Category: Racial Justice

July 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

7/7/2015

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

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: 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

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

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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February 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

2/2/2015

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

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
2. UW-Baraboo V-Day Event
3. Survey to Help Hope House Review Its Mission
4. Heart Health Workshop
5. Adverse Childhood Experiences Workshop in Portage
6. Hope House Donation Needs

7. Domestic Violence
8. Sexual Assault
9. Campus Sexual Assault
10. Children & Youth
11. Miscellaneous News
12. Local News
13. Parents' & Youth Service Providers' Section
14. Faith Communities' Section
15. Resources

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

Hope House has collected a list of excellent resources and awareness activity ideas for teens, parents, educators, and youth-serving providers for Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month. Click here to view the list and see how you can get involved. Feel free to call Hope House with any questions or requests for additional information or presentations at 608-356-9123.

UW-Baraboo/Sauk County V-Day Event Benefiting Hope House on February 17

UW-Baraboo/Sauk County is holding its eighth annual V-Day event on February 17th from 12:30-1:45pm at the R.G. Brown Theatre on campus. The “V” in V-Day stands for Victory, Valentine, and Vagina. Students and community members will perform a staged reading of Eve Ensler’s “The Vagina Monologues.” These monologues are taken from real women’s stories about their bodies, empowerment, and violation.

Unfortunately, a common experience for many women is that of abuse – child sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, rape, domestic violence, teen dating violence, and stalking. By breaking the silence and telling women’s stories of strength and survival, other women (and men) feel more comfortable telling their own experiences of abuse.

These monologues aren’t all heavy and serious. Many are fun and flirty tales of women claiming their rights to their own bodies (and yes, their vaginas).

This Valentine’s, rather than buying flowers or chocolate, how about doing something unique like taking a partner or a friend to see “The Vagina Monologues”? After the show, there will be a “Break the Chain” dance performance as part of V-Day’s 3rd annual One Billion Rising campaign. The suggested donation is $5. Proceeds help support Hope House.

For more information on V-Day, the global movement to end violence against women and girls, please visit www.vday.org. For more information on the One Billion Rising campaign, please visit www.onebillionrising.org. To view a poster for this event, please click here.

Hope House Needs Your Help in Reviewing Our Mission
Hope House board and staff will be reviewing its mission and vision. We'd greatly appreciate community members input for this process. Please click here to take a 3-question survey by February 9th. Thanks for your assistance!

Heart Health Workshop at Hope House
Lori Rudolph, Parish Nurse Coordinator, will be at Hope House on February 12 at 10am to give a presentation on heart health. All are welcome to attend. Please call Hope House at 608-356-7500 with any questions.

Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES) and Protective Factors:
Protecting and Promoting Children’s Well-being Free Workshop in Portage
You’re invited to join others from across Columbia County to come together to learn more about ACEs and their impact on health and well-being. Because we believe that all of us can be part of creating a better life for children, we will also explore the idea of “Protective Factors” as a framework for preventing ACEs in the lives of children and promoting stronger families. Organized by the Columbia County CARES Advisory Steering Committee, this free workshop will be held on February 12 from 8am-12:30pm at Grace Bible Church in Portage. Please RSVP by February 6 by emailing Patti Herman, UW-Extension Family Living Educator, at patti.herman@ces.uwex.edu.

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, 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: 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
Marissa Alexander Released from Jail: "Marissa Alexander, the Florida mother whose case became a rallying cry for anti-racism activists and survivors of domestic violence, was released today after three years of incarceration. Alexander had faced up to 60 years behind bars for firing a single shot near her abusive husband, unable to convince a jury she had feared for her life. A hearing Tuesday confirmed the terms: Having pleaded guilty to assault in exchange for credit for time served, she will be subject to two years of electronic monitoring and house arrest, except for approved appointments and employment"...Read more

George Zimmerman Arrested on Suspected Domestic Violence
Watch the NFL's Chilling Anti-Domestic Violence Super Bowl PSA: “The clip, part of the league's No More campaign, features scenes of a disheveled home and the voice of a woman who dials 911 but pretends to order pizza — fearing to openly report the abuse within earshot of her abuser. The PSA, reportedly based on an actual 911 call, shows the woman doing her best to communicate the situation to the emergency operator”…Read more...Read related article: The NFL Wants to Listen to Victims of Domestic Violence: Where Were They Last Year
Viral Italian PSA About Domestic Violence Makes A Good Point, But Not Without Flaws
Sports Illustrated Will Run Edgy Domestic Violence Ad Ahead Of Super Bowl: “The ad, created by the progressive advocacy group Ultraviolet, includes a dramatic video of a uniformed football player tackling a woman without a helmet. The video notes that 55 domestic abuse cases in the NFL have gone unanswered under the leadership of league commissioner Roger Goodell, and it ends with the hashtag ‘#GOODELLMUSTGO’”…Read more
NFL Player Junior Galette Arrested for Domestic Violence and Battery
Domestic Violence Assault Charges Against U.S. Soccer Star Hope Solo Dismissed: "At a hearing last week, the judge renewed an order for a deposition after Solo's nephew and half-sister failed to appear for interviews...In court documents, Solo said she was defending herself against her nephew, who is 6-foot-9 and weighs 280 pounds. She claims she was hit over the head with a broom handle. Solo's relatives claimed she attacked first"...Read more
Bar Owner Apologizes For Sign Supporting Domestic Violence

Sexual Assault

Detroit Tries Charity to Test Backlogged Rape Kits: "The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, which discovered 11,000 untested rape kits in a Detroit police storage unit five years ago, announced Tuesday that it has teamed up with two nonprofits to raise $10 million to pay for the testing, investigation and prosecution of those unsolved rape cases"...Read more...Read related article: 100 Serial Rapists Identified after Rape Kits from Detroit Crime Lab are Finally Processed
Storyline: How Survivors of Sexual Assault Tell Their Children: "'But as I got older and a little wiser, I changed my perspective. I thought, 'How empowering it can be for them to know the kind of resiliency that is within them. Here I am. Their mom. I got married. I own a home. I got a Master's degree. I teach at a college, and I have a full-time career. I did all these things. Despite what happened'"...Read more
He Was Abused by a Female Teacher, But He Was Treated like the Perpetrator: "Cameron Clarkson was a 16-year-old football player when he suddenly landed in the middle of a sex crime investigation at his St. Paul, Minn., high school. Lawyers grilled him on the details of his sexual history. School officials, in a statement to the press, cited him for not invoking the school’s sexual harassment policy...Gail Gagne, a 25-year-old basketball and lacrosse coach, was a full-time substitute teacher at Cretin-Derham Hall High School and a couple of months away from becoming a regular physical education instructor...Gagne was fired and charged with two felony counts of criminal sexual conduct with a student. But in the investigations that followed, Clarkson was treated more like the perpetrator than the victim. Gagne, meanwhile, faced an easier path in some ways"...Read more
England Just Established "Yes Means Yes" Guidelines for Police Investigating Rape
Uber Safety Checklist Created After Sexual Assault Incidents: "Uber drivers have been in Chicago and Boston have been charged with raping a female customer since December; so far the 'safe ride checklist' is only available in these two cities"...Read more
NBC Cuts Ties with Bill Cosby amid Sexual Assault Allegations

Campus Sexual Assault

Male Victims Of Campus Sexual Assault Speak Out: “It was Andrew's sixth night of freshman year at Brown University when he was assaulted by a male student in his dorm bathroom. When Andrew brought on-campus charges, his assailant was expelled. Unlike myriad students who report mishandled cases in the burgeoning national campaign against sexual assault, Andrew initially believed his case was handled appropriately. But after The Huffington Post discovered Andrew’s assailant had previously been found responsible for assaulting two other students and had not been expelled, Andrew was devastated. Andrew has decided to share his story in hopes that victims of assault -- and specifically male victims -- be taken more seriously…‘There are a lot of male survivors who haven’t found someone they can relate to,’ he said. ‘I want to break the silence, and I want other men to know that they’re not alone’”…Read more

The Downside of the Vanderbilt Rape Convictions: "Two former Vanderbilt University football players were convicted yesterday of raping a fellow student back in 2013. While it was a rare win for justice in such cases, it nonetheless highlights the many ways the system is stacked against victims. It was a muted victory, as those in sexual violence cases tend to be. You hope it gives the victim some semblance of healing, but we should also remember all those who didn't get their day in court. After the jury handed down guilty verdicts for 16 felonies, including aggravated rape and sexual battery, the now-21-year-old woman issued a statement to those who have endured similar ordeals: 'You are not alone. You are not to blame.' One detective working the case called her, 'one of the strongest women I've ever met.' Yet it was no surprise that some sports commentators tried to steer the conversation toward sympathy for the attackers"...Read more
How Faculty Can Use Syllabi to Reduce the Campus Sexual Assault Epidemic: "By taking the simple measures of incorporating Title IX language into syllabi and giving students the names and numbers of the primary campus resources, educators can do their part to provide support for victims and help end the epidemic of campus sexual violence"...Read more

Two New Documentaries Will Highlight Student Activism Against Campus Sexual Assault: "On Wednesday, Pivot, the TV network for Participant Media, will release 'It Happened Here,' a documentary by Emmy Award winner Lisa F. Jackson. The film follows women from Amherst College, Vanderbilt University and the University of Connecticut who went public about how their schools mishandled their sexual assault cases. Starting in February, 'It Happened Here' will screen on a number of college campuses as part of the White House's It's On Us campaign, launched last year to combat college sexual assault...Another documentary on the subject, 'The Hunting Ground,' will premiere later this week at the Sundance Film Festival…'The Hunting Ground' is set to debut in theaters and in a broadcast on CNN sometime in 2015"...Read more
States Want More Campus Rape Reports Sent To Police, But Survivors Feel Differently: “The New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault likes proposals such as Cuomo's that would make sure options are laid out to victims, but is strongly against the bill offered in New Jersey that would require colleges to tell law enforcement of sexual assault reports. ‘Why, once someone enrolls in one of our colleges or universities, should they lose their right to make decisions about how to proceed after such a violent crime was committed against them?’ asked Patricia Teffenhart, executive director of NJCASA. ‘Why are the rights of college survivors trumped by our desire to hold institutions and offenders accountable?’”…Read more
If Colleges Want To Regain Trust On Sexual Assault, 'It Starts With Transparency': "'People get confused when we talk about campus sexual assault -- yes, it's a potentially criminal act, but it's also a civil rights infraction. That's where Title IX comes in,' said Lisa Maatz, the top policy adviser at the American Association of University Women. 'We're not asking universities to be detectives and judge and jury to deprive someone of their liberty and send them to jail. What they must do is ensure an equal and equitable learning environment for men and women'"...Read more
These Are The Colleges And Universities Now Under Federal Investigation For Botching Rape Cases

Children & Youth

[WI] Pittsville Students Use Social Media to Pay It Forward: "The entire Pittsville High School student body was not in school for a few hours Wednesday morning...Students and staff members decided to pay forward acts of kindness through volunteering, then post photos and comments on social media accounts"...Read more

Teen Girls Report Less Sexual Victimization after Virtual Reality Assertiveness Training: "'Research has shown that skills are more likely to generalize if they are practiced in a realistic environment, so we used virtual reality to increase the realism.' The training program, called 'My Voice, My Choice,' emphasizes that victims do not invite sexual violence and that they have the right to stand up for themselves because violent or coercive behavior is never OK...She cautioned, however, that the research is preliminary and based on a small sample: 42 in the 'My Voice, My Choice' condition and 36 in a control condition. Future research is needed to establish the benefits of the program across different age groups and populations, for example, college versus high school students"...Read more
How Girls Are Seeking (and Subverting) Approval Online: "For some -- especially girls -- what starts as a fun way to document and share experiences can turn into an obsession about approval that can wreak havoc on self-image... A new countermovement -- call it the 'ugly selfie' trend -- is prompting girls to share their true selves and accept (and even challenge) whatever feedback they receive"...Read more
Interrupting Cycle of Violence before Young Perpetrators and Their Victims Reach Adulthood: "Evidence suggests that the drivers of gender-based violence among adolescents are similar to those identified for adults. In addition to exposure to violence as a child and prior victimization, bullying and homophobic teasing, poor parental practices, harmful alcohol and substance use, unequal social norms that condone gender-based violence, lack of female empowerment, controlling male behavior, as well as laws and policies that perpetuate gender inequality are risk factors"...Read more
AP: At Least 786 Kids Die of Abuse or Neglect under Watch of Child Protective Services: "Most of the 786 children whose cases were compiled by the AP were under the age of 4. They lost their lives even as authorities were investigating their families or providing some form of protective services because of previous instances of neglect, violence or other troubles in the home...The AP reviewed thousands of pages of official reports, child fatality records and police documents for the period in question, which ran from fiscal year 2008 through 2013"...Read more

Miscellaneous

Celebrating MLK Day: Reclaiming Our Movement Legacy: "Dr. King nurtured visions of a movement that could restore a deep and abiding love for all of humanity; a world where the restoration of democracy and full citizenship, of an economic system that could provide for everyone, and an end to war and militarization. Dr. King's dream tackled poverty and systemic inequality. Ultimately his vision was a society with human rights for all"...Read more...Read related article: 11 Black American Icons You Won't Learn About On MLK Jr. Day — But Should
How White Americans Lose When They Don’t Stand Up for Racial Justice (and 4 Ways They Can Counter Racism Instead)
In Preventing Trans Suicides, 'We Have Such A Long Way To Go': "A recent study from UCLA found that 41 percent of transgender people in the survey had attempted suicide — nearly nine times the national average. That's why Greta Martela founded Trans Lifeline, a suicide hotline for trans people, run by transgender volunteers...Trans Lifeline launched in September and it's already getting around 60 calls a day. Alcorn's case hit home, Martela says"...Read more
NO MORE: 10 Reasons We're Excited for 2015: "We begin the year with a message of hope: 2014 was the year a new national conversation surrounding sexual assault and domestic violence began, and together we’re working to sustain and gain even more momentum as we head into ‘15. It was hard to select from so many, but here’s just ten of the many incredibly empowering takeaways, big and small, from the past twelve months"...Read more

'This Girl Can' Reminds Women That Healthy Bodies And 'Perfect' Bodies Are Not The Same Thing: "Sport England, an organization providing services and funding to sports programs in the UK, launched the ‘This Girl Can’ campaign on Jan. 12 after research showed that 75 percent of English women would like to be more active...The 90-second ad shows women of all body types participating in their favorite sports -- without any concern for what they look like. Phrases like 'I jiggle, therefore I am' are interspersed with shots of women working out -- cellulite, smudged makeup, sweat patches and all. None of the women featured in the ad are models or professional athletes, reinforcing the message that athletics are accessible to everyone"...Read more
Hollaback's New Sexual Harassment Video: "Seeing Isn't Always Believing" is the third video in a new series to raise awareness and end street harassment worldwide. Watch the video and read more about it here.

Proof Tabloids Represent Men And Women Very Differently: "In the video 'The Experiment,' writer Kate Hardie and lighting technician Andy Lowe cut out pictures of men and women featured in the British tabloid The Sun, the UK's most widely read daily newspaper. Over the course of six months, Hardie and Lowe pasted all of these photos to a wall, placing images of women on one side and men on the other. The results show the stark contrast between how women are represented and how men are"...Read more

Local News

Students Learn About Healthy Relationships [from Hope House]...Check out this information on the school district newsletter too
Michael Traxler, 28, of Westfield, was charged with felony counts of second-degree sexual assault of a child and repeated sexual assault of the same child...Read more
Terry Brace, 73, of Columbus, pleaded no contest to felony repeated sexual assault of the same child...Read more
Sotero Rodriguez, 68, of North Freedom, sentenced to 17 years of prison for sexually assaulting a young girl on multiple occasions in 2013...Read more
Former U.S. airman Eric Popaeko, sentenced to three years in prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting a 14-year-old Reedsburg boy that he met online...Read more
Cody Russell, 21, of Arlington, faces a felony charge stemming for physically abusing a 10-month-old baby boy...Read more

Parents' & Youth Service Providers' Section
Grief In The Classroom: 'Saying Nothing Says A Lot': "A new website — GrievingStudents.org — is trying to help teachers and school leaders answer that question. It's a database of fact sheets, advice and videos. The materials were produced by the Coalition to Support Grieving Students, a group including 10 national organizations that represent teachers, school administrators and support staff"...Read more

Call Out Sexist Ads This Super Bowl Sunday: “[The Representation Project is] inviting you to live tweet the Super Bowl with us and our partners, The 3% Conference. Tell advertisers whether their commercial was a fumble with #NotBuyingIt or a touchdown with #MediaWeLike. Together we can combat harmful stereotypes and demand better representation for all”…Check out the commercials here

Common Sense Media's 10 YouTube Channels for Girls (Completely Makeup- and Fashion-Free!) and 10 Awesome YouTube Channels for Boys (With No Violence, Explosions, or Macho Posturing)

KidSmartz™ Safety Dance Video Contest: "Would you like a chance win $10,000 for your school? Check out this contest from KidSmartz - our sister-program focusing on abduction prevention. The KidSmartz™ Safety Dance Video Contest offers educators a fun and novel way to help K -5 students engage with lessons about personal safety. Film your students dancing to the KidSmartz remix of the 80s hit song 'The Safety Dance.' One school from each of the four regions across the U.S. will be chosen to win. Each school may submit one video entry although K-5 students from multiple classes may perform together"...Click here to learn more.

Thatsnotcool.com Now on Tumblr: Thatsnotcool.com has created a Tumblr that uses gifs, pictures, and quotes to draw attention to common instances of digital dating abuse. Accessible, funny, and informative, this Tumblr is a great social media resource to share with the teens that you work with. Check it out here.

The "Real World" of Teen Dating Violence: "In this Research for the Real World seminar, Dr. Peggy C. Giordano shares preliminary findings from a longitudinal study on the nature of teen dating relationships and risk factors for dating violence. The findings challenge traditional assumptions about gender in early relationships and how youth deal with disagreement. Conflict around financial concerns, infidelity and time spent with peers are risk factors for violence among young adults. Dr. Giordano stresses that developing a more nuanced view of anger, control and communication around these areas can provide opportunities to change patterns of violence in relationships." Watch the recorded seminar here and read the research brief Teen Dating Violence: How Peers Can Affect Risk & Protective Factors.

Our Gender Revolution Campaign: "The Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence encourages you to engage young people, communities, and schools to promote gender equity as a way to prevent gender violence - relationship abuse, sexual harassment, sexual assault and other forms of violence - that disproportionately impacts girls and women, transgender, and people who are gender non-conforming. As part of February's National Teen Dating Violence Awareness & Prevention Month, an inter-generational partnership of youth and adults developed the Our Gender Revolution high school and middle school campaigns. Order free Our Gender Revolution Campaign materials (conversation guide, posters, brochures, stickers) by clicking here. Materials can also be downloaded. During the months of February-April, anyone who facilitates a conversation with youth or young adults (ages 14-25) and answers a brief survey will be randomly selected for a $100 incentive! Each month we will select up to 25 individuals to receive the incentive for a total of 75 winners. The more conversations you facilitate, the more chances you'll have to be selected! To be eligible for the incentive, facilitate a conversation with high school students and answer the Our Gender Revolution Conversation Guide Survey."

Faith Communities' Section
Community Resources Panel: Thanks to the nearly 40 people that attended the Community Resources Panel on January 21 at Trappers Turn Golf Club in Wisconsin Dells. Thanks also to the panelists from law enforcement, prosecution, healthcare, human services, advocacy, and a faith community who shared their expertise with us. This luncheon was part of a series. Stay tuned for information on the next luncheon on spiritual integrity.

Upcoming Free Webinars from the Faith Trust Institute: Upcoming webinar topics include addressing domestic violence in pre-marital counseling, talking with teens about social media, battered African-American women, the spiritual crisis of child victims of abuse, and addressing elder abuse. Click here to learn more and register.

Resources
Demand Better Media in 2015: "The Representation Project is thrilled to premiere our Demand Better Media in 2015 video. While we have a lot to celebrate, some things aren’t changing fast enough. We all – men and boys, women and girls – must combat harmful stereotypes and demand better representation in our media and culture at large"...Watch the video

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs' LGBTQ and HIV-Affected Intimate Partner Violence Report in 2013: "Although reports of violence remained consistent with those in 2012, NCAVP’s 2013 report documents 21 homicides, the highest number of LGBTQ intimate partner violence (IPV) homicides recorded and on par with the 21 homicides in 2012. These intimate partner violence homicides illustrate the severe and deadly impact of intimate partner violence in LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities. Within the 2013 intimate partner violence report, person level data indicates that gay men, LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities of color, LGBTQ youth and young adults, bisexual survivors, and transgender communities experienced the most severe forms of IPV. These findings continue to highlight the importance of IPV prevention, strategic and community-specific responses to IPV, and the need for research and accurate documentation of intimate partner violence in LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities"...Read the full report here

Reproductive and Sexual Coercion Toolkit: The Virginia Action Alliance has released a Reproductive and Sexual Coercion Toolkit with information on coercion, screening, trauma-informed care and resources specifically for home visitors and healthcare providers. View the toolkit here.

Human Trafficking Awareness Month (January 2015): In support of Human Trafficking Awareness Month, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) has resources for mental health professionals, law enforcement personnel, health care professionals, and survivors on the signs of trafficking and services for human trafficking survivors...Check out these related resources: NSVRC's Assisting Trafficking Victims Information Packet and National Human Trafficking Resource Center

Adult Sexual Assault: A Trauma Informed Approach: The Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board has created a new in-service/roll call training film for law enforcement and allied professionals. This two-part film provides an overview of how trauma impacts victims and how law enforcement first responders can implement a trauma informed response and approach to sexual assault survivors. To preview or share the film on YouTube, click here. To download the film, click here. To order a DVD of the film, click to email here.

Legal Issues Related to Elder Abuse: Guides for Law Enforcement: The American Bar Association has produced two new free publications: a pocket guide and a desk guide for law enforcement on legal issues related to elder abuse. Click here to learn more and to order or download a copy.

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July 2015 Community Education E-bulletin

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