Category: Financial Abuse

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.

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October 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

10/1/2015

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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.

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Purple Purse Challenge Results

10/15/2014

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I wish to thank everyone who participated in the Purple Purse Challenge* to benefit Hope House of South Central Wisconsin. Hope House was one of 146 organizations across the nation selected for the challenge, which was sponsored by The Allstate Foundation. The Purple Purse Challenge makes it fashionable for everyone to talk about domestic violence and particularly the financial abuse that keeps people trapped in abusive relationships.

Our thanks to Baraboo Mayor Mike Palm for endorsing the challenge and helping us win an extra cash bonus from The Allstate Foundation for adding his video to our Purple Purse Challenge website. We are so grateful to the hundreds of individuals, families, businesses, groups and communities of faith who together raised $41,491 for Hope House!

It was a competitive and exciting challenge. Our supporters kept us in one of the top 12 spots on the national leaderboard throughout the entire 5 weeks of the challenge. In the final hours of the competition, knowing that those who finished in the top 10 places would win between $10,000 and $100,000 from The Allstate Foundation, our supporters rallied and encouraged others to support our cause. In the last two minutes, we dropped to 11th place, which was only $597 behind the 10th place, but $14,656 ahead of the agency in 12th place.

Even though we just missed winning the big challenge, we did win a few small challenges throughout the competition. The $41,491 raised by community members and the $2,150 from The Allstate Foundation will support critical services for individuals and families in our area and will help us work towards eliminating violence through awareness and education in our schools and our communities. Together we are making a difference. Together we are saving lives.

Ellen Allen, Executive Director, Hope House of South Central Wisconsin

*To see our Purple Purse page, please click here. To see how we did compared to the other organizations, please click here to see the leader board. To see how community members supported us during the challenge, please scroll through our Facebook page.

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January 2016 Community Education E-bulletin

October 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

Purple Purse Challenge Results

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