"Strengths-based Support for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Abuse"
Please join us! Faith Leaders for Healthy Relationships and Hope House present "Strengths-based Support for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Abuse" by Julie Fisher, Associate Director at Hope House, on May 17 from 11:30 am - 1 pm at Trappers Turn in Wisconsin Dells.
Domestic violence and sexual assault are two of the most traumatic experiences a human can endure. Victims need to be heard, empowered, understood and supported in order to begin healing and moving forward. Strengths-based support begins with the understanding of the impact of trauma on an individual or family – and emphasizes survivor strengths, competencies, and adaptive capacities. We hope you will join us for lunch and will walk away with a deeper understanding of the impact of trauma and how to support those who have experienced it.
Register by May 12th to ensure your place at the luncheon. Please click here to order your ticket and reserve your seat! This is a secular workshop and discussion, and all are welcome to attend.
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, Body spray and makeup, 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: Laundry detergent, Dryer sheets, Fabric softener sheets
- Clothing for Women and Kids: Socks, Women’s underwear, Medium-Large size pajamas, New sweatshirts and sweatpants
- Misc: Diapers (especially sizes 4-6) and pull-ups, DVD or BluRay plaer, Vacuum, New white full/twin bed sheets, Double stroller, Baby wipes, Band-Aids, 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 and Research
Sexual Assault
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- When Domestic Violence Becomes A Workplace Issue: “The two deaths came in quick succession, shocking the close-knit community of health care workers at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center…St. Joseph is undergoing an ambitious effort to address domestic violence among its workforce, rolling out an intensive training program to help staff members identify — and hopefully prevent — domestic violence, as well as a new workplace policy to support employees who are suffering. The hospital partnered with Futures Without Violence, a nonprofit that has helped organizations across the country address how domestic violence hurts its workforce”…Read more
- Mississippi Fails To Add Domestic Violence As A Legal Reason For Divorce: “In Mississippi, a person can get a divorce if their spouse is a habitual drunk, commits adultery, has an incurable mental illness or is naturally impotent…As it currently stands, domestic violence is not among the 12 legal grounds for divorce in the state. A recent effort to rectify that died in the Mississippi state Senate last week…Wright said domestic violence victims trying to divorce abusive partners typically allege ‘habitual cruel and inhuman treatment,’ which is among the current legal grounds for divorce. But that can be hard to prove unless the abuse was physical and ongoing, he said. Subtle types of abuse, like emotional, verbal and economic, are much more difficult to demonstrate”…Read more
- Survivors Motivated By $40 Million Domestic Violence Judgement: [Note: graphic image and description of abuse] “Survivor Maria Escamilla was awarded $40 million in a decision that domestic violence experts are calling monumental…But there are risks for women who file civil cases. Many of the men they sue won’t have more money than the cost of a lawyer. There are also concerns in some rare cases it could provoke a backlash from an abuser”…Read more
Children and Youth
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Miscellaneous News
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- Daniel Coughlin, 53, of Lyndon Station, sentenced to six years in state prison after being convicted of first and second degree sexual assault of a child…Read more
- Kevin Karl Krueger, 51, of Portage, charged with first-degree intentional homicide, entered a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity or mental deficiency…Read more
- A state appeals court ruled that it would be double jeopardy to retry Russell Troka, of Lyndon Station, for attempted homicide and other offenses stemming from an alleged 2013 attack on his wife…Read more
- Levi Ramone Dacorah Kearney, 20, of Portage, given a deferred prosecution and placed on four years’ probation on July 29 after entering a plea of no contest to charges of second-degree sexual assault of a child and fourth-degree sexual assault…Read more
- Samuel Terwall, 18, of Reedsburg, faces two counts of sexual assault of a child under 16…Read more
- Robert Reick, 29, of Portage, appeared in court on Oct. 19 charged with burglary and second-degree sexual assault with use of force. The criminal case ended with a plea agreement…Read more
- Alexander Kluball, 25, of Reedsburg, who brought a teenage girl from Tennessee last year to work as a prostitute was sentenced Tuesday in federal court to 10 years in prison for transporting an individual to engage in commercial sex…Read more
- “Juneau County Sheriff's Department Detective Tim Andres has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into a possible domestic disturbance with his wife”…Read more
- We Can Teach Kids About Consent Without Bringing Sex Into the Conversation: “Though we often think about consent in terms of sexual assault, the truth is that it is an essential aspect of all interpersonal relationships. People have the right to set boundaries about their bodies, their possessions, and their actions, and we need to respect those boundaries. By framing consent in this way for kids, we’re laying the groundwork they will need to navigate situations in the future, including and beyond sexual interactions”…Read more
- Preventing Sex Abuse in Schools: The Healthy Sexual Climate: “This past week, Dr. Janet Rosenzweig, our Vice-President of Programs and Services, was asked to be a source for a Washington Post article describing a series of sexual abuse cases in a suburban Washington, D.C. school district. The investigative work of reporters to keep these issues in the public ‘spotlight’ and to hold school officials accountable is critical. But since April is Child Abuse Prevention month, Janet couldn’t let the opportunity pass without sharing with adults everywhere some steps they might take to help reduce the chances of a similar case happening in their district. How? We can start by understanding the concept of ‘sexual climate’ in a school”…Read more
- 9 Ways to Introduce Students to Random Acts of Kindness: “At school, the RAOK project crosses the curriculum and offers lessons in social studies and current events, math (the students graph different RAOK types), writing, and speaking (they give class presentations using the Haiku Deck app). But the benefits the project brings to students’ character and sense of self is the real reward…Here are his nine tips for starting it in your classroom or school”…Read more
- 7 Things to Do When Your Kid Points Out Someone’s Differences: “Instead of shushing children for stating the obvious, that the person (or family) in front of them is appears different, parents can do the following: 1. Apologize. When your child behaves rudely, apologize on the child’s behalf, immediately and without excuse. Try something like: ‘I’m sorry my child spoke rudely. He is curious about your son and didn’t respond appropriately’”…Read more
Faith Communities Section
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Webinar on May 25 from 1-2 pm: Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect to Create a World Where Every Child Can Thrive: "This webinar will highlight the CDC's Essentials for Childhood framework, which is intended for use by communities committed to the positive development of children and families and specifically to the prevention of child abuse and neglect." Click here to register.
- Access New Resources on Adverse Childhood Experiences for National Child Abuse Prevention Month: “Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic events that impact lifelong health and opportunity. ACEs have been linked to risky behaviors, chronic health conditions, educational and employment challenges, and early death. CDC is committed to preventing ACEs before they happen. The new ACE resources available at CDC.gov will help your community better understand ACEs, their health impact, and strategies for prevention”…View the resources
- We Believe You Coloring Book: Download and print the We Believe You coloring “book for survivors and supporters is an initiative of the Office of Sexual Violence Support and Education at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada. Team members: Farrah Khan, Tesni Ellis, and Kirsty Pazek-Smith. You are free to print and share the colouring book with loved ones.”