Mercer County Family Crisis Network

CROP FOR A CAUSE!

2010-07-21T08:03:00.000-07:00

WHAT: A huge cropping and scrapbooking event!

WHEN: Saturday, September 18th 10am-11pm

WHERE: Romer's Catering in Celina, OH
1101 West Bank Road
Celina, OH 45822

WHO: You, you're cropping friends, & a few scrapbook celebrities!
Hosted by O.U.R. Home of Mercer County and the Family Crisis Network

WHY: To raise awareness about domestic violence and the excellent services provided in the Mercer County area to support those in need

COST: $75 per person (and totally worth every cent! )

Check out what's all included :
At the crop, each table will seat 5 croppers. You may request to sit with a group at the time your register.
You will be provided with a buffet lunch & boxed dinner. The lunch will be catered by the famous Romer's Catering - Yum! Beverages will be provided throughout the day as well.
Celebrity scrapper, and the founding editor of Creating Keepsakes Magazine, Lisa Bearson will be at this event, too! In addition to a keynote address, she will be offering classes during the day, at a cost of $15 each. There will be other classes to choose as well, one in particular will be taught by the always adorable Jillibean Soup creatives! Another class will be taught by a local photography professional about capturing the perfect shots on your camera! You may sign up for these classes at registration.
My Scrapbook Paradise will have a small store set up throughout the day to ensure ample adhesives! Plus we will be excited to release some brand new collections, premiering at this event! In addition to these great collections, we will also have a great new stash of kits to release!
Besides an excellent goodie bag for all attendees, there will be giveaways every hour and a raffle - and the raffle prizes are just awesome! All proceeds will go to support the cause as well. Some of these prizes will be well worth the cost of tickets! More details coming soon!
Get even more chances to win great prizes if you enter any of the fun page contests! There will be 5 different contest themes and each winner will receive an awesome prize. The themes are:
-The Power of Purple
- Family Fun
- Baby
- Vacation
- Holiday

Each category will have 3 winners. Entries must be submitted by 7pm and winners will be announced at 10pm.
This entire event is for such a great local cause and we are proud to support it. Please join us for the fun and register today!

A visit to "Open Arms"

2010-06-14T12:12:00.000-07:00

Our staff enjoyed a visit to a sister organization in Findlay last week (June 8th). We were able to meet with the program directors of “Open Arms”. We enjoyed the tour of their 2 facilities, and had a wonderful discussion where we gained a lot of insight into programs, gathering new ideas to make our programs better.
There was so much to talk about! Since we have been planning to being implementing a children’s program, we talked to them about what they do in theirs. They have a visitation and exchange program that is part of their agency (fortunately we have another program available to us under the OUR Home umbrella, RAFT, we can already use), but also do separate intakes for children in shelter in order to evaluate their needs. They were generous withier comments AND their paperwork, which makes our job a little easier.
Since they are a larger agency, we also discussed some of their policies and procedures pertaining to legal advocacy and shelter, and then further discussed how some of their ideas could be applied to our agency during lunch and on the ride home.
We enjoyed meeting others who had a penchant for the Domestic Violence Cause, sharing ideas and supporting one another.
Thanks Erin and Yvette!

To learn more about Open Arms, CLICK HERE.

Children Who Witness Domestic Violence Part 1

2010-05-24T12:45:00.000-07:00

To read the entire article from enotalone.com, click here.

Children who live in homes where a parent or caretaker is experiencing abuse are commonly referred to as "child witnesses" or "children who are witnessing" domestic violence. The term "children's exposure" to domestic violence, however, provides a more inclusive definition because it encompasses the multiple ways children experience domestic abuse. Although caretakers frequently believe they are protecting their children from witnessing their abuse, children living in these homes report differently. Researchers have found that 80 to 90 percent of children in homes where domestic violence occurs can provide detailed accounts of the violence in their homes. Research studies have proliferated regarding children's exposure to domestic violence, the problems associated with witnessing, and the protective factors that influence their responses to the violence. Children's exposure to domestic violence typically falls into three primary categories:

Hearing a violent event;

Being directly involved as an eyewitness, intervening, or being used as a part of a violent event (e.g., being used as a shield against abusive actions);

Experiencing the aftermath of a violent event.

Children's exposure to domestic violence also may include being used as a spy to interrogate the adult victim, being forced to watch or participate in the abuse of the victim, and being used as a pawn by the abuser to coerce the victim into returning to the violent relationship. Some children are physically injured as a direct result of the domestic violence. Some perpetrators intentionally physically, emotionally, or sexually abuse their children in an effort to intimidate and control their partner. While this is clearly child maltreatment, other cases may not be so clear. Children often are harmed accidentally during violent attacks on the adult victim. An object thrown or weapon used against the battered partner can hit the child. Assaults on younger children can occur while the adult victim is holding the child, and injury or harm to older children can happen when they intervene in violent episodes. In addition to being exposed to the abusive behavior, many children are further victimized by coercion to remain silent about the abuse, maintaining the "family secret."

The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children

Children who live with domestic violence face numerous risks, such as the risk of exposure to traumatic events, the risk of neglect, the risk of being directly abused, and the risk of losing one or both of their parents. All of these can lead to negative outcomes for children and clearly have an impact on them. Research studies consistently have found the presence of three categories of childhood problems associated with exposure to domestic violence:

Behavioral, social, and emotional problems: higher levels of aggression, anger, hostility, oppositional behavior, and disobedience; fear, anxiety, withdrawal, and depression; poor peer, sibling, and social relationships; low self-esteem.

Cognitive and attitudinal problems: lower cognitive functioning, poor school performance, lack of conflict resolution skills, limited problem-solving skills, acceptance of violent behaviors and attitudes, belief in rigid gender stereotypes and male privilege.

Long-term problems: higher levels of adult depression and trauma symptoms, increased tolerance for and use of violence in adult relationships.

Children also display specific problems unique to their physical, psychological, and social development. For example, infants exposed to violence may have difficulty developing attachments with their caregivers and in extreme cases suffer from "failure to thrive." It should be noted that there also are limitations and uncertainties to the research since some of the children in such studies do not show elevated problem levels even under similar circumstances. Preschool children may regress developmentally or suffer from eating and sleep disturbances. School-aged children may struggle with peer relationships, academic performance, and emotional stability. Adolescents are at a higher risk for either perpetrating or becoming victims of teen dating violence. Reports from adults who repeatedly witnessed domestic violence as children show that many suffer from trauma-related symptoms, depression, and low self-esteem.

Could the death of Yeardley Love have been prevented?

2010-05-19T07:38:00.001-07:00

Dr. Phil weighs in the the death of VA LaCrosse player Yeardley Love. He talks quite a bit about the seriousness of this type of violence, and indicates warning signs that others could have seen had they known what to look for.

CDC (Center for Disease Control) Survey 2005

2010-05-13T19:10:00.000-07:00

CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey 2005

1 IN 4 WOMEN, 1 IN 9 MEN IN UNITED STATES ARE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIVES
In households with incomes under $15,000 per year, 35.5% of women and 20.7% of men suffered violence from an intimate partner.
43% of women and 26% of men in multiracial non-Hispanic households suffered partner violence.
39% of women and 18.6% of men in American Indian/Alaska Native households suffered partner violence.
26.8% of women and 15.5% of men in white non-Hispanic households suffered partner violence.
29.2% of women and 23.3% of men in black non-Hispanic households suffered partner violence.
20.5% of women and 15.5% of men in Hispanic households suffered partner violence.

Relationship Violence...The death of Yeardley Love

2010-05-11T18:13:00.000-07:00

Some of you may or may not be familiar with the unraveling story of the murder of University of Viriginia LaCrosse player Yeardley Love. She was beaten to death by her former boyfriend, another LaCrosse player. All of the sudden, there is a lot of attention being focused on relationship violence. Here is wonderful article written by Casey Gwinn under the Family Justice Center Alliance blog.

Last week, Yeardley Love was murdered by her former boyfriend, George Huguely at the University of Virginia. The media has given it much coverage. Though three other women died the same day Yeardley died and though four women have died every day since her death, this case has captured more attention. She was from an upper middle class family. Her killer was from a wealthy Florida family. They were both good looking, white, successful college lacrosse players with scholarships. This kind of thing is not supposed to happen with people like this, right? They were young…with their whole lives ahead of them. Now, George Huguely will spend the rest of his life in prison. Yeardley Love is dead. Who is responsible? Who should answer for her murder? Fingers are pointing at the university, at his family, at their friends, and at law enforcement professionals who dealt with him in the past. People are calling for an investigation and a review of everything that happened. The University is pledging to do more about the issue of relationship violence on their campus.

But perhaps we are missing out on the big picture. Perhaps we are missing out on the much less obvious cause of Yeardley Love’s murder. And perhaps we can actually learn from it and do something about it if we will get honest about those who should be accountable…So, who is responsible for the murder of Yeardley Love? Who should answer for her death?

We are all responsible. I am partially responsible for her murder. You are partially responsible for her murder. We should all answer for her murder. But George killed her, right? The rage-filled, jealous, obsessive boyfriend is responsible not us! Yes, he is responsible too. And he will personally pay for savagely beating her to death in what his attorney has called an “accident.” But it was not an accident. It was a pre-meditated, predictable, preventable, murder. The University of Virginia should have seen it coming. Their friends should have seen it coming. And if we were all well-educated on the issues and the research, if we all were aware of everything going on in every abusive relationship in America, we would all see each and every one of these murders coming.

Read More...

NEWS: Regional Forum on Prevention

2010-05-10T14:15:00.000-07:00

Outreach Coordinator Chiara Cameron recently attended a regional forum sponsored by ODVN (Ohio Domestic Violence Network) targeting ideas for better prevention practices and intervention practices.

Participants included representatives from many different kinds of agencies who serve families in crisis all over northwest Ohio including Findlay, Wood County, Lima and Toledo. Rebecca Cline from ODVN presented a training about different levels of prevention including 1st level (before the vioelnce), 2nd level (immediately after the violence) and 3rd level (long term interventions and prevention). Representatives also shared ideas and methods that have been successful and shared upcoming events.

Special Attention was given to the possible repercussions of House Bills 19 and 10 regarding Teen Dating Violence Policies.

Did you know?

2010-05-10T14:13:00.000-07:00

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, between 1998 and 2002:

Of the almost 3.5 million violent crimes committed against family members, 49% of these were crimes against spouses.
84% of spouse abuse victims were females, and 86% of victims of dating partner abuse at were female.
Males were 83% of spouse murderers and 75% of dating partner murderers
50% of offenders in state prison for spousal abuse had killed their victims. Wives were more likely than husbands to be killed by their spouses: wives were about half of all spouses in the population in 2002, but 81% of all persons killed by their spouse.

For more statistics, check the website provided by the american bar association.

Long Term Effects of Abuse...the physical side

2010-05-03T09:11:00.000-07:00

Did you know?

"Women who are abused are frequently treated within health-care systems, however, they generally do not present with obvious trauma, even in accident and emergency departments. Intimate partner violence has long-term negative health consequences for survivors, even after the abuse has ended. These effects can manifest as poor health status, poor quality of life, and high use of health services."

There are possible long term effects associated with abuse that include:

Injury: Battered women were more likely to have been injured in the head, face, neck, thorax, breasts, and abdomen than women injured in other ways. Although most battered women in the USA state that they have been injured as a result of the abuse, less than half say that they sought health care specifically for those injuries.

Homicide: 40–60% of murders of women in North America are perpetrated by intimate partners.

Suicide

Chronic health problems: The injuries, fear, and stress associated with intimate partner violence can result in chronic health problems such as chronic pain (eg, headaches, back pain) or recurring central nervous system symptoms including fainting and seizures.

Gastrointestinal complaints and disorders associated with chronic stress. These disorders may begin during an acutely violent and thus stressful relationship. The consequent functional damage to the bowel can last far longer than the violent relationship.

Cardiac Symptoms such as hypertension and chest pain have also been associated with intimate partner violence.

Gynecological problems are the most consistent, longest lasting, and largest physical health difference between battered and non-battered women.

Sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, and unintended pregnancy were linked to intimate partner abuse in population-based studies in the USA and developing countries.

Maternal/Child Health: The main health effect specific to abuse during pregnancy is the threat to health and risk of death of the mother, fetus, or both from trauma.

To read the entire article, click here.

OSU study

2010-04-30T05:59:00.000-07:00

In conjunction with Ohio State University, the Ohio Department of Public Safety and the State of Ohio Office of Criminal Justice (OCJS) a comprehensive study was conducted in 2004 with the intent of getting a clearer picture of domestic violence within the state. Although the group putting the report together confess there are 3 main factors that may alter the validity of the study (including non reporting of the crime, not obtaining reports from all counties and incomplete reports from some counties), they feel the report still meets the purpose: to give a more concise picture of the nature of Domestic Violence in Ohio and show patterns and progressions that may help plan for prevention. We'll be sharing bits and pieces of this over the next few months, but here are some interesting facts from the summary:

"Despite the difficulties encountered in some areas of data analysis, we are able to offer

various findings from our work, recognizing that they may be based on the reluctance of some

population groups to report domestic violence incidents to the police:

• most domestic violence incidents take place at home, are intraracial, and involve female

victims;

• domestic violence rates decline as household income levels increase;

• domestic violence rates increase as poverty rates and percentage of racial minorities

increase;

• partner domestic violence cases significantly outnumber family domestic violence cases;

• there are two general age patterns of domestic violence—one in which the victim and

suspect are both in their early 20s, and another in which the suspect is an older teenager

who victimizes a person in their mid-30s;

• the frequency of domestic violence tapers off as the suspect ages, thus confirming the

general age distribution of crime."

How do you feel about these findings? Do you feel they are accurate within your scope of knowledge about Domestic Violence?

Crime Victims Awareness Week

2010-04-19T11:01:00.001-07:00

April 18th through the 24th is Crime Victims Awareness Week!

Click for the website.

Did you know?

In 2008, there were 21 million crimes comitted in the United States. 5 million of them were violent, 16 million were property related
In 2008, vicitms age 12 or older expereinced a total of 203, 830 rapes or sexual assaults
In 2007, child protective services found approximately 794,000 children to be victims of child abuse or neglect
In 2007, there were 621,450 violent crimes comitted in the workplace
During a one year period, 3.4 million people aged 18 and older were stalked

Reproductive Coercion

2010-04-05T11:05:00.000-07:00

One of the things we like to do is keep people informed. Sometimes, this means going outside of ourselves and offering the findings and insights of other (usually smarter) people.

This article talks about one of the aspects of the whole power and control thing.
According to this article, in 1 out of every 3 cases of abuse, the abusive men used reproduction as a form of coercion meant to bring their victim under more control.

The article also cautioned doctors about listening to their patients and helping them find methods of staying in control of their own bodies when their partner wanted to try and force them to do otherwise.

Read the article here.

Read more about Intimate Partner Terrorism.

Fear is a terrible companion...

2010-04-05T10:37:00.000-07:00

As many of you are aware, the physical violence we most commonly associate with Domestic Violence is only part of the story. Relationships where one partner is terrorizing the other are layered in different tactics… the least of which is physical violence.

Intimate Partner Terrorism is not necessarily the most common form of DV, but it IS the one we think of most often.

To really understand, we first need to know what terrorism is. According to dictionary.com, terrorism is described as:

1. the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, esp. for political purposes.
2. the state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or terrorization.

If you live here in the US, you are familiar with the feelings quickly associated with global terrorism, because we have all been subject to them.. Imagine now the feelings you have when you think of Osama Bin Laden or 9-11, and make them personal.
Very personal. So personal that it is not some faceless (albeit horrifying) person threatening to possibly harm you…but the person sitting next to you at the dinner table. And the threats are personalized, They are specific to you and your situation.

And, most horrifyingly, they could be easily and quietly be carried out. And no one else would know.

Fear is a terrible companion.

Part of what we do (and seriously, only a part) is to help those who desire to leave situations such as these. If you or anyone you know is subject to Intimate Partner Terrorism, see our contact page.

We are here to offer support and advocacy for change.

Good Questions...

2010-03-22T10:49:00.000-07:00

We just enjoyed some time at the Mercer County Healthy Living Expo last Saturday. What great event! We met a lot of other people from some great agencies and were very impressed at the organization and the resources presented.

It was interesting speaking with people, and answering their questions about DV and about our agency. Here are a few of the good ones we felt we should pass on:

Q: Is getting a protection order easy?

A: Actually not, unless the person your trying to be protected from is arrested. If you are trying to get a civil protection order, there is quite a bit of paperwork and it takes a little time. However, CPO's (Civil Protection Orders) last longer then a protection order assigned by a criminal court (which only lasts until the case is dismissed). And here's a big one: CPO'S DO NOT USUALLY INCLUDE CHILDREN UNLESS YOU CAN PROVE THE PERPETRATOR IS ALSO HARMING THEM!

Another important note: We do NOT grant CPO's at our office. Only the Magistrate can do that. We just get the process going.

Q: What can I do for someone who I know who is being abused?

A: Do all that you can to maintain that relationship. Be a good listener and unconditionally supportive. If they ever decide to take action (and it MUST be THEIR decision not yours), they will need to know they have someone to turn to. Giving them a big fat "I told you so" will NOT make it easier for them to move on with their lives. Remember, they are already being controlled and minimized and blamed by their abuser...they really don't need any of it from any one else.

If you have any questions for us, please feel free to leave a comment and we will answer them!

Understanding the Cycle of Battering

2010-03-08T14:56:00.000-08:00

This article is from the website Strengthen our Sisters. They advocate that world peace begins at home. This particular piece is about the definition of Domestic Violence.

1. BATTERING, ABUSE, OR ASSAULT: The use of physical force to control and maintain power over an intimate partner. It involves frightening and intimidating someone repeatedly over a period of time.

A. PHYSICAL (against a person): This is the most obvious -- it involves physical assault. It is hitting, slugging, pushing, kicking, pulling of hair, shoving, slapping, etc.

B. SEXUAL: This involves forcing the partner to do sexual things against her/his will. Genitals may be the target during sexual assault.

C. PHYSICAL (against property): This is not assault of the victim's body directly, but is the destruction of property, pets and other items belonging to the family member.

D. PSYCHOLOGICAL: This comes in many different forms and runs from name calling to a campaign of terrorism equivalent to that directed towards prisoners of war or hostages. There usually has been one physical attack which establishes a context or framework which makes the psychological abuse more intimidating, more credible, and more controlling. Psychological assault includes threats of violence towards a family members, threats of having one's partner committed or taking the children away, threats of homicide or suicide, etc.

2. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Abuse in a family or household that includes woman abuse, partner abuse, child abuse, incest, sibling abuse, or elder abuse.

3. BATTERED WOMAN: A victim of repeated physical, emotional (and often sexual) abuse by husband, former husband, lover, boyfriend or intimate partner. The assailant is jealous, controlling and uses threats, intimidation and verbal abuse, as well as physical violence, to get his way. Once the battering starts, it usually gets worse and more frequent over time.

BATTERING ISN'T
• ARGUING
• FIGHTING OR DISAGREEING
• ASSERTIVENESS
• SELF-DEFENSE

Mercer County Healthy Living Expo

2010-03-08T14:50:00.000-08:00

We will be at the Mercer County Healthy Living Expo sponsored by Mercer Health Saturday March 20th from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. COSI on wheels will be there, as will dozens upon dozens of other presenters. At our display, we will have Anger Lotto to play, with purple suckers as treats for participating!

Newsletter Available

2010-03-05T10:51:00.001-08:00

We have our Spring Newsletter Ready! If you would like a copy, feel free to stop by our office or send us an email and request one at familycrisisnetwork@bright.net