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	Empowering Our Community
Volume III, Issue 3		January 2004

[ Tickets Available for Charity Ball | Clergy and Human Service Providers in Dialogue |
CIS Unveils Silent Witness Display | Workshop Available for Parents of Teens | Disarming Domestic Violence Abusers, Report | Christmas Adopt-a-Family Program |
Recruits Needed for CIS Board of Directors | Nicholson V. Scoppetta Update | Financial Support Needed for 2004 | Would You Recognize Stalking? | WPU Hosts No Witness | Stamp Out Domestic Violence | ADVOCACY TRAINING COMING SOON | Crisis Resources Available On-Line |
Shelter Sports New Curtains ]

Don't forget to read the Press Releases

Tickets Available Soon for 2004 Charity Ball

Tickets for the 2004 Vintage Charity Ball & Auction will be available by the end of January. The fundraising committee is hard at work planning the fourth annual Vintage Charity Ball, which has grown into one of CIS’s most-talked-about fundraising events. The ball is scheduled for Saturday, March 13, at Elmhurst Country Club. With just under 100 people attending last year, the CIS Vintage Charity Ball & Auction has become one of Oskaloosa’s premier social events.

The fundraising committee is in the process of designing the tickets and gathering auction items. They already have a commitment for an original piece from local artist John Jannenga and another print of the Oskaloosa bandstand from Alan Adams Photography. Seating is limited, so you’ll want to get yours early. Part of the fun of the Vintage Charity Ball & Auction is dressing up. Dress is formal or vintage, with vintage drawing a wide definition. Some people attend the ball in medieval costumes, others in 1970s leisure suits. Tickets are $35 for a single ticket or $30 each when purchased in sets of two or more.

The ball begins with a social hour featuring hors d’oevres and open bar at 6 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner of Southwest chicken and roast beef at 7 p.m. Dancing with JR Sound Company as deejay begins at 8:30 p.m., with bidding on auction items ending at approximately 10 p.m. Get your tickets from any CIS board member, at the CIS office, or at the Oskaloosa Doty Computers.

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CIS Unveils Silent Witness Display

The Oskaloosa Junior High 7th Grade Industrial Technology Class made CIS their own Silent Witness Display for local awareness events. The display features free-standing, life-sized silhouettes that remind us of the many women, children, and men in Iowa who have lost their lives as a result of domestic abuse.

The display was unveiled on October 1, the first day of the National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, at the CIS Open House. The display traveled to hospitals, courthouses, and public libraries in Eddyville, Keota, Oskaloosa, New Sharon, Sigourney, and What Cheer throughout the month. The display was also at the William Penn University Student Union during their Finding Your Voice week. People who viewed the display said that it was a powerful reminder of the effects of abuse on all of us — as friends, neighbors, coworkers, and family members of those who are victims of abuse. Please contact the CIS office to schedule the display at a local event.

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Disarming Domestic Violence Abusers: Report Shows Tragic Cost of Legal Loopholes That Enable Abusers to Have Guns

A new study by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence united with the Million Mom March provides a roadmap for closing the loopholes that allow domestic violence abusers to purchase or possess firearms. Firearms are the most common weapons used by males to murder females and often the perpetrator kills more than one person; other victims include children, mediators, and bystanders. In 2000, 58% of female homicide victims were killed with a firearm. Federal law prohibits domestic violence abusers subject to restraining orders or convicted of domestic violence from owning guns. The system breaks down, however, when states fail to identify and disarm domestic violence offenders. Without state action to close the dangerous loopholes, the report states, domestic violence abusers will continue to illegally purchase and possess firearms, putting women and children at grave risk. “Disarming Domestic Violence Abusers is a powerful resource for state policy makers, public safety advocates, and citizens who want to learn how well their state is protecting families by preventing domestic violence abusers from obtaining firearms,” said Michael Barnes, President of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence United with the Million Mom March. The report highlights six preventative measures to keep guns out of the hands of domestic violence offenders and examines what actions each state has taken to disarm domestic violence abusers.

Those preventative measures include:

• Restraining orders must clearly prohibit gun possession and be added to state and national databases used to conduct background checks on gun sales
• Abusers found guilty of domestic violence misdemeanors must be prohibited from possessing firearms and added to state and national databases used to conduct background checks on gun sales
• Police must remove firearms from the scenes of domestic violence
• Judges and state authorities must be granted authority, and use it, to identify and disarm abusers who already possess firearms
• Abusers must be stopped from buying additional guns by ensuring that background checks are done on every firearms transfer, including gun shows and other venues
• Funding and adequate resources must be provided for strong enforcement of these efforts to safeguard victims and their families from abusers with firearms
  

The tragic consequences of loopholes in domestic violence and gun laws was chillingly demonstrated by the case of Simon Gonzales in Colorado. Because of his violent outbursts, Gonzales’ ex-wife obtained a restraining order that prohibited him from buying a gun. But Colorado only listed the restraining order in the states database while requiring that gun buyer background checks be performed only against the federal database. Since the restraining order was not forwarded to the federal database, Gonzales was able to purchase a gun and within hours he killed his three young daughters, Leslie, Kathryn and Rebecca. Colorado has now closed this loophole by requiring a check of both state and federal databases before a gun can be sold. Every state should learn from the tragic case in Colorado, and close these dangerous loopholes before more women and children and killed by domestic abusers armed with guns.

Reprinted from www.bradycampaign.org

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Recruits Needed for CIS Board of Directors

WANTED: People with the desire to help others in need and with one evening a month free to attend a monthly meeting. The CIS Board of Directors is in need of new members and would like to recruit YOU, if you have the above qualifications. What you get in return for joining our board is chance to make a difference in the lives of abuse and rape victims, a chance to work with other people dedicated to the task of making the world a better place for less fortunate people to live, an opportunity to work with other community organizations in furthering our purposes, and a chance to provide temporary housing for the homeless people in our community. CIS is growing and needs your help!!! CIS Board Members are asked to serve three year terms and to actively serve on one committee. The committees most in need of members include Fundraising, Human Resources, and Buildings & Grounds.

If you are interested in helping, please contact the CIS office at 673-0336 or go to www.cismc.org for an application.

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WPU Hosts No Witness

William Penn University hosted a sexual assault mock trial during the Finding Your Voice week in October. Scott Steel, the performing arts instructor, and a group of his students put together and performed No Witness, a mock trial of a realistic sexual assault. The trial was open to students and faculty at the University as well as the public and was attended by over 200 people. The play raised over $200, which was donated to Crisis Intervention Services.

The trial was about a young woman and her boyfriend having intercourse and whether or not the intercourse was consensual or not. They had been at a party where she had several drinks and then they went to the defendants place. The victim says that he forced her to have intercourse. The defendant says that she wanted it. Twelve audience members were selected to be on the jury. This was a good idea in that several people of different ages, genders, ethnicities, etc. were chosen to participate. After the trial was over the host of the play had the jury exit to deliberate the verdict. While the jury members were out, the host gave the audience time to discuss the verdict.

Randy DeGeest, a local attorney, and one of the district judges, James Blomgren, were present at the trial one of the evenings to ask any questions the audience had and to give their opinion of the trial. A lot of discussion focused on the word “don’t” and whether its meaning was clear enough. The victim had said “don’t” three times during the assault. A lot of audience members thought that “don’t” is not the same as “stop”. Or they said that “don’t” could have meant “don’t stop”. Randy DeGeest stated that “don’t” is the same thing as “DO NOT” which means “DO NOT DO IT”. Another hotly debated topic was the fact that the victim walked home after the alleged rape. Many thought that if she were so drunk that she could not give consent, she would not have been able to walk home. Are drunk drivers not really drunk, because they are able to drive? If someone is under the influence of a substance, including alcohol, they are not able to give consent according to the Iowa Code. If they are forced to have sex while under the influence of alcohol or another substance it is rape.

This trial was a good example of the fact that victims get blamed and shamed a lot after an assault. Is it any wonder that most sexual assaults are not reported? Very few audience members focused on the alleged perpetrator as the one who did something wrong. What about his behavior? Why is the victim blamed for her own assault? Why can’t he be expected to not take advantage of someone when he is on top of her and she says “don’t” three times? If he is unclear of what “don’t” means, is it not his responsibility to clarify before he proceeds? Sexual assault and domestic abuse victims are the ONLY crime victims in the United States who are expected to “prove” that they were truly victimized. We don’t require “proof” that robbery victims did everything they could, such as say “NO,” to prevent being robbed. This play was a great representation of what a sexual assault trial is like and the students did a wonderful job. We know that sexual assault is a very difficult and emotional topic, but it is imperative that we talk about it. Otherwise, victims of sexual assault will still be blamed and shamed in 20 more years.

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Nicholson V. Scoppetta Update

Advocates for women and children affected by abuse are praising the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit’s ruling in the case of Nicholson v. Scoppetta. The September ruling affirms key portions of the lower court’s ruling, holding that the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) policy of charging victims with exposing their children to domestic violence and removing the children from their mothers on that basis did require judicial intervention.

“We are very happy with the Second Circuit’s Decision. The confirmation that ACS had a practice of precipitously removing kids and charging battered moms with neglect is gratifying,” said Jill Zuccardy, a lawyer for the women who brought the lawsuit.

The women sued ACS for violating their constitutional rights, and those of their children, by removing the children from their mothers simply because the mothers were victims of domestic violence. The case was first heard in 2001 in federal court in Brooklyn. Judge Jack B. Weinstein ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, issuing an injunction ordering ACS to stop its policy of removing children from mothers simply because the mothers are abused. Judge Weinstein also ordered ACS to adopt policies that will better serve families experiencing violence. The state appealed the judge’s decision to the Second Circuit.
But while Judge Weinstein ruled that ACS did violate the constitutional rights of the women and their children with its removal policy, the Second Circuit did not rule on the policy’s constitutionality. Instead, the Second Circuit sought the review of the New York State Court of Appeals, the highest court in the state, and sent the high court three certified questions. The questions explore the affects of witnessing domestic violence on children, the definition of child abuse under New York law, and whether witnessing abuse is sufficient for the removal of a child under state law.

“With regard to the certification, the means that the state Court of Appeals will have the benefit of the Nicholson record, the testimony of 44 witnesses, including nearly a dozen experts, hundreds of documents, and the decisions of the federal court in deciding important issues related to child welfare and domestic violence,” continued Zuccardy.

The Second Circuit will not rule on the constitutionality of the ACS policy until the high court reviews the certified questions. In the meantime, the injunction issued by Judge Weinstein that requires ACS to stop its policy of removing children from their mothers solely because they are the victims of domestic violence remains in effect. The Second Circuit’s ruling is available online through its website, www.ca2.uscourts.gov.

Reprinted from the October 24, 2003 News Flash of the Family Violence Prevention Fund (www.fvpf.org)

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Stamp Out Domestic Violence

The United States Postal Service has unveiled the design for a new stamp dedicated to help the national fight against domestic violence. The price for the stamp is $.045. The difference between the stales price of the stamp and the underlying postage will consist of a tax-deductible contribution. “The Stop Family Violence semi-postal will allow every American to contribute to a nationwide fight against domestic violence,” said Donna Peak, Vice President, Finance Controller for the Postal Service, who unveiled the stamp. “By using this stamp on cards and letters, our customers will also have an opportunity to bring before the public eye a problem that is too often ignored.” The stamp was drawn by a young girl who expresses the pain and sadness caused by domestic violence. The work was photographed and made into the stamp. “The effects of domestic violence are felt regardless of age, race or economic status. In 1999, according to a report issued by the United States Bureau of Justice Statistics more than 790,000 crimes of intimate violence were committed and women accounted for 85% of the victims. Such cases cost the nation billions of dollars annually in medical expenses, police and court costs, shelters and foster care, sick leave and absenteeism. Nonprofit studies suggest children who witness domestic violence are more apt to develop physical and behavioral problems including depression, anxiety and violence toward peers. They are also more likely to attempt suicide, abuse alcohol or drugs, or run away from home.”

If you would like more information regarding the Stop Family Violence Stamp you can call: 1-800-STAMP-24 or you can go on-line at www.usps.com.

Reprinted from the USPS News Release

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Financial Support Needed for 2004

A woman came to our office to request assistance with a protective order. She was terrified of her husband who had threatened and attempted to kill her numerous times in their 15-year marriage. She was so terrified that her hands were visibly shaking and she could not even fill out the necessary forms. After filing for the temporary order, the woman went into hiding for safety. The abuser was determined that she would not leave him. He even came to the CIS office and drove by the shelter numerous times daily during the two weeks before the hearing. When the day of court arrived, the abuser violated the order by grabbing her in the courtroom and demanding that she not go further with the proceeding. Our advocate removed his hands from her and told him that he was violating a court order. The woman began to have a panic attack and ran from the courtroom into the judge’s chambers, followed by the advocate. The woman was unable to calm down so the hearing was rescheduled for the following week. Legal Services was contacted as the woman realized that she would be too upset to represent herself at the next proceeding and they agreed to represent her. The sheriff’s department provided a deputy for security during the hearing. As a result of our support, the woman was granted the protective order including her request to keep his guns away from him. We believe that without the protective order the woman’s life was definitely in danger.

This is just one of the many situations that Crisis Intervention Services helps with each year. Sure, people can request their own restraining orders, but as in the case described here, sometimes it is too overwhelming to even know where to begin. How do you leave someone when you are afraid for your life and he’s so determined to not have you leave him that he will attack you in front of a judge?

In this situation, CIS provided safe shelter, court advocacy and assistance in obtaining other services this woman needed. With CIS’s support, she was finally able to safely leave an extremely violent and traumatic relationship to start her life over.

This past year, CIS began offering financial counseling to our clients. In times where state and federal funds are short, CIS has been able to continue with its progressive outreach mainly due to the wonderful support of our community. Even facing cuts of $60,000 to $70,000 this past year, we were able to continue without loss of services through donations from community members like you. With your continued help, we can continue to provide Mahaska and Keokuk counties with the services that are so desperately needed - programs like shelter, counseling for rape victims, support groups for people fleeing domestic abuse, court advocacy for victims of sexual assault and domestic abuse, children’s programs, and educational seminars in schools to teach teenagers how to recognize abusive behavior.

Your tax-deductible donation can help keep this important resource in our community.

Your $25 donation provides:
    A manual to train a volunteer to staff the shelter’s 24-hour crisis line
    One hour of counseling for someone in trouble

Your $50 donation provides:
    Transportation services for a week to shuttle shelter residents to doctors appointments, grocery shopping, job seeking, etc.
    One month of program materials for children in shelter

Your $100 donation provides:
    One educational seminar at a high school or college
    Utility assistance to someone in need

Your $250 donation provides:
    One week of safe shelter for a woman fleeing an abuser
    Two weeks’ utility bills at the shelter
    One month of crisis line services at the shelter

Use the envelope provided in this newsletter to mail your tax-deductible contribution today. The CIS Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and most importantly, clients, thank you for your continued support.

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Workshop Available for Parents of Teens

In response to growing concerns about dating violence and date rape among our teenagers, CIS is developing a workshop for parents of teenagers. This workshop will be provided at no cost during the National Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April 2004. We will provide information on the prevalence of these crimes nationally and locally, abuse indicators to look for in your teenagers relationships, and important prevention topics to discuss with your children. Some of the information presented was taken from the Liz Claiborne website www.loveisnotabuse.com. Liz Claiborne has dedicated many resources to ending relationship violence for adults and teenagers. If you are interested in attending this workshop, please call the CIS office.

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Would You Recognize Stalking?

Most of us have heard about someone being stalked — either someone we know or a celebrity. But if it were happening to us, would we know what to do? Stalking is defined as repeated acts of harassing or threatening behavior such as following someone, leaving threatening calls, or vandalizing property.
In 1998, a National Violence Against Women Survey reported that one in 12 women and one in 45 men have been stalked at some time in their lives; the majority of stalking victims are between the ages of 18-39, only 23% of female victims and 36% of male victims were stalked by strangers. Many female victims (38%) were stalked by current or former husbands, 10% by current or former cohabitating partners, and 14% by current or former boyfriends.

There is no single profile for a stalker. However, according to the Office for Victims of Crime (www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/welcome.html), the majority are young to middle-aged men with above average intelligence. The most prevalent form of stalking involves a previous relationship between the stalker and the victim. Other stalkers develop an obsession for someone with whom they have no relationship.

Stalkers who evolve from domestic violence situations are, without a doubt, the most lethal type of stalker. Controlling behaviors often escalate when stalkers do not get what they want from their victims. Their self-esteem is dependent upon getting the victim’s attention and their greatest fear is rejection or lack of compliance.

If you are being stalked, report it to the police. Document every incident, keep all evidence including video and audio tapes, photos of damage, letters, notes, gifts, and affidavits from any witnesses. Keep a journal detailing the dates, times, and descriptions of the incidents.

Victim advocates at CIS can talk with you about the physical, emotional, and financial changes you may experience. They can provide support during court proceedings and assist you with a crime victim compensation application that can reimburse certain expenses including lost wages.

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ADVOCACY TRAINING COMING SOON

Crisis Intervention Services has made changes to its volunteer training program. We are hopeful that these changes will increase the number of people who attend advocacy training while decreasing the amount of resources we put into the training events. All staff and volunteers are required to attend a 24-hour Level I Advocacy Training to provide direct services. But this training is also very informative and useful for anyone, even if they are not interested in volunteering with CIS, and it has always been open to the public.

Now, CIS has partnered with the Ottumwa Crisis Center & Women’s Shelter and Turning Point in Knoxville to provide a collaborative advocacy training three times annually—once in each of our respective communities.
The training will cost $20 per person, but scholarships are available. We will offer CEU’s for the advocacy training so that area professionals can increase their knowledge of victimization issues. The first training will be held in Oskaloosa on February 6, 13, and 20 from 8-5, with an hour for lunch. Please consider attending this training and volunteering with us!!

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Christmas Adopt-a-Family Program

Are you feeling fortunate with all that you have been blessed with this year? Would you like to give a small something to someone in need? Unemployment has risen, jobs are more difficult to find, and it is going to be difficult for many families to provide necessary winter clothing and Christmas gifts for their children this year.

Crisis Intervention Services, like other local human service agencies, is seeing an increase in the number of families asking for help and they began asking earlier in the year than usual.

Each year, CIS provides gifts for over 50 families who have suffered from physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.

If you would like to adopt-a-family with CIS, please call us right away! We can provide you a small wish list and clothing sizes for a specific child or an entire family. Thanks to United Way providing NAIER items, we can even wrap the gifts for you! Or, if you donate $20, we can get the gift for you. Thank you in advance for helping those in need.

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Crisis Resources Available On-Line

• Family Violence Prevention Fund, www.endabuse.org, covers issues on children, health, immigrant workers, international, judicial, public education, public policy, and the work place. It provides many other links as well.
• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, www.ncadv.org, provides numerous links to sites that covers topics relating to domestic violence.
• Stalking Resource Center, www.ncvc.org/src/, provides information on stalking and links to other sites.
• Teen Victim Project, www.ncvc.org/tvp/, contains information on assault, bullying, child sexual assault, dating violence, robbery, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking.
• National Youth Violence Prevention Resource, www.safeyouth.org, a gateway to resources for professionals, parents, youth, and individuals working to prevent and end violence committed by and against young people.
• Safe Place School Based Services/li>
• The Rural Womyn Zone, www.ruralwomyn.net, information and resources for rural women and organizations serving rural areas.
• Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, www.icadv.org, provides information about services and activities for survivors and concerned citizens throughout the state
• Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault, www.iowacasa.org, provides information for survivors and concerned citizens throughout the state.
• DOJ Office on Violence Against Women, www.ojp.usdoj.gov/vawo/welcome.html, provides resources for service providers, concerned citizens, and survivors of violence against women
• National Electronic Network on Violence Against Women, www.VAWnet.org, collect, analyze, prepare and electronically disseminate information and materials on domestic violence, sexual assault, and related issues via VAWnet's web site and facilitated listserv discussions.

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Clergy and Human Service Providers in Dialogue

St. Paul Congregational United Church of Christ and Crisis Intervention Services are providing a workshop for clergy and human service providers in Oskaloosa.

The workshop will be held on February 12, 2004, from 8:15-12:15 p.m. Registration and refreshments will be provided at 8:00 a.m. The registration fee is $10 per person, with CEU’s provided, but scholarships are available. The workshop will be held at the St. Paul Congregational United Church of Christ in the Fellowship Hall.

The objectives of the conference include:

• Understand the impact of abuse on the survivor
• Describe resources available for survivors within local communities
• Describe ways clergy and service providers can provide support and resources for survivors
• Discuss identification, assessment, and intervention practices
• Learn new ways to get involved and stop abuse in both religious and secular communities

This conference will be beneficial for clergy, human service providers, abuse survivors, congregation members, domestic abuse advocates, and interested citizens. Put it on your calendar today!

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Shelter Sports New Curtains

Recently, Crystal Sodak, the Shelter Coordinator, expressed a need for new curtains on the third floor of the shelter. The Buildings & Grounds Committee of the CIS Board of Directors immediately got to work. They obtained fabric at no cost through the NAEIR program (thanks again to United Way!) and organized a series of sewing meetings. Five volunteers came to the sewing meetings and quickly organized cutting, pinning, and sewing tables in the United Way Conference Room. The volunteers enjoyed themselves and are quickly on their way to having the curtains finished for the third floor. We have a lot of fabric remaining and we may ask new volunteers to sew curtains for the second floor bedrooms and bathroom. If you are interested, please contact the CIS office. This is one of many goals that the Buildings & Grounds Committee has for shelter beautification in the upcoming years.

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Don't forget to read the Press Releases

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