How do stereotypes about masculinity affect not only boys and men in America, but also our society at large, and what actions can we all take to promote healthy masculinity? Join us to discuss this powerful question through a free screening of The Mask You Live In, a documentary by The Representation Project, sponsored by Hope House and the UW-Baraboo/Sauk County PRIDE Club. The trailer for the film can be viewed below. The screening and post-film discussion will be held Monday, December 5th from 4-6pm in the RG Brown Theater on the UW-Baraboo/Sauk County campus. All are welcome, but please note that the film contains mature topics (such as sex, violence, drugs, and alcohol). Common Sense Media recommends the film for ages 15 and older.
One lucky attendee will receive a $10 KwikTrip card! Questions can be directed to Nola Pastor at Hope House at 608-356-9123 or preventcoord@hopehousescw.org. We hope to see you there!

Around the holidays, people often ask what gift items they can donate to Hope House for the people we work with. Here is our holiday wish list:
- -For Children and Teens: board games, arts and craft supplies, pajamas, slippers, jewelry, candy or chocolate, sports balls, winter outdoor toys and activities, gloves or mittens, socks, family-friendly DVDs and toys
- -For Adults: area spa certificates, Walmart gift cards, gas cards, bathrobes, slippers, bath products, manicure/pedicure sets, coffee or tea, calendars or weekly planners, journals, gloves or mittens, socks and underwear
Has domestic violence or sexual abuse touched your life in some way? Do you seek connections with supportive individuals who have similar life experiences as you? Please join Hope House advocate Katie on the first and third Friday of the month for support group from 1-2pm at the Portage Library. For more information, call Hope House at 608-356-7500 or 1-800-584-6790.
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 the following; our most needed items are bolded:
- Bathrooms: Liquid hand soap, Full-size bottles of shampoo and conditioner, Full-size toothpaste and toothbrushes, Full-size bottles of body wash and shaving cream, Toilet bowl cleaner, Toilet paper, Deodorant, Disposable razors, Small garbage cans with bags, Nail clippers, Cleaning supplies such as Lysol disinfecting spray, Windex, and floor cleaner, Clorox wipes, Hairspray, Bleach, Bathroom rugs
- Kitchen: Paper towels, Ziploc bags, 13-Gallon garbage bags, Coffee, Blender, Strainer/Colander, Silverware, Tupperware, Dishwasher soap, Brush for cleaning bottles, Sip cups, Saran wrap, Aluminum foil
- Food and Beverages: Cereal, Fruit juice, Meat, Fresh fruit and vegetables, Yogurt, Cheese, Canned soup, Snack items (crackers, granola bars, etc.), Eggs, Milk, Coffee
- Laundry: Laundry detergent
- Clothing for Women and Kids: New socks, especially sizes 2T-4T, New women’s underwear, New medium-large size pajamas, New pajamas and clothes for kids 9-12 months, New sweatshirts and sweatpants
- Misc: Markers and glue sticks, Alarm clock, D batteries, Swiffer mop, New pillows, New full-sized fitted white sheets, Diapers (especially size 5) and pull-ups, Journals, Vacuum, Double stroller, Baby wipes, Band-Aids, Pocket-sized calendars, Baby bottles, Umbrellas, Exercise balls, 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
Sexual Assault
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10 Tips to Have an Informed Conversation about Domestic Violence: Check out the 10 tips from National Network to End Domestic Violence here.
- Conference Examines Role of Restorative Justice in Domestic Violence: “When it comes to using it in domestic violence cases, supporters say the practice provides direct victim-survivor involvement, accountability to a perpetrator and an alternative to the unilateral position that a woman in an abusive relationship should always leave. Critics say it could downplay the hurt and harm experienced by the victim and possibly re-victimize”…Read more
- Domestic Abuse Killings Climb as Murders Drop, Frustrating New York Officials
- National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women Helps Free Ramona Brant: “Ramona Brant will never forget what injustice means because she lived it by serving 21 years in prison. In 1995, after Ramona was arrested with her abusive boyfriend, a drug dealer, she was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. Even though there were a series of police reports that documented and there were family members who could testify about the violent abuse Ramona suffered from her boyfriend, the jury never heard a word about the abuse she endured, how she feared him, and how she was one of his victims, not a co-conspirator…NCDBW staff reached out to Ramona’s most recent attorneys and asked if they would work on her clemency petition. Working pro bono, they did an incredible job on her behalf that resulted in Ramona having her sentence commuted by President Obama”…Read more
- FIU's Jonnu Smith Out for Season after Suffering Multiple Burns: “Florida International senior tight end Jonnu Smith will miss the remainder of the season after police say his girlfriend poured boiling water on him, causing burns to multiple parts of his body. According to an arrest affidavit, Smith, an NFL draft prospect, suffered severe burns on his head, neck, back, a shoulder and an arm. Mary Gaspar has been charged with felony aggravated battery”…Read more
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Gender-Based Violence: Not Just About Gender: “This month, you will likely hear that 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence, but you may not hear that over 92 percent of homeless mothers have experienced severe physical and/or sexual abuse. You might hear that 1 in 5 women will become a victim of rape, but you may not hear that for women with disabilities, the risk is much higher — that 80 percent of women with disabilities have been sexually assaulted. You might hear about campus sexual assault, but you may not hear that lesbian, gay and bisexual students are three times more likely than their heterosexual peers to be sexually assaulted. You might hear that abusers often leverage immigration status against their victims, but you may not hear that 48 percent of Latinas report that their partners’ violence against them actually escalated after they came to the United States”…Read more
- Harvard Men's Soccer Season Canceled for Lewd 'Scouting Report': “Athletic director Robert L. Scalise wrote in an email to Harvard student-athletes that he decided to cancel the rest of the team's season because the practice, in which women were rated on their perceived sexual appeal and physical appearance, appeared ‘to be more widespread across the team and has continued beyond 2012, including in 2016’”…Read more
- Columbia Suspends Wrestling Team Over Lewd Texts: NYT: “Columbia made its decision after BWOG, a student news website, published several text messages last week dating back to 2014 between teammates that contained jokes about rape and the use of homophobic, racist and sexist slurs and comments”…Read more
- Hairdressers in Illinois Will Be Trained to Recognize Signs of Domestic Abuse, Sexual Assault: “Illinois has become the first state to pass a law requiring that licensed hairdressers receive training to recognize in their clients any evidence of domestic and sexual violence, according to a local news channel, WQAD. The law, which was signed by Governor Bruce Rauner in August and takes effect on Jan. 1, 2017, is unprecedented in the salon industry”…Read more
- Jeffrey M. Denman, 39, of Baraboo, charged with eight counts of possessing child pornography, pleaded no contest to one of those charges. The other seven were dismissed…Read more
- Heather B. Mead, 33, of New Lisbon, received two class A misdemeanors for neglecting a child after pleading no contest to both counts. Mead will receive two years probation and a fine of $465 for each offense…Read more
- Isaac J. Thomas, 32, of St. Paul, Minnesota, charged with felony second-degree sexual assault of an unconscious victim at a Wisconsin Dells campground…Read more
- Mistrial Granted in [Kevin] Kroener Sexual Assault of a Child Case
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- NSVRC’s Free Primary Prevention Primer (15 minutes): “This interactive learning tool introduces primary prevention through a set of activities to enhance knowledge about primary prevention. Information covered includes the Moving Upstream story, the Social Ecological Model, and an exploration of the differences between Risk Reduction and Primary Prevention”…Learn more
- The Blue Campaign: Combating Human Trafficking: "The Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign works to combat the heinous crime of human trafficking by raising awareness around the country. Created in 2010, the Blue Campaign works with law enforcement, government, non-government and private organizations to protect the basic right of freedom and bring those who exploit human lives to justice. The Blue Campaign provides free resources to educate and train professionals and the general public to recognize and report human trafficking. If you would like more information, click here."