Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) Grant Received

The Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County has received funding from the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators (NAVAA) through a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), within the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, to promote community awareness of crime victims’ rights and services during 2012 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.

The week of April 22 – 28, 2012, is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW). 

This annual observance seeks to increase general public awareness of, and knowledge about the wide range of rights and services available to people who have been victimized by crime.  The theme for 2012 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week is “Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim.”

According to Heather Darcangelo, Victim Advocate, the Community Awareness Project will include many events during the month of April.

•  “Jammin for Justice”, a community awareness fair,  will center around different agencies coming together to provide and promote Crime Victims’ Rights. 
•  “Jammin for Justice” music event - Saturday, April 28^th at Cascade Park on the Ellwood Road in New Castle.  During the live “Jamming for Justice” Music Event, other activities taking place will include “Hide and Seek with a K-9”, “Pathways for Justice” where community agencies will have activity booths set up to provide information on their agency and how assistance is available to victims of crime, also included will be a “Extending the Vision” for Empowerment power lift competition, The “Press” Box, where community members can learn their rights regarding Media Privacy. Many other activities centered around Crime Victims Rights will be taking place.

For additional information about 2012 National Crime Victims’ Rights Week activities or about victims’ rights and services in Lawrence County, please contact Heather Darcangelo at 724-856-4316.

Child sexual abuse is a hidden, quiet crime.  It is the goal of the Crisis Shelter to shine a light on this issue and bring the Lawrence County community together to take a stand and make a statement against abuse.  The goal of the Believe Me When I Tell campaign is to prevent child sexual abuse and the community can help by displaying a yard sign during the month of April making the statement, We Believe You When You Tell. 
Last year, nearly 3,000 county residents displayed signs!    

It is said that it takes a village to raise a child; but, it takes a concerned, educated, aware community to nurture a healthy child.  When we collectively tell children that we will believe them when they tell, we raise a generation of self-aware children who may have the inspired confidence to speak up when they feel uncomfortable, and perhaps even before devastating, life-changing abuse occurs. 

 Watch for these April Awareness Events:

• Team Awareness Walks
• Virtual Texting Rally
• Awareness Marches at Local Universities

For more information regarding the Believe Me When I Tell campaign and how your center or group can be involved, contact Dayna Shaw Sear – Executive Director at dsear@crisisshelter.org or 724-856-4300.

To see a list of Believe Me When I Tell awareness materials available from the Crisis Shelter, please visit our awareness resource page http://crisisshelter.org/awareness-resources/

Believe Me When I Tell is partially funded by the Caroline Knox Charitable Trust, the Margaret L. Henry Charitable Trust and the Almira Foundation.

Why This Is Important

Pennsylvania is the only state in the U.S. that does not allow experts to testify in sex abuse cases. House Bill 1264 would allow experts to address questions about victim behavior in sex assault cases, including why a person abused in childhood might wait for decades to report the assaults.

This bill has already passed in the State House in Pennsylvania by a 197-0 margin. But since last June 2011, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Stewart Greenleaf, has not done a thing about it, telling the Philadelphia Weekly that he has concerns about it. (15 Dec 2011 ‘PA’s Backward Expert-Witness Law Creates Advantage for Jerry Sandusky’ by Tara Murtha)

Chillingly, as the trial for Sandusly approaches, the Wall Street Journal reports, “In Pennsylvania legal circles Mr. Amendola is known for attacking the credibility of alleged victims, especially those in sexual-assault cases.” (16 Dec 2011 ‘Sandusky’s Lawyer Defends Himself’ by John W. Miller and Jennifer Smith)

With Sandusky’s lawyer getting ready to attack the credibility of the alleged victims it is time for Sen. Greenleaf to stop stalling and pass 1264.

“If victims finally get the courage to come forward and report the abuse, they should not be further victimized by having the very normal behaviors and reactions of a sex assault victim looked upon as abnormal by a court or jury who simply isn’t educated in these things.”

                                                       -Rep. Cherelle Parker, D-Philadelphia, co-sponsor of House Bill 1264

To sign the petition and/or write a letter visit:      http://www.change.org/petitions/pennsylvania-state-senator-greenleaf-12th-district-pass-house-bill-1264-allowing-experts-to-testify-in-sex-assault-cases

Make plans now to attend the 30th Anniversary Gala Auction on February 25, 2012. 
Tickets are available by calling 724-856-4323

            The Crisis Shelter is planning its 24th Annual Auction which will take place at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. Please Save the Date!  This gala event is extra special this year as we celebrate 30 years of service to the community of Lawrence County assisting victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, juvenile crimes and other serious crimes.

             The auction is our biggest fundraiser of the year and you can help make this event successful by attending the event on February 25th.  Our live auction includes approximately 35 high end items and our silent auction and other raffles make it a fun evening.  Nearly 350 of your friends and neighbors attend the event.   Won’t you join these generous folks who contribute to the success of our auction?

             Just a sample of exciting items up for bid this year are Steeler & Pirate tickets, a Nashville trip, beautiful jewelry, golf packages, an elegant dinner catered in your home by Medure’s, an oriental rug, and lovely gift baskets too numerous to count.

            You can also help by donating items to be auctioned off.   Sporting event tickets, autographed sports memorabilia, trips, golf outings, jewelry, gift certificates of all kinds, and gift baskets are always popular. All donated items are tax deductible.  Form Receipt of Gift.2012

            More than 500 items have been donated to previous auctions.  According to Dayna Sear, Executive Director, “We appreciate the generosity of so many local businesses and community members who support our auction either with their donation, ad or attendance.” 

            Auction sponsorships are also available at various levels.  This is your golden opportunity to support the Crisis Shelter and promote your business as well.  Form Sponsor.2012   Or you can place a business ad in our program book.  Form Program AD.2012

            Donated items can be mailed or taken to the Crisis Shelter at1218 West State Street in New Castle.  We have volunteers who can pick up your item if it is not possible for you to get them to our facility. 

            For more information on being an auction sponsor or donating items, please contact Barb at 724-856-4323 or bclingensmith@crisisshelter.org.

Exciting menu items included Grilled Duck Breast and Portebello on a Tortilla, Lobster Bisque, Wild King Salmon on Creamed Leeks, Diver Scallop en Croute, Cepes Mushroom Duxelle, Butternut Squash Risotto, and Roasted Banana Crepe with Chocolate Mousse.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Event – Forever Broadcasting
Sommelier – Berner International
Reception & Dessert – Greenville Savings Bank
Flowers – Butz Flowers & Gifts
Invitations – Columbia Gas
Epicurean – Nancy & Ron Bergey
Wine Flight – Luxenberg, Garbett, Kelly & George, P.C.

Partners in Gastronomy:
Avalon Nursing Center
Bookminders
Peter & Amy Labi-Carando
ESB Bank – Shenango, Neshannock, Ellwood City
Harry & Debbie Grafton
Marvin & Gerry Lebby
Matty & Darlene Medure
Sydney & Dottie Paul
Dale & Michele Perelman
Thomas & Diane Piccione
Jonathan & Nanette Solomon
Curtis & Jean Speight
Larry & Janet Verone
Frank & Beth Verterano
Bill & Betty Zbegan

(cover of the 2012 Paint For Peace calendar)

A 2012, 8 1/2 x 11, Paint For Peace calendar is available to purchase at the Crisis Shelter.  Each month contains one of the 12 winning pieces of art submitted for the Paint For Peace Art Show that was held in conjunction with the Crisis Shelter’s annual Domestic Violence Rally.

The calendars are $20 each and make wonderful gifts.  For $2.00 extra we can mail a calendar right to your door.  To order, please contact us at info@crisisshelter.org or simply send a check for $20 (or $22) to the Crisis Shelter, 1218 West State Street, New Castle, PA 16101 for each calendar ordered.  Please be sure to indicate on the check that you are purchasing a Paint For Peace calendar.

According to research published in September conducted by the University at Buffalo, the portrayal of women – and men – in popular media has moved from depicting celebrities and models as “sexy” to sexualizing them in terms of portraying them as ready and available for sex and as passive objects.  This is problematic because it showcases a decisive narrowing of media representations – particularly of women. 

Sexualized portrayals of women have been found to legitimize or exacerbate violence against women and girls as well as sexual harassment and anti-women attitudes among men and boys.  Other negative consequences of this cultural shift are increased rates of body dissatisfaction, eating disorders, depression and suicide.  The study also found an alarming increase in frequency and intensity of sexualized images in the media and pop culture over the past 20 years.

When do we as a society say enough – things have gone too far?  When do we as a society stand up and start attacking this problem?  When do we as a society refuse to watch television and movies or purchase music and magazines that promote violent behaviors and portray people as sexualized objects? 

Susan G. Komen has helped to turn October into a global attack on breast cancer.  With the myriad of pink adorning football fields, grocery stores and television commercials during the month of October, it is hard to imagine that the issue of violence against women – and for that matter men, youth and children – is being recognized during the month as well. 

Not discounting the need to generate awareness regarding the 183,000 women who are diagnosed with breast cancer each year or the 1 in 8 women who will be affected by the disease in their lifetime, I would like to point out that 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are affected by domestic violence each year and 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men will be affected by domestic violence in their lifetime.  On average, more than three women are murdered by their intimate partners every day.

Additionally, according to the National Crime Victimization Survey conducted in 2006, more than 600 women are raped or sexually assaulted every day.  The Justice Department estimates that 1 in 5 women will experience rape or attempted rape during their college years and that less than 5% of these rapes will be reported.  When looking at teen statistics, 1 in 5 female high school students reports being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner and 1 in 3 teens report knowing a friend or peer who has been hit, punched, slapped, choked or physically hurt by their partner.  1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused before they reach the age of 18. 

Violence against women cost companies $72.8 million annually due to lost productivity alone and most murder-suicides with three or more victims involve a “family annihilator” which falls under the umbrella of domestic violence.  These frightening statistics are just a few of the many that can be recited. 

Given the widespread devastating effects of domestic violence and sexual violence, it is hard to believe that the nation is not saying enough – this must change.  Even just taking into consideration the effects of these issues on our youth, our future leaders and influencers, we should be motivated to initiate change.  As we adorn our pink for the global fight against breast cancer, let it also be a reminder that there is also a global fight being made to eliminate violence.

By Editorial, Friday, October 28,8:00 PM

IN 2009, ONE-FOURTH of the District’s 144 homicides were linked to abusive relationships. The following year, according to the advocacy group D. C. Safe, the number of domestic-violence homicides fell by half.

In Maryland, there has been a 41 percent drop in the number of homicides linked to domestic violence over the past three years. 

The rate of violent crime overall has been declining, but not that fast. The dramatic drop in domestic-violence deaths in Maryland and the District is due largely to a simple but effective tool that helps identify women most at risk of being killed by their husbands or boyfriends. It is a tool that, if used nationwide, could save hundreds of the approximately 1,200 women killed every year by partners or former partners.

To read more click on the link below.

Preventing murder

An award for the window contest was presented at our Domestic Violence Rally “Paint For Peace” art show at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.  The winner of our Paint For Peace window contest was COMMUNITY ALTERNATIVES with 901 votes.  CONGRATULATIONS!!

We also sponsored a calendar contest in which the winner’s art work would be published in a 2012 calendar which is for sale at the Crisis Shelter.  The winning artwork for the calendar is pictured below.

First place winner was Ally Fuhs;  second place winner was Emily Maxwell; and third place winner was Noah Baumis. Congratulations everyone!