: “Advocates are out there, speaking on [survivors’] behalf to educate the public on the dangers of domestic violence and the struggles that haunt the survivors. Check out these TED Talks for inspiring messages from three such advocates and share them to help spread the word”…View the videos
Ex-49er Ray McDonald Charged with Domestic Violence: “Ray McDonald has been charged with felony false imprisonment stemming from a domestic violence incident earlier this year during which he assaulted a woman as she was holding their 2-month old infant. The 30-year-old former football player is also charged with misdemeanor domestic violence, child endangerment and with violating a court order that he stay away from the victim. If convicted, his sentence could be up to three years in prison”…Read more

Children & Youth

This Teen Used Her Make-A-Wish To Share Her Story Of Sexual Abuse: “For her Make-A-Wish, Lena wanted to spend a weekend with her two close friends Peach and Mariah – who have also experienced sexual abuse and domestic violence — have a photo shoot together while sharing her story of abuse to challenge the common perceptions of victims, fight the social stigma surrounding abuse, and inspire other victims to speak out and seek support”…Read more
Making Bullying Prevention Part of the Medical Profession’s DNA: “For example, families trust their pediatricians, in many cases more than any other adult outside of the home. We should be at the forefront of planning community prevention strategies and developing multidisciplinary partnerships with community leaders and professionals to promote the well-being of children and families beyond the ones we already have close relationships with. Bullying happens anywhere children and youth gather, learn and socialize. It is not confined to the playground or high school locker room. This is why pediatricians, physician assistants, nurses and public health officials alike need to engage a variety of stakeholders in bullying prevention”…Read more
U.S. Hospitals May Often Miss Signs of Child Abuse: “That guide, from the American Academy of Pediatrics, says that when a child younger than 2 has injuries that suggest possible physical abuse, doctors should order X-rays to look for ‘occult’ bone fractures. Those are bone breaks that aren't readily apparent during an exam, and may be old injuries healing on their own. An occult bone fracture does not always need treatment, but it can help confirm suspicions of abuse…her team found that only about half of babies with suspicious injuries were screened for hidden fractures -- even among those already diagnosed with abuse”…Read more

The Girls Matter Too: Addressing the Girls' Sexual Abuse to Prison Pipeline: “We must see what is happening to our girls at the intersection of race, gender and poverty. The terrible truth is that if you are a poor Black or Brown girl who is victimized by sexual or physical violence and trauma, your suffering is denied. Instead, you are punished for it. You are told you are not a victim of child rape, you are a child prostitute; you are not a scared, hurt girl trying to run away from an abusive parent, you are a delinquent; you are not a survivor of the sexual assault perpetrated by those you were suppose to trust, you are a bad girl”…Read more…Read related article: History of Abuse Seen in Many Girls in Juvenile System
Why Schools Over-Discipline Children With Disabilities: “The White House spotlighted punitive discipline this week, coincidentally coinciding with the ADA’s anniversary, in a gathering of educators, policymakers, and nonprofit leaders. They discussed how each suspension increases a child’s odds of becoming delinquent, abusing substances, connecting with gangs, dropping out, and falling into the 'school-to-prison pipeline'...The dire situation has prompted an Obama-administration initiative to improve “school climate”and efforts in some large, urban school districts, such as Los Angeles, to ban suspensions for non-violent offenses”…Read more
LGBT Students Face More Sexual Harassment And Assault, And More Trouble Reporting It: “Lea Roth, who also prefers ‘they’ and ‘them’ pronouns, said they were raped by a woman before starting at Dartmouth College. The woman was Roth's partner in a relationship, and Roth remembered feeling dependent on the assailant. ‘I wasn't being supported by my family at that time…So I felt reliant on that partner and their family that was more supportive of my identity as a gay person’”…Read more
Guest Editorial by Tonette Walker: Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect is a Moral and Economic Imperative: “We found that traditional approaches to providing services to children affected by maltreatment and other ACEs were inadequate. In fact, it was emphasized that some interventions may actually exacerbate trauma. The two-year Fostering Futures pilot project was proposed as a result of these sessions. Ultimately, Fostering Futures seeks to develop community capacity to integrate trauma-informed care principles into all public and private systems of care affecting children and families, leading to the long-term goal of improving well-being for Wisconsin children and their families”…Read more

Miscellaneous

This Small Facebook Update is a Rad Win for Gender Equality: “Previously, both the Friends and Groups icons on Facebook featured a woman’s silhouette in the background of a man’s silhouette. Now, the Friends icon features the man and woman side by side; and the Groups icon features a woman in the foreground with two men over her shoulders”…Read more

Local News

A New Lisbon woman charged for punching and choking her daughter who is paralyzed from the chest down...Read more
Sean Larson, 24, Lodi, has been charged with repeated sexual assault of a child…Read more
Christopher Richardson, 42, of rural Rio, threatened to kill his girlfriend and has died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound…Read more
Gregory Heep Jr., 28, of Wisconsin Dells, entered a plea of no contest to charges of possession of child pornography…Read more
Richard Delaney, 59, formerly of Juneau County, faces several charges, including two counts of sexual assault of a child…Read more
Jacob Pelanek, 22, of Wisconsin Dells, charged with first-degree child sex assault…Read more

Parents' & Youth Service Providers' Section

The Mask You Live In Curriculum Sneak Peek: “To show our gratitude, we wanted to share a special sneak peek of The Mask You Live In curriculum video, “Masculinity in Popular Culture” that explores how masculinity is represented in media. This summer, watch the video with a young person in your life and complete the accompanying activity.”
Kids Media App: Common Sense Media’s Kids Media App has “the latest movie reviews, plus recommendations for great books, apps, games, and more – customized for your kids”…Check it out here
PACER's Bullying 101: Guide for Middle and High School Students: "This highly visual, age-appropriate guide provides students with the basics for talking with other students about what bullying is and isn’t, the roles of students, and tips on what students can do to address bullying situations. Published by PACER’S National Bullying Prevention Center, this 14-page guide is available online as a free download."
Safe Spaces. Safe Places: Creating Welcoming and Inclusive Environments for Traumatized LGBTQ Youth: This online video from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network is for adults who work with youth, parents, and community members. There is a link to a video resource guide and information on LGBTQ Issues and Child Trauma.
KIDS COUNT Data Book: "The Annie E. Casey Foundation has released the 2015 KIDS COUNT Data Book that shows Wisconsin's children rank 13th overall on their selected measures of child well-being. This is good news and reflects the results from investments we have made in the past in education, employment, and family supports. But the news is not so good for everyone. The rate of growth of children in poverty in Wisconsin is greater than the rate of growth nationally. The economic recovery has not hit all parts of our state or our families and children equally. In fact, children of color in Wisconsin are falling further and further behind their white peers - and disparities between white and black children are greater than anywhere in the nation. There are solutions - we can work together to support families and children by making investments and decisions that have long-term benefits and can move us to the top of the list."

Resources
The Path to Resilience: "As the latest science from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard shows, resilience is fluid and compounding, nurtured by the essential fertilizer of an adult’s caring attention. A new three-part video series produced by the center explores — in clear and simple terms — exactly how that happens, answering questions about why some children who face serious problems can cope and thrive"...Read more and watch the videos

The Sexual Assault Support & Help for Americans Abroad Program, SASHAA, "has launched a new resource to assist American citizens and legal permanent residents who are sexually assaulted in a foreign country while studying or traveling overseas...SASHAA case managers provide an informed, compassionate response, as well as advocacy and assistance navigating medical, law enforcement and legal options. This support is continued long term, including counseling and other services. The program can be reached 24/7 from overseas by calling an international toll free hotline, 866-USWOMEN, via the AT&T Direct Access code for each country. Instructions can be found on the SASHAA website, www.sashaa.org. Other forms of communication include a live chat feature on the SASHAA website, and a crisis email: crisis@866uswomen.org. If the caller is more comfortable communicating in a foreign language, SASHAA advocates and case managers have access to a language bank."

0 Comments

July 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

7/7/2015

0 Comments

Welcome to the July 2015 edition of Hope House's Community Education E-bulletin!

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. In Memory of Tracie McClung
2. Help Us Acquire New Playground Equipment
3. Thanks to P.E.O Volunteers
4. Free Health & Wellness Groups
5. Hope House Donation Needs
6. Sexual Assault News

7. Domestic Violence News
8. Children & Youth News
9. Miscellaneous News
10. Local News
11. Parents' and Youth Service Providers' Section
12. Resources

In Memory of Tracie McClung of Lake Wisconsin
Hope House would like to express condolences to the friends and family of Tracie McClung, who lost her battle to cancer in May.

In lieu of flowers, memorials were asked to be given to Hope House. We are very grateful to those who made donations to Hope House in her memory. Thank you!

Help Us Acquire New Playground Equipment
Please consider making a donation to Hope House to help us purchase this fun, safe, new playground equipment for the courtyard at our shelter. Miller & Associates have generously given Hope House a discount, but we need your help to raise the funds. Donations can be mailed to Hope House, attn: Playground Equipment Fund, P.O. Box 557, Baraboo, WI 53913 or donate online here.

Thanks to P.E.O. Sisterhood’s Baraboo Chapter
The Baraboo News Republic recently featured the volunteer work of the P.E.O. Sisterhood’s Baraboo Chapter at Hope House.

"The women have helped in the residential facility’s garden, worked to beautify its front yard and courtyard, and donated Adirondack chairs and two Aldo Leopold benches made by Bowar’s husband, Dave Murphy. Bowar said the women hope to raise sufficient funds to purchase some items off the facility’s wish list, such as a washer and dryer. The women also held a shower this spring for the Baraboo live-in clients and their children" Read the article here.

Many thanks to the P.E.O Chapter and all our volunteers!

Free Health & Wellness Groups in Mauston and Adams
Hope House is offering free health and wellness groups at the Mauston Public Library and the Adams County Community Center. These groups teach healthy, alternative methods to reduce stress and help connect participants with supportive people in the community. For more information or to sign up to attend, call 1-800-584-6790 or email OutreachAdvocate@HopeHouseSCW.org.

Mindfulness and Breathing Techniques

Mauston: June 30 from 1-2pm (all in the small conference room)
Adams: July 1 from 1-2pm in room 103

Journaling and Beginner's Tips

Mauston: July 7 from 2:30-3:30pm
Adams: July 8 from 2:30-3:30pm in room 123

Relaxation and Meditation Techniques

Mauston: July 14 from 2:30-3:15pm
Adams: July 15 from 2:30-3:30pm in room 103

Practicing Gratitude

Mauston: July 21 from 4:30-5:30pm
Adams: July 22 from 4:30-5:30pm in room 103

Personal Leadership

Mauston: July 28 from 3:15-4pm
Adams: July 29 from 2:30-3:30pm in room 103

Bathrooms: Toilet paper, Deodorant, Disposable razors, Small garbage cans with bags, Nail clippers, Toilet bowl cleaner, Cleaning supplies such as Lysol disinfecting spray and floor cleaner, Clorox wipes, Hairspray, Bleach, Bathroom rugs and bath mats
Kitchen: Dishwasher soap, 13-Gallon garbage bags, Paper towels, Silverware, Brush for cleaning bottles, Fruit juice, Sip cups, Milk, Saran wrap, Aluminum foil
Laundry: Power laundry detergent, Dryer sheets, Fabric softener sheets
Clothing for Women and Kids: Winter boots, Socks, Women’s underwear, Medium-Large size pajamas, Sweatshirts and sweatpants
Misc: Pack 'n Play, Baby wipes, Band-Aids, Diapers and pull-ups, Pocket-sized calendars, Strollers, Baby bottles, Umbrellas, Hangers, Weather radio, Journals, Exercise balls, Yoga/exercise DVDs, Relaxation CDs, Baby thermometer, CD players, Regular light bulbs, New twin bed sheets

News & Research
Sexual Assault

How 7 Things that Have Nothing to Do with Rape Perfectly Illustrate the Concept of Consent: Check out this comic illustrating 7 "comparisons that anyone can use to show how simple and logical the idea of consent really is."
U. of San Francisco to Implement New Sexual Assault Reporting System: “The end result is that survivors have more time to reflect on their responses and can avoid the pressure from law enforcement or school officials that is known to exacerbate the trauma from the event. Essentially, one of the main goals of Callisto is to create an online network of survivors in order to reveal and catch repeat offenders”…Read more
How Men Speak with Their Friends Could Be Linked to Sexual Violence: “Participants that reported committing acts of sexual aggression also reported perceiving more pressure from their friends to have sex in comparison with men who were not perpetrators of sexual aggression. Male perpetrators of sexual aggression were also more likely to have friends who used objectifying statements about women during conversation and were more likely to feel uncomfortable when presented with egalitarian statements about women and dating”…Read more
Sexual Assault Survivors Tell Their Stories: “After conducting a poll of more than 1,000 current and recent college students from around the country, a team of Washington Post reporters interviewed dozens of people who responded that they had, at some point during their time in college, experienced unwanted sexual contact or faced an attempted or suspected assault”…Read the stories here

These Cultural Barriers Stop Some Rape Victims from Seeking Help: “Nearly 38 million people in the United States speak primarily Spanish at home...More than 17 percent of women who speak Spanish have experienced some form of sexual violence...RAINN announced a new crisis hotline Tuesday to accommodate them”…Read more
Insults to Injury: Military Sexual-Assault Victims Endure Retaliation: “Troops who have reported sexual assaults are 12 times more likely to be retaliated against than to see their attacker convicted of sex crimes, according to a report on the fallout of filing a military sexual assault report by Human Rights Watch”…Read more…Read related article: Stop Assaults on Military Campuses
National Institute of Justice’s Five Things We Know About Sexual Assault Kits: “Investments in research have dramatically improved the science of forensic DNA testing and our understanding of sexual assault kits”…Read this brief article here

Domestic Violence

Ordered to Live with an Abuser: How and Why American Family Courts Fail Children: "For Rick, the discovery of the presence of a child in his life only served one purpose: control. Within a few months, Rick filed for paternal rights at the local courthouse. By cashing in on his legal claim to his fatherhood, Rick could once again be in contact with Sarah – a woman he now despised. 'Can you imagine my horror when I read through the court documents?' Sarah says as her voice fills with anger. Little Trisha had never met her biological father, but suddenly, it was mandated that the 17-month-old spend every other weekend with him. Even if the parent in question were emotionally stable and safe, for a securely attached, breastfeeding toddler, such a sudden separation from the primary attachment figure would be jarring, difficult and scary"...Read more
Domestic Violence On Campus Is The Next Big College Controversy: “But few people know that Title IX also protects students from domestic violence, which includes physical and psychological harm. The next wave of Title IX activism, researchers and activists say, will focus on how colleges investigate allegations of and provide resources to students in abusive relationships. And it’s going to be just as complicated and contentious”…Read more

This Domestic Violence Survivor Is Empowering Others — and Got Her Own Happy Ending Too: “When Melissa Dohme was 20 years old, her boyfriend stabbed her 32 times and left her for dead…She now uses her experience to encourage other survivors of such violence — and incidentally found herself at the center of an unexpected love story…At her side throughout her courageous journey was the paramedic who saved Dohme's life: Cameron Hill…Now, three years later, the two are engaged: Hill proposed to Dohme on Monday at a Tampa Bay Rays — right after she threw the ceremonial first pitch”…Read more
Bears Release Ray McDonald after 3rd Arrest in 9 Months: “NFL defensive end Ray McDonald is again under investigation for domestic violence following his third arrest in the past nine months”…Read more…Read related article: Ray Rice Domestic Violence Charges Dismissed

Children & Youth

Sex Ed That Turns Boys into Men: “A program in Canada gives adolescent boys the space to explore big ideas like masculinity, gender, and power — with fascinating results”…Read more
High Schools and Middle Schools Are Failing Victims of Sexual Assault: “Secondary school educators are unsure and ill-trained when it comes to handling allegations that one student has assaulted another, which they are legally required to report to the police. Once accusations are made, survivors at times continue to face harassment and victim-blaming among their peers, which some victims say is even worse than the assault itself”…Read more
1 in 3 Teen Boys Sexually Assaulted Tries Suicide, Study Finds: “Teen boys who have been a victim of sexual assault are likelier to attempt suicide, a new study says. University at Buffalo researchers analysed data from more than 31,000 American teens, aged 14 to 18, who took part in surveys in 2009 and 2011. Among healthy-weight boys, 3.5 percent of those with no history of sexual assault attempted suicide within the past year, compared with more than 33 percent of those who had been sexually assaulted, the investigators found”…Read more
What’s Lurking Behind the Suicides?: “Since December, nine people between the ages of 12 and 24 have committed suicide on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation — home to Crazy Horse’s Oglala band of the Lakota — in southwestern South Dakota. They come to Pine Ridge every few years, these suicide epidemics, with varying degrees of national media attention and local soul-searching. What the news media often misses though, and what tribal members understand but rarely discuss above a whisper, is that youth suicides here are inextricably linked to a multigenerational scourge of sexual abuse, with investigations into possible abuse now open in at least two of the nine recent suicides”…Read more
Healthy Relationships May Prevent Depression in Child Abuse Survivors: “Researchers followed a group of 485 young adults in Rochester, New York, for 12 years to see how exposure to neglect or maltreatment during childhood would influence their ability to have satisfying relationships with intimate partners and their susceptibility to depression. ‘In our sample, we do not find evidence that maltreatment reduces the likelihood that an individual will be in a stable, satisfying intimate partner relationship’”…Read more
Teens, Social Media & Technology Overview 2015: “Aided by the convenience and constant access provided by mobile devices, especially smartphones, 92% of teens report going online daily — including 24% who say they go online 'almost constantly,' according to a new study from Pew Research Center…Nearly three-quarters of teens have or have access to a smartphone and 30% have a basic phone, while just 12% of teens 13 to 17 say they have no cell phone of any type…Facebook remains the most used social media site among American teens ages 13 to 17 with 71% of all teens using the site, even as half of teens use Instagram and four-in-ten use Snapchat”…Read more

Miscellaneous

Masculinity Gets a Modern Makeover in Getty Images' Newest Stock Art Collection: “Stock photography is everywhere, and a lot of it reinforces traditional gender roles. But Getty Images partnered with Sheryl Sandberg's LeanIn.org last year to change that by creating a collection of 2,500 images showing women in more empowering ways. The collection, which has since doubled in size, turned out to be a success, according to Getty, with sales also doubling since the launch. Now, ahead of Father's Day and following the launch of Sandberg's 'Lean In Together' campaign earlier this year, Getty Images has curated another collection, this time offering images that redefine representations of masculinity”…Read more

Local News

Devyn Garcia, 20, of North Freedom, charged with repeated sexual assault of a teen girl...Read more
Michael Powell, of Portage, sentenced to 8 years probation for sexually assaulting a 30-year-old woman with significant cognitive impairment...Read more
Steven Rist, 43, of Columbus, charged with sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl...Read more

Parents' & Youth Service Providers' Section

The #BuildConfidence Campaign: “The Representation Project is proud to present the #BuildConfidence campaign to celebrate, inform, and empower mentors who model positive self-esteem and body image…We want every mom, dad, and caregiver to have the information and resources they need to model healthy self-esteem and body image for their children. That’s why we put together two #BuildConfidence Toolkits: For Dads & Caregivers and For Moms & Caregivers The kits feature the most effective strategies, talking tips, and resources”…Read more…View their related resource: Conversation Starters for Teens and Families
What Teenage Boys Should Know about Teenage Girls: Check out this writer's examples of how girls are affected by sexual assault, harassment, dress codes, the wage gap, and more.
Futures Without Violence’s #TeachEarly: “Help the young men in your life build healthy, non-violent relationships by teaching them early about the importance of respect, particularly for women. In this playbook you'll find tips, facts, and teachable moments to help you talk about healthy relationships with the kids in your life”…Check it out here
Nope – That’s Not Cool: “During February, [thatsnotcool.com] continued to promote a Tumblr that we created, called Nope – That’s Not Cool. The tone is intentionally cheeky to relate to teens, and utilizes a variety of GIFs and memes—two popular forms of visual media among young people. Our Tumblr posts feature specific instances and examples of dating abuse—such as over-texting and nude picture pressure—while simultaneously highlighting the humor and absurdity of the negative behavior in question.”
Teen Self-Harm: The Center for Young Women’s Health has a page on self-harm, including information on why people do it, how to try to stop, and helping a friend…Check it out here
Stop It Now, an organization working to stop child sexual abuse has a newly designed website. They “designed it to be easily engaging with helpful and instructive information to help you keep children safe.”
Teaching Tolerance’s Shelter from the Storm: “Educators are often trained to recognize trauma related to grief, loss or abuse, but poverty-related trauma has its own set of symptoms. Read how schools in California and Texas are helping poverty-traumatized students at the classroom and building levels.”
PACER’s Helping Your Child with Bullying: “We're excited to introduce a new online resource for parents that offers advice on helping your child if they are being bullied, bullying others, or witnessing bullying. There is also specific information for parents of children with disabilities”…Visit the page
Developing a Positive School Climate-Top Ten Tips to Prevent Bullying and Cyberbullying: “Here's what you can do to improve your climate and not only enhance student achievement, success, and productivity, but also teach youth to be safe, smart, honest, and responsible while using technology”…Read more

#Day1 Anti-Bullying Campaign: The #Day1 Campaign is a new anti-bullying campaign that requires “1) A person in authority, 2) clearly saying what behavior is expected and what is not tolerated, 3) done early on (on Day 1), 4) and getting a verbal confirmation back that the instruction is understood”…View their site
5 Reasons Not to Worry About Kids and Social Media: “As a parent, you can help nurture the positive aspects simply by accepting how important social media is for kids and helping them find ways for it to add real value to their lives. For inspiration, here are some of the benefits of your kid being social media-savvy”…Read more
NetSmartz Student Project Kit: “This tool offers middle and high school students activities and projects they can use to teach younger students and their peers about online safety and digital citizenship. If you are familiar with the older Teen Volunteer Kit, be sure to check out this updated version.”
Prevent Child Abuse Parent Pages: “Prevent Child Abuse North Carolina provides parent pages on timely topics of interest to parents. We encourage you to download the pages and share them with parents in your school and community”…Download them here…View similar tip sheets from the Child Welfare Information Gateway here
The Child Welfare Information Gateway has released a series of online fact sheets exploring the effects of maltreatment on children and how parents can help them recover. One of the fact sheets focuses on parenting a child who has experienced trauma. Other topics in the series include parenting a child who has experienced sexual abuse and abuse or neglect.
Connections: Child Abuse Prevention Video Series: This series, a collaboration between the Children’s Bureau and the National Child Abuse Prevention Partners, features presentations from 11 different organizations, focused around themes to help move the child maltreatment field forward to a greater emphasis on prevention.
Kidpower Skills for Health Care Providers: This article “describes how even a few minutes can make a great difference for patients by educating them about personal safety, practicing skills to prevent problems, and preparing parents with knowledge about how to keep their kids safe from child abuse, bullying, abduction, and other dangers.”
Resource Parent Curriculum Online: “This workshop is designed to provide resource parents with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively care for children and teens who have experienced trauma. Participants will learn how trauma-informed parenting can support children’s safety, permanency, and well-being, and engage in skill-building exercises that will help them apply this knowledge to the children in their care.”
Trauma Informed Care: Perspectives and Resources: From the National Technical Assistance Center for Children s Mental Health, this online tool is “comprised of issue briefs, video interviews, and resource lists [which] tells a story of implementation of trauma informed services and offers guidance and resources to help you on your implementation journey.”

Resources
Preventing and Responding to Domestic and Sexual Violence in Later Life: "In observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15, 2015), the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence is pleased to share this updated Special Collection. By focusing specifically on domestic and sexual violence (DV/SV) in later life, this special collection highlights the complexities of older people's DV/SV experiences and emphasizes collaborative and multi-pronged approaches to addressing DV/SV in later life."

Suicide Prevention App for Health Care Providers Free from SAMHSA: “Suicide Safe, SAMHSA's new suicide prevention app for mobile devices and tablets, helps providers integrate suicide prevention strategies into their practice and address suicide risk among their patients. Based on SAMHSA's Suicide Assessment Five-Step Evaluation and Triage (SAFE-T) card, Suicide Safe helps providers: (1) use the SAFE-T approach with patients; (2) explore interactive case study examples; (3) quickly access and share information, including crisis lines, fact sheets, educational opportunities, and treatment resources; (4) browse conversation starters, sample language, and tips for talking with patients; and (5) identify treatment options, locations, resources, and referrals.”

YWCA Racial Justice Resources: The YWCA in Madison has created a webpage with various racial justice resources that you can use to create change individually—through personal learning, education & action; interpersonally—through discussion & actions with family, friends, and groups that you are connected to; institutionally—through working towards systemic change in your community and/or organization.

0 Comments

March 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

3/1/2015

2 Comments

Welcome to the March 2015 edition of Hope House's Community Education E-bulletin!

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
February Was Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month
Hope House Donation Needs
Domestic Violence
Sexual Assault
Campus Sexual Assault
Children & Youth

Miscellaneous News
Local News
Resources
Training Opportunity
Faith Communities' Section
Parents' and Youth Service Providers' Section

February was Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

Sadly the potential severity of teen dating violence was made all too real last month when 17-year-old Dean Sutcliffe killed his ex-girlfriend's sister and mom's boyfriend in Mazomanie. Please see the list of articles and resources below related to this case and other teen dating violence issues:

Mazomanie Homicides Shine Light on Teen Dating Violence: NBC 15 interviewed Hope House's Community Education Program Manager for a segment on teen dating violence. See related articles: DAIS Director Says Teen Dating Violence is Common and Mazomanie Teen Threatened to Kill Before Double Homicide
Teen Dating Violence Happens in Our Community: Check out Hope House's letter to the editor on Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
[NY] State Starts Social Media Campaign Against Teen Dating Violence: Check out the 4-minute video featuring teens discussing warning signs of dating violence and encouraging bystanders to speak up.

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, clothes (except for sweatshirts and sweatpants), shoes, TVs, bar soap, hats, scarves or travel-size bottles of shampoo, conditioner, or body wash. Current needs include

Bathrooms: Toilet paper, Deodorant, Disposable razors, Small garbage cans with bags, Nail clippers, Toilet bowl cleaner, Cleaning supplies such as Lysol disinfecting spray and floor cleaner, Clorox wipes, Hairspray, Bleach, Bathroom rugs and bath mats
Kitchen: Dishwasher soap, 13-Gallon garbage bags, Paper towels, Silverware, Brush for cleaning bottles, Fruit juice, Sip cups, Milk, Saran wrap, Aluminum foil
Laundry: Power laundry detergent, Dryer sheets, Fabric softener sheets
Clothing for Women and Kids: Winter boots, Socks, Women’s underwear, Medium-Large size pajamas, Sweatshirts and sweatpants
Misc: Pack 'n Play, Baby wipes, Band-Aids, Diapers and pull-ups, Pocket-sized calendars, Strollers, Baby bottles, Umbrellas, Hangers, Weather radio, Journals, Exercise balls, Yoga/exercise DVDs, Relaxation CDs, Baby thermometer, CD players, Regular light bulbs, New twin bed sheets

News & Research
Domestic Violence

NASCAR Suspends Kurt Busch After Domestic Violence Details: "NASCAR suspended Kurt Busch indefinitely Friday after a judge said the former champion almost surely choked and beat a former girlfriend last fall and there was a 'substantial likelihood' of more domestic violence from him in the future. In a stunning move two days before the season-opening Daytona 500, NASCAR said Busch would not be allowed to participate in any series activities until further notice"...Read more
MLB Players to Undergo Mandatory Domestic Violence Education
Why Victims Of Domestic Violence Don’t Testify, Particularly Against NFL Players: “There are various reasons victims choose not to do testify in domestic violence cases, including the fact that reliving the experience can be embarrassing and even re-traumatizing. One of the biggest reasons they avoid court, though, is the fear of retribution from their accusers...Studies have shown that between 40 and 60 percent of offenders arrested on domestic violence charges re-offend within 30 months, and a justice system that often fails to successfully monitor abusers and enforce restraining orders — and also fails to rehabilitate and reform offenders instead of punishing them — doesn’t always inspire confidence”…Read more
Ravens Will Avoid Players With Domestic Violence Issues
The Grammys: Meet the Domestic Violence Activist Performing with Katy Perry Tonight: “Her essay in the book, ‘What I Know of Silence,’ explored her experience of child sex-trafficking by a male nanny and how she used poetry and music to both heal and help her connect with other survivors...Now, the 34-year-old Austin resident, who serves as director of communications for the nonprofit Allies Against Slavery, is poised to speak to the entire world, parlaying her advocacy right into the heart of American pop culture when she joins Katy Perry onstage at the Grammys tonight. Before Perry sings ‘By the Grace of God,’ Axtell will give a speech about her experience with domestic violence”…Read more...Read related article: The Grammys’ Mixed Message on Domestic Violence: It’s Unacceptable — Except When the Abuser is a Pop Star We Like

A Glimpse From the Field: How Abusers Are Misusing Technology: "The Safety Net Project recently surveyed victim service providers on the misuse of technology by abusers. Of the programs surveyed, 97 percent reported that the survivors they are working with experience harassment, monitoring, and threats by abusers through the misuse of technology. Abusers in intimate partner violence misuse technology in many ways: to stalk and monitor victims, to harass victims through the 'anonymity' of the technology, and to impersonate victims through technology, such as creating false social media accounts"...Read more
'This Was The Beginning Of My Fear': 8 Truths About Stalking You Need To Know: “The word ‘stalking’ has taken on a whole new meaning in the cultural lexicon...‘Stalking’ a person online before an upcoming date is common, even de rigueur. ‘Stalking’ frenemies we haven’t talked to in years (but still know all about via their Facebook profiles) has basically become a new pastime. But the truth is, actual stalking is not something to simply brush off, mention in passing or take lightly. It’s very real and very scary — and this era, it’s all too easy to get caught up in a stalker’s snare. In fact, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 14 men will be stalked in their lifetimes. Read on for eight truths about stalking”
Unspoken Side of Domestic Violence: "In June of 2014 [Christopher] Chapa was shot to death in Galveston. The woman now charged with his murder is the one he was about to propose to...Holmes describes her brother's relationship saying, 'They're willing to do whatever it takes because they love them. They don't see this as I'm in real danger; this is a real toxic relationship.' She says she's sharing his story to raise awareness about the reality of men abused by women"...Read more
Polish Lawmakers Approve Law against Domestic Violence, after Fiery Debate about Family Values

Sexual Assault

8 Love Letters That Remind Sexual Assault Survivors They Are Not Alone: "'#Survivorloveletter is a call to survivors of sexual violence and our loved ones to publicly celebrate our lives,' Ikeda writes on the Tumblr's homepage. 'By telling our stories we seek to build knowledge and reflect on the ways we heal ourselves and our communities'"...Read more
Sex Slaves on the Farm: "Janet was forced into prostitution in Mexico by a boyfriend named Antonio in 1999; coyotes brought them across the border the following year, and they went to live with Antonio’s family in the borough of Queens in New York City, where she was put to work in brothels. Every couple of weeks, a van would take her and other women and girls—some as young as 12—to Charlotte, where she would spend a week or more, forced to have sex with strangers at a brothel by night and at farm labor camps by day"...Read more

When It Comes To Sexual Assault, #TheresNoPerfectVictim: "People who report their experiences of sexual assault are subjected to constant questioning and scrutiny -- as if there is a certain way 'real victims' should behave after being raped. In reality, people process trauma in myriad ways, and someone's reaction after being assaulted should not be used as 'proof' that a rape didn't happen if it doesn't match up with the way society believes a victim 'should' act...Today, feminist activists Julie Zeilinger and Wagatwe Wanjuki started the hashtag #TheresNoPerfectVictim to discuss the pressure survivors face, and the ways in which detractors try to discredit them"...Read more
Obama Delivers Sexual Assault Message at the Grammys: ‘It Has to Stop’
Prosecutors: UIC Student Charged with Assault Said He was Re-enacting 'Fifty Shades of Grey'

Campus Sexual Assault

In 5 Minutes, This Student Destroys Our Double Standards For Men And Women: “So Smith, who has 236,000 followers on Vine, connected up with One Student, a nonprofit aimed at college sexual assault awareness and education, to create a video going after what he sees as one cause of sexual violence: societal attitudes. The video, which was uploaded on Feb. 18, uses the language of sports to dissect and destroy harmful ideas about how men and women should behave sexually”…View the video
The Worst Way to Address Campus Rape: "Their skill with a weapon or fighting ability isn’t what I’m worried about; basic training didn’t help the tens of thousands of people in the military who suffered penetrative sexual attacks in 2014...'Just saying, letting women carry guns on campus to deter rape also means letting rapists carry guns,' he tweeted...These would-be remedies exacerbate the problem they purport to solve, making victims responsible for preventing their own attacks instead of putting the onus on rapists"...Read more...Read related article: Concealed Handguns Mainly Miss the Mark as an Answer to Campus Rape
The Other Side of Campus Sexual Assault That the Media Isn't Telling: "Such treatment tends to ignore the major strides survivors have made toward changing the conversation about sexual assault on their own...Whether it's through the creation of larger organizations or individual initiatives, utilizing groundbreaking technology or making inspiring art, women and men across the country are empowering one another to become agents of change. This generation isn't passively waiting for saviors: They're starting a revolution. And they're succeeding"...Read more

The Treatment of Emma Sulkowicz Proves We Still Have No Idea How to Talk About Rape: "'If you didn't immediately dial 911, it doesn't mean you weren't raped. Everyone deals with trauma differently, depending on how we were raised, the way we see ourselves and the different ways we each handle crises,' Sulkowciz said. 'I want other survivors to know that if you reached out to your attacker after you were assaulted, it shouldn't discredit your story'"...Read more
Sexual Assault Under-Reported on U.S. College Campuses: "Researchers looked at data about on-campus sexual assaults reported by 31 large private and public universities and colleges during audits by the federal government. During the audits, the number of reported sexual assaults rose an average of 44 percent compared to previously reported figures. After the audits ended, the reported number of sexual assaults fell to pre-audit levels...The study also found that reporting of other serious crimes -- such as assault, robbery and burglary -- during audits didn't show the same dramatic increase as seen in the reporting of sexual assaults"...Read more
The Hidden Victims of Campus Sexual Assault: Students with Disabilities: “More specifically, it uncovers troubling allegations from students who said their disabilities made them targets for sexual assault; that their experiences reporting that abuse were complicated by factors like disability, race and sexual identity; and that in some cases, sexual assault was even the cause of a disability, such as depression. Their stories, experts say, offer a window into the dire need for all universities to do a better job of tackling sexual assault among students with disabilities, and into the possible legal ramifications of their inaction”…Read more

Children & Youth

The Subtly Offensive Phrases We Need To Stop Saying: “Though they might be unintentional, these offensive phrases -- called micro-aggressions -- are heard all too often in everyday conversation. And while they're frequently said in a joking way, the meaning of those words can have lasting negative effects. In a video created by SheKnows, a group of teen girls explained how micro-aggressions can be hurtful to their self-esteem”…Watch the video
Tim Kaine, Claire McCaskill Bill Would Require Sexual Assault Education In Public High Schools: "The Teach Safe Relationships Act of 2015, introduced on Tuesday by Sens. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Tim Kaine (D-Va.), would require that health education in public secondary schools include learning on 'safe relationship behavior' aimed at preventing sexual assault, domestic violence and dating violence"...Read more
Research Results from Madison Schools Suggest Compassion, Kindness Can Be Taught: "In a just-released study, UW-Madison researchers found that kids who had participated in the curriculum were less selfish and exhibited better social skills and greater mental flexibility than children who did not do the exercises. And in an added bonus, the kids who did the kindness curriculum earned higher academic marks at the end of the school year"...Read more

Meet the Middle School Girls Changing TX Dating Violence Legislation: "The group of 6th, 7th and 8th grade girls made the PSA as their outreach project for Destination Imagination, an organization that encourages student creativity through competitive problem-solving tournaments...What started as a group project for a middle school-level competition has since grown into a push for policy change with the help of TCFV"...Read more

[UK] Boy's Heartbreaking Video about his Torment at Hands of Bullies Prompts School Investigation: "A 12-year-old boy has forced his school to investigate bullies after making this heartbreaking video about his torment...'He’s showing others they can speak out. The school has been quite helpful. They’ve spoken to me and it seems like they want things to change'"...Read more
Understanding Trauma Can Turn Lives Around: Former NHLer Sheldon Kennedy: “The goal, he said, is to help children before the trauma they have experienced takes a further toll on their lives and their futures...He was abused by former hockey coach James between the ages of 14 and 19, until about 1990...Kennedy, who went on to play for the Calgary Flames and the Boston Bruins, turned to drugs and alcohol, spent time in jail, rehabilitation centres and psychiatric hospitals...After James was sentenced for abusing Kennedy and another player, Kennedy began speaking publicly about his case and became a well-known advocate for victims of abuse”…Read more
Let's Overcome Our Blind Spots When It Come to Child Trafficking: “Through research and advocacy work we know that domestic trafficking of children is far more common than most Americans believe, and more underreported. It can take the form of sexual exploitation, like what happened to Brian and Katy. And, it can take other forms. Some traffickers force children to work in peddling rings, selling magazines or candy on street corners or in suburban neighborhoods”…Read more

Miscellaneous

Facebook Rolling Out Suicide Prevention Tool: “Facebook worked with mental health organizations including the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to ‘provide more resources, advice and support to people who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts and their concerned friends and family members.’ The company announced a new tool that allows users to report to Facebook if a friend has posted a threat to commit suicide. These reports will be reviewed by teams who can ‘send help.’ The poster in question may receive a private message from Facebook saying, ‘...a friend thinks you might be going through something difficult and asked us to look at your recent post.’ It will then direct the person to options to talk to a friend or helpline worker, or to get tips and support”…Read more
1 In 3 Women Has Been Sexually Harassed At Work, According To Survey: “A new survey found that one in three women between the ages of 18-34 has been sexually harassed at work. Cosmopolitan surveyed 2,235 full-time and part-time female employees and found that one in three women has experienced sexual harassment at work at some point their lives”…Read more and view the infographic
Ravages of Revenge Porn Spur Federal Crime Push: "Started in 2012, the End Revenge Porn campaign has helped 11 state pass laws criminalizing revenge porn. Today 16 states have criminal remedies for revenge porn, with more in the works. Though advocates say federal law is also essential to combating this vicious online crime, which is boundary-less like the Internet"...Read more

Local News

Krystal Schmidtke, 32, of Lodi, faces a felony charge of physical abuse of a child and a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct, stemming from allegations that she restrained and injured a 13-year-old child...Read more

Justin Wagner, 27, of Wisconsin Dells, faces charges of first-degree attempted intentional homicide, strangulation and suffocation, misdemeanor battery, and disorderly conduct, all alleged to have stemmed from domestic abuse...Read more
Shawn LaRush, 42, of Portage, charged with false imprisonment and disorderly conduct stemming from allegations that he held a woman against her will...Read more
Matthew Elliot, 24, of Lodi, sentenced to six months in jail and to register as a sex offender for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl...Read more
Patrick Kraemer, 46, of Wyocena, will go on trial for first-degree intentional homicide of Traci Rataczak, his girlfriend, in April of 2013…Read more
Natalie Murphy, 22, of Necedah, charged with first-degree intentional homicide of Andrew Dammen of Mauston, the father of her daughter…Read more

Resources
Child Abuse and Children with Disabilities: Teachers College at Columbia University has created web resources that are specifically focused on preparing for and conducting interviews with children who have been abused who also have disabilities. To view these resources, click here.

OVC’s Victim Assistance Training (VAT) Online has added five new modules to its curriculum: sexual assault, LGBTQ populations, victims with substance abuse issues, financial crimes, and identity theft. VAT training is free and high-quality. For more information, click here.

Transgender Sexual Violence Project: Summary of Wisconsin Data: "The Transgender Sexual Violence Project, sponsored by FORGE (For Ourselves: Reworking Gender Expression), conducted a national survey on sexual violence within the transgender and SOFFA (Significant Others, Friends, Family and Allies) community...We broadly define transgender to include a large population of people who do not strictly adhere to societally constructed gender norms and stereotypes." View the data here.

National Eating Disorder Awareness Week (Feb 22-28): The National Eating Disorders Association has created tools and resources to understand eating disorders and support individuals and families on the journey to recovery. They have an information and referral helpline, lesson plans on digital media literacy, awareness materials, and toolkits for parents, educators, and coaches. You might also be interested in the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s online resource collection on sexual violence, trauma, and eating disorders, which you can view here.

Training Opportunity
Together for Children Conference: This conference will be held April 15-16 in Lake Geneva. Workshops include Teen Sexual Abuse: What Professionals Need to Know for Prevention and Response; Child Sexual Abuse in a Technological World: Implications for Investigation, Prosecutions and Victim Impact; A Collaborative Model for Reducing Truancy; Maximizing the Benefits of Team Building; Dangerous Homes? What injuries should make you worry about abuse after household 'accidents'; Promoting Resiliency in Young Children in Poverty who have Experienced Complex Trauma; and more. For more information and to register, visit www.preventchildabusewi.org.

Faith Communities' Section
Save the Date: The next Faith Leaders for Healthy Relationships (FLHR) luncheon will be on April 28 on Spiritual Integrity - how to help individuals re-establish trust in themselves, others, and in a higher power when someone has broken that trust due to experiences of abuse, cheating, crossing boundaries, pastoral misconduct, or conflicts in the church. Thanks to everyone that participated in the last FLHR luncheon, Community Resources Panel, on January 21 at Trappers Turn Golf Club!

More Pastors Embrace Talk of Mental Ills: “Evangelical leaders are increasingly opening up about family suicides, their own clinical depression and the relief they have received from psychiatric medication…This month, a mental health advisory group appointed by Dr. Page offered a variety of proposals to help Southern Baptist congregants and their families with mental health challenges, the first time the church has addressed the subject in a direct and comprehensive manner. The proposals include providing churches with a database of Christian counselors and mental health providers, and offering more robust education about mental health in seminaries and at Christian colleges”…Read more

Parents' & Youth Service Providers' Section
Teaching Digital Citizenship: "In partnership with Disney's Club Penguin, NetSmartz is proud to announce that our latest resource, Teaching Digital Citizenship, is available today! This free, online training tool provides practical tips for leading class discussions and highlights NetSmartz resources ideal for teaching each topic. This program provides an in-depth review of how to teach digital literacy and ethics, inappropriate content, online sexual solicitation, online privacy, sexting, and cyberbullying."

Futures Without Violence’s How to Talk to Teens about Dating Violence: “Below you’ll find information and tools to help you talk to your kids about healthy relationships, guidelines on how to navigate their world of cell phones and social networking and how to talk to your kids about being an upstander vs. a bystander”…Read more

Miss Representation Curriculum 2.0: "Watch this video with a young person in your life and complete the accompanying activity. Next, imagine a whole library of videos like this one, inspiring media literacy and learning. In the curriculum, we've paired multiple, age-appropriate, short videos with easy to implement lessons for both in and out of school. If you want to keep spreading the love, get the Miss Representation Curriculum 2.0 for your local classroom or community group."

Putting Media to the Test: “Here at loveisrespect, we’re all about building and nurturing healthy relationships, but unfortunately the media is not always on the same page. In honor of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, we’ve decided to dissect some media and put it to the test. The Healthy Relationship test, that is! Below are the music videos for three chart-toppers from 2014 [Jealous by Nick Jonas, Blank Space by Taylor Swift, and Animals by Maroon 5]. To test them, we’re going to focus on both the lyrics and the imagery”…Check out the songs’ scorings

NO BULL Challenge: "A social action organization, NO BULL Challenge invites youth (ages 13 to 23) from around the world to take a stand against bullying and to promote digital responsibility, leadership, and social action through filmmaking and social media. To participate, create a short film, public service announcement (PSA) or vine. To learn more about how you can be a leader, make it all the way to the award show in Los Angeles, and win a scholarship and other prizes, go to w ww.nobullchallenge.org. Entry deadline: April 19, 2015."

School Experiences of Trans and Gender Non-Conforming Students in Wisconsin: "The purpose of this research is to systematically document the experiences of transgender (trans) and gender non-conforming (GNC) students in Wisconsin schools to fill in the knowledge gaps about their unique needs. Six themes are addressed in the report: learning environment, physical facilities, health and wellness, safety, institutional and social support, and acceptance and respect"...Read the report

2 Comments

January 2016 Community Education E-bulletin

November 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

October 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

August 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

July 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

March 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

Categories

Archives