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Empowering Our |
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Volume VII, Issue 2 |
January 2007 |
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[Upcoming Events | Shelter Renovation Funds Needed | Arming Domestic Abusers | New Crime Victim Registration Available Soon | Domestic Violence Awareness Month Successful | Advocacy Training Scheduled | U Can 2 Sisterhood | The Person I Should Be | Why Does She | Pella MOM Program Changes Name | Violence Prevention Program Available | ASilent Epidemic | GoodSearch | Pre-tax IRA Donations | Victory | Fundraising Activities Support Advocacy Services | WPU Students Find Their Voices]
Don't forget to read the Press Releases
Upcoming Events
- January Level I Advocacy Training, required for new staff, volunteers, and interns, please call today to register!
- February, Violence Against Women Lobby Day, sponsored by ICADV and IowaCASA
- March 16, Domestic Violence screening training for dental providers
- March 31, Purple Ribbon Auction to support CIS
- April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, please call today to request a presentation or awareness event!
Shelter Renovation Funds Needed
All of us here at the shelter hope that your holidays were safe and filled with joy. As you know, CIS received a special appropriation grant to make much needed repairs to our emergency shelter. We appreciate Congressman Leonard Boswell for making the grant possible. Thanks to Buck Vander Wilt, Lee Grubb, Rod Curtis and others, we were able to stretch the funds a long way. So far, we have raised $7,100 for the remaining repairs that are critical to the health and safety of our residents, volunteers, and staff (abate lead-based paint in interior, contain lead levels in soil around the home, and replace stairs to the basement). Approximately $10,000 is needed as lead abatement is extremely expensive. Moreover, we cannot utilize volunteers, as we normally would, for this project because of the health concerns.
In addition to the funds that we have raised, we received a call from a supporter of CIS, Phil Smethers (Knoxville), who offered to replace the stair treads to the basement and install a hand rail. That work has been completed. CIS paid for the materials with funds raised, and Phil, along with a friend (Tom Lahart, Albia), donated their time for the work. Residents, volunteers, and staff are very appreciative of the safe stairs. Access to donations and supplies stored in the basement will be much easier for us all. Please consider donating today to help us reach our goal of $10,000 to finish the necessary work on our shelter. Our fundraising committee has been working diligently to achieve this goal. Many of you may have seen their efforts with the fundraising letter that was mailed out in November, but we still need to raise $2,900. We thank all of you who have contributed in helping us to make the shelter safe for those we serve. Happy Holidays!
Arming Domestic Abusers
According to a study released by the Iowans for the Prevention of Gun Violence (June 2006), Iowa district courts are failing to enforce federal law (enacted in 1994) that prohibits a person who is subject to a civil protective order for domestic violence from possessing firearms. Of approximately 2,500 qualifying protective orders issued in 2005, an estimated 1,800 orders failed to prohibit the defendant from possessing firearms and to require the defendant to surrender his/her firearm to a designated law enforcement agency. It is estimated that about 1,000 of the defendants possessed firearms at the time the protective order was issued.
Domestic abusers use firearms to intimidate, threaten, injure, and kill their partners. Nationwide, there are approximately 1,600 intimate partner homicides each year. About 75% of the victims are women. A firearm is used in about two-thirds of intimate partner homicides. About 12 domestic homicides occur in Iowa each year.
The study revealed that only about one in four qualifying protective orders issued by Iowa district courts in 2005 prohibited the defendant from possessing firearms. The study found that about 25 percent of the judges were responsible for about 75 percent of the protective orders that prohibited the defendant from possessing firearms.
IPGV recommends the following to increase compliance with federal law on domestic abuse protective orders. (1)The Iowa District Court should (a) educate judges on the applicability of federal firearms laws to domestic abuse protective orders and (b) develop judicial practices to ensure that federal firearms laws are properly enforced on domestic abuse protective orders. (2) The Iowa Legislature should enact legislation that would codify the federal law into state law. This action would remove all doubt that domestic abuse protective orders should prohibit the defendant from possessing firearms. For the full report, go to www.ipgv.org. The Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence supports these recommendations. Contact your legislators today to request that they support improving Iowa law as recommended!
New Crime Victim Registration Available Soon
Iowa is implementing a new program called the IowaVINE system. VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. IowaVINE is Iowa’s new system of automated victim notification. Victims of crimes whose perpetrator(s) has been convicted because of a crime(s) committed upon the victim will now be able to be notified via telephone and internet on the whereabouts of the perpetrator(s) throughout the perpetrator’s prison, court, and / or probation / parole time.
Each Iowa county is able to decide whether or not to implement the system. So far, of the four counties that Crisis Intervention Services provides services to, Lucas, Mahaska, and Marion have expressed interest in implementing the system. The IowaVINE Coordinator is hopeful that the Keokuk County Sheriff’s Department will also agree to implement the new system. The VINE system has been implemented in 41 other states, but only about 20 states have the VINE system available statewide. The VINE system was first put into action in Kentucky. The VINE system came about when a woman named Mary Byron was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend ten years ago. After being arrested for a crime committed upon Mary, the ex-boyfriend posted bail and immediately went to Mary’s residence and killed her. Mary was never notified of the offender’s release from custody.
The IowaVINE system is not entirely taking the place of any other notification service, but rather enhancing notification services available to victims by providing information to victims through telephonic and electronic (website) means. The IowaVINE system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
The IowaVINE system is an anonymous, cost-free way for a victim to receive information and notification regarding an offender. The toll-free IowaVINE number will be released soon and upon receiving the number, Crisis Intervention Services will do its part to make sure that victims are notified of this toll-free number. The website for IowaVINE is www.vinelink.com.
The IowaVINE system is also available to family members of the victim, as well as any interested party who needs information and notification on an offender’s custody status with the D.O.C. and local law enforcement within counties that have implemented the IowaVINE system. Crisis Intervention Services encourages all Iowa counties to implement the IowaVINE system in order to provide empowerment, information, and notification to victims and families of crimes whose perpetrators have been convicted and are still in involved in the legal system due to this crime. For more information, contact Jill at 641-621-1707.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Successful
This year, CIS held many successful events during October for the National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM), and we appreciate your support! We held Domestic Violence Awareness Walks in Chariton, Knoxville, and Sigourney for the first time. We decorated the square of the community with flags and our Clothesline Project. The walks were well-attended by survivors, concerned citizens, and local professionals who want to help end abuse. We provided drinks and light refreshments for the walkers. Walkers were able to purchase CIS t-shirts at cost.
Other events held during the month include Finding Your Voice Week at WPU (see page 7), Faith and Domestic Violence training at St. Mary’s Church in Oskaloosa, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes interactive presentation, Strangulation Training at Keokuk County Health Center and Mahaska Health Partnership, Dating Violence training in Chariton, presentation about Internet Safety in Chariton, presentation and booth at the Women’s Health Seminar in Pella, and various presentations for civic and religious groups during the month.
We have tentatively scheduled domestic violence awareness walks for next October. Each walk will be held on a Monday at the town square.
October 1, 2007 12-1 Chariton
October 8, 2007 12-1 Knoxville
October 15, 2007 12-1 Pella
October 22, 2007 12-1 Sigourney
To schedule an event for your group next year, contact Dawn at 621-1707 or 673-0336.
Advocacy Training Scheduled
Level I Domestic Abuse/Sexual Assault Advocacy Training Outline
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
5:30-7:00 Introduction and History of Domestic Abuse & Rape Crisis Movements
9:00-9:30 Overview of CIS Policies (volunteers receive in-depth policy training during job shadowing)
Friday, Jan 19
5:30-9:30 Introduction to Domestic Violence Dynamics
Monday, Jan 22
5:30-7:30 Children Exposed to Domestic Violence
7:30-9:00 Suicide: Screening and Intervening Protocols
9:00-9:30 Supporting Friends & Family of Victims
Wednesday, Jan 24
5:30-7:30 Introduction to Sexual Assault Dynamics
7:30-8:30 Sexual Assault Evidentiary Examination
8:30-9:30 Childhood Sexual Abuse
Friday, Jan 26
5:30-7:30 Crisis Intervention Skills I
7:30-9:30 Date & Acquaintance (Non-Stranger) Rape
Monday, Jan 29
5:30-7:30 Crisis Intervention Skills II
7:30-9:30 Offenders: Understanding Why They Choose to Rape & Abuse
Wednesday, Jan 31
5:30-6:30 Stalking
6:30-9:00 Iowa Criminal Law & Court Proceedings
9-9:30 Closing
*Two ten-minute breaks will be given each evening
Location: United Way Conference Room, 500 High Avenue West, Oskaloosa.
Cost: Minimum donation of $5 per evening or $25 for the entire course is requested. Scholarships are available upon request.
Who Should Attend: This training is open to the public. Everyone is encouraged to attend and learn more about the prevalence of violence in our communities. You do not have to commit to volunteering with CIS in order to attend. Continuing education units will be offered through IHCC for medical providers, social workers, and advocates.
Registration Information: Contact Jackie, Volunteer Coordinator, at 673-5499 or crisisintervention@mahaska.org to register or for more information. This training meets Level I victim advocacy requirements of Iowa Code of Law, the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
U Can 2 Sisterhood
This support group meets every Thursday at 4:00 p.m. in a safe and confidential location. Group members support each other in recovering from traumatic experiences and with accomplishing personal goals. To register for the group call 673-0336.
Back to topThe Person I Should Be
scarred deeply
frightened to the core
groomed to their liking
but held captive no more
wanting more than what was given
needing to be free
searching for a way out
breaking the chains that held me
I leaned on myself for so long
now I don’t know what to do
I don’t even know how to be
so I look to others for a clue
I’m changing my ways
relying on others to guide me
walking through the fear becoming
the person I think I should be
-Kathy F
Why Does She?
Why does a victim stay in an abusive relationship? Why does a victim ‘recant’ a statement to law enforcement? These questions are asked of our advocates every day. We are glad you ask, because that shows you are willing to try to understand. A better question to ask ourselves though is “why someone would abuse their spouse, dating partner, or children.” This question puts the responsibility for the abuse where it belongs. Even though we do not always understand, we still need to provide support to those who are in a violent relationship. We need to assist them in locating the proper resources to help them find strength and courage, and to show them that the abuse is not their fault. Let’s take a look at some reasons why people stay in abusive relationships:
The abuser will threaten the victim, saying they will hurt or even kill them and/or their family members if they leave.
If children are involved, the abuser may threaten to take the children from them (by kidnapping or fighting for custody), or even kill the children, if they leave.
They do not have the financial resources available to support themselves and their children, once they leave the relationship.
She loves him. It is as simple and as complex as that. They believe their abusers will change. The relationship can become confusing, because the abuser will apologize after being violent and promises that it will not happen again, but it does. Victims usually want the abuse to end, not the relationship. Until a victim recognizes, in her heart as well as her mind, that the batterer will not change, she will not be free of the abuse.
Many victims may not have a support system because people tend to blame them for the abuse or for not leaving the abuser. They do not know where they can go to get help, or feel that the abuse is their fault and that they do not deserve help. If you know someone who is in an abusive relationship, offer them your friendship and support. Listen to them without judging. Let them know that they are not responsible for the abuse.
Pella MOM Program Changes Name
Crisis Intervention Services is still moving forward with its MOMS Program. Weekly groups are offered in Chariton, Knoxville, Pella, Oskaloosa, and Sigourney. We are currently making changes in the Pella area of Marion County associated with the MOM’S name. We have changed from Mom’s off Meth to MOM’S—Strength through Recovery. The women agreed to the name change because the group is open to women with any addiction issues, not just meth. The name change in Pella will allow us to track effectiveness of the name change and may promote changes in our other counties as well. We believe the Strength through Recovery will promote a more inclusive environment, thus increasing participation.
If this change appears to influence participation, it will be implemented in Keokuk County where we are still experiencing difficulties forming a group. Mahaska County is experiencing a new beginning at this time, picking up some new faces and beginning the formation of new group dynamics. Knoxville, in Marion County, is also experiencing growth, and we have had a few new faces returning on a weekly basis.
Lucas County has been a challenge, not in formation, but in keeping up with growth and providing services to the women who attend. In October, CIS added an outreach advocate position to spend two days a week in Chariton, which has resulted in three or four new faces around the table and more individual services outside of the weekly groups. We have already increased her work in Chariton to three days weekly in response to the demand. Another example of the wonderful support we receive is the in-kind donation from the Community of Christ Church in Chariton. They have generously allowed CIS the use of their facilities for providing services to MOM’S and other victims we serve in Lucas County.
Violence Prevention Program Available
To prevent future violence, it is vital that the young generation be informed of acceptable versus harmful behaviors, boundaries, and healthy relationships. Crisis Intervention Services (CIS) began implementing new curricula into our service area middle and high schools to teach students the dynamics of healthy relationships.
Crisis Intervention Services has been networking with local schools to bring in these new curricula at no cost to them. For the fall semester, CIS has been able to reach six different groups of students from four high schools. These schools include the Oskaloosa Alternative School (OASIS), Sigourney Alternative School (New Directions), Knoxville Alternative School (Trabert GOAL), and Pella Christian High School. Next semester we expect to provide prevention education for at least 8 groups of students in Russell Schools, Chariton High School, and Pleasantville High School. We have also been providing violence prevention programming for local SEIDA NEST groups in Keokuk, Mahaska, and Lucas Counties.
The curricula we use have been approved by the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault because it is research-based and has been evaluated. Moreover, CIS uses a male-female team to provide the programs as that has been found to be the most effective. We have two men on staff now, Conn and Jeff. Conn and Catherine provide most of the prevention programs, but other outreach staff have been trained to use the curricula and are available to assist as needed. We meet with the same group of students for a minimum of four sessions to discuss how you would like to be treated by a dating partner, harmful behaviors, why people abuse, how to help someone who is being abused, flirting versus unwanted behaviors, etc. Students are given the chance to ask questions and address any concerns they may have and are also encouraged to contact an advocate outside of class regarding any additional inquiries.
CIS is committed to providing these curricula to other local civic youth groups, such as 4-H or church youth groups, in addition to the schools. We are also planning to provide workshops for parents and professionals who work with youth in all four counties that we serve.
The funding for the prevention programming is provided, in part, by the Rape Prevention Education grant through the Center for Disease Control (CDC). This grant comes to the Iowa Department of Public Health and is administered through competitive grants to sexual assault programs by the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
If you or someone you know may be interested in bringing a violence prevention program to any local organization, please contact Catherine at 673-0336 or crisisintervention@mahaska.org.
A Silent Epidemic
Sexual Assault is a silent epidemic, spreading at high levels to affect many victims, but being reported by few. According to the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network, someone in America is sexually assaulted every two and a half minutes, and one in six women are victims of a sexual assault. Sexual assault often involves psychological coercion and taking advantage of an individual who is under pressure or incapacitated. The influence of alcohol is commonly seen in sexual assault cases as the perpetrator intentionally uses alcohol to incapacitate a victim. Alcohol is considered the most frequently used ‘date rape drug’ by professionals.
Approximately one-half of reported sexual assault cases involved the consumption of alcohol by the perpetrator, victim or both. Alcohol can put a person into a vulnerable state and can make unacceptable actions seemingly acceptable. When drinking, a woman is more likely to find herself in dangerous situations and is less able to recognize signs of trouble early on. The influence of alcohol also reduces her ability to leave a situation quickly if the need arose. In addition, a perpetrator drinking alcohol is less likely to comprehend limits which would be set upon them by a victim, such as recognizing messages of “no.”
Alcohol usage by the perpetrator is NO excuse for inappropriate behavior which may result in a sexual assault and a victim who has been drinking is NOT responsible for the crime that has been committed against her. Below are a few suggestions which may help reduce your risk of becoming a victim of a sexual assault crime:
- Set limits regarding your consumption of alcohol
- Have a friend with you when drinking. Someone who can not only be a designated driver, but who will watch out for you and ensure you safely get home
- Communicate what you do and do not want clearly
- Trust your feelings and acknowledge warnings
Use friends to help you become aware of limits and boundaries while drinking
GoodSearch
Want to help raise money for Crisis Intervention Services by browsing the Internet? Now you can and it is as simple as that. “The company was founded by a brother and sister team who lost their mom to cancer and wanted to find an easy way for people to support their favorite causes.” GoodSearch is an Internet search engine that enables you to help fund charities or schools like CIS by searching the Internet. You can even make GoodSearch your home page. For more information, visit www.goodsearch.com. Please select Crisis Intervention Services and donate to us every time you search the internet!
Back to topPre-tax IRA Donations
CIS learned recently that withdrawals from an IRA account can be made pre-tax, if you donate the withdrawal to a charitable organization. If you plan to make a withdrawal, please consider donating to CIS. Some additional paperwork is required. Please speak with your financial advisor for more information.
Back to topVictory
On Monday, November 20, just one week before it was scheduled to air, the Fox television network cancelled its planned “two-night event” featuring O.J. Simpson talking about how he would have murdered his ex-wife, Nicole Brown, and her friend, Ron Goldman, “if he did it.” HarperCollins, which like Fox is owned by News Corp., cancelled publication of the Simpson book, “If I Did It.” Denise Brown, sister of one of the homicide victims, said on NBC’s Today Show, “Yay for the American people.” The cancellation was a victory for the millions of Americans who have protested to Fox, its affiliates, and bookstores that were considering carrying the book. Domestic violence experts and battered women’s advocates across the country had organized complaints and protests. “Fox Entertainment acted responsibly by cancelling its planned O.J. Simpson special, sparing the nation the spectacle of a violent batterer discussing or recreating two murders he claims he did not commit,” Family Violence Prevention Fund President Esta Soler said. “It is very good news that millions of outraged viewers and Fox’s own affiliates prevailed.” “Now we need to put our energy into efforts to stop violence against women, which is a costly and devastating problem in this country,” Soler added. “On average, three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends each day and nearly 500 females over age 12 are victims of rape, attempted rape or sexual assault. We invite Fox to join us in our work to keep women and children safe.”
Reprinted with permission from the FVPF.
Fundraising Activities Support Advocacy Services
Crisis Intervention Services is planning its second annual Purple Ribbon Auction. The first auction was held April 1, 2006 at Bos Landen in Pella. Over $4000 was raised during the silent and live auction. Over 60 people attended the event including Congressman Leonard Boswell, who served as a guest auctioneer. Auction items ranged from restaurant gift certificates, Chicago Cubs tickets, NASCAR tickets, and much more.
The next Purple Ribbon Auction is scheduled for:
Date: Saturday, March 31, 2007
Time: Reception, 5:30 p.m.; Live and Silent Auctions 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Location: Nelson Pioneer Farm, Bradbury Hall, 2294 Oxford Avenue, Oskaloosa
In February, directions, a complete list of auction items, and event sponsors will be on our website at www.cismc.org. Proceeds from the event will assist with completing the rehab necessary at our emergency shelter.
Future fundraising events include our 7th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at Harvest Point in Oskaloosa. This event is scheduled for the third Saturday in June, June 16, 2007. Anyone interested in volunteering for Crisis Intervention Services Fundraising Committee or volunteering in any other way, please contact us at 641-673-0336 or 641-621-1707. Fundraising activities are critical for supporting services to victims of violent crimes in Keokuk, Lucas, Mahaska and Marion counties.
WPU Students Find Their Voices
October 16-20 was the annual Finding Your Voice: Speaking Out Against Violence and Oppression week at WPU. Melissa Kline, WPU Campus Counselor, started planning the event as soon as she started her position and heard about it in August. Events for the week included:
- Essay Contest with $50 gift certificate to the WPU bookstore to the winner. The essay was anonymously published in the WPU Chronicle.
- Presentation about the Iowa Prison Rape Elimination Act grant. This grant was received by Iowa Department of Corrections who is working collaboratively with the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
- Presentation about Battered Immigrant Women’s Issues provided by Kirsten Faizal, Training Coordinator of Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
- Dating Violence Discussion held at Midnite Drip.
- Walk a Mile in Her Shoes presentation, which is an interactive simulation that assists participants in understanding the many barriers that domestic violence victims face in seeking safety.
- Presentation about dating violence during Chapel.
- Self-Defense Class provided by the Oskaloosa Police Department.
In addition, students had the opportunity to view The Clothesline Project and the Silent Witnesses at the Student Union, create their own tie-dyed t-shirts to wear on Purple Day, and add a shirt to The Clothesline Project. Melissa Klein says of the event, “I really liked how I got to know students on a deeper level through the events. Several female students openly shared their experiences in violent, unhealthy relationships.”
In November, the William Penn University Foyer Gallery in the Wilcox Library featured the drawings and designs of current William Penn students in Victoria Laird’s art classes as well as t-shirts made by domestic abuse survivors in Iowa. Included in the exhibit are drawings by students in Drawing I and Pen and Ink Drawing, and collages and designs by Design class. The subject matter included causes and types of domestic abuse, surviving domestic abuse, and moving forward. Also included in the exhibit are a few “Silent Witness” standing sculptures representing victims who died as the result of the abuse. The show ran the entire month of November.
Also in November, Alpha Lambda Delta and Alpha Chi Omega students conducted a food drive. They gathered 765 pounds of food and divided the proceeds between the Ecumenical Cupboard and Crisis Intervention Services—just in time for the upcoming Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.
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