Category: Child Abuse

Lantern Lit on 12/29/15-1/5/15 for Tae’ Najah Morgan

12/30/2015

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

There is no obituary posted at this time. If we become aware of one, we will post it here.

Tae’ Najah Morgan, age 2

News Story: "A 26-year-old Milwaukee man is accused of using an accelerant to start a house fire that killed a 2-year-old girl and seriously injured a 10-year-old boy. Michael Morgan was charged Wednesday with arson in the fatal fire Oct. 20 at his estranged wife's home in Milwaukee. He faces up to 40 years in prison and $100,000 in fines. Six children and their grandmother were home at the time of the fire. The grandmother was able to guide four of the children, ranging in age from 1 to 11, to safety. Firefighters found 2-year-old Tae’ Najah Morgan and Michael Morgan's 10-year-old stepson inside the home. The girl died the following day at a hospital. Her death is being investigated as a homicide"...Read more

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August 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

8/4/2015

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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.

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 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

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

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."

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July 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

7/7/2015

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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.

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March 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

3/1/2015

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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

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Lantern Lit on 12/29/15-1/5/15 for Tae’ Najah Morgan

August 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

July 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

March 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

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