Leaders of a local violence prevention coalition are urging parents to use caution and common sense to help their little boys and ghouls have a safe Halloween.
“Trick-or-treating is supposed to be fun-filled, and it’s a Halloween tradition for many Rice County families,” said Erica Staab, executive director of the Hope Center in Faribault, which works to end domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault. “Using common sense can prevent injuries and help keep kids safe.”
Older children might be able to make their rounds without parental supervision, but they always should travel in groups, Staab said.
Parents should accompany younger children as a precaution, Staab said. Drive slowly and enter and exit driveways carefully. Drivers also need to be on the lookout for children who might dart between parked cars or out into the street.
Teens and adults also should avoid making and taking calls on cell phones and texting while driving. A study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found people driving cars were 2.8 times more likely to be involved in a crash while having cell phone conversations. People who used text messaging were 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash.
Here are some other tips to help make Halloween safe:
Costumes:
• Alter costumes that are too long to reduce the likelihood of a child tripping and falling
• Make sure masks do not obstruct vision; face paint is a good alternative
• Wear reflective fabric or tape to boost visibility
• Dress appropriately for the weather
Before heading out:
• Plan a route and make sure adults know where older children plan to go
• Stress the importance of visiting well-lit houses of neighbors, friends, relatives and acquaintances
• Set expectations for when children should return home
• Instruct children not to eat candy before parents have a chance to inspect it. This can prevent unintended exposure to food allergens and possible tampering. Documented instances of tampering with candy are rare.
While out:
• Carry a flashlight
• Stay in populated areas
• Look both ways before crossing streets; use crosswalks
— Source: HOPE Center and Amy Olson, volunteer
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Sexting... and other things from this week...
Monday was spent in Mankato looking with the Office on Justice Programs and other local providers at Best Practices, what does that mean, what does it look like for us and how would we use these to help enhance our work.
Tuesday was a subcommittee meeting of the SMART team, looking at monitoring and evaluation, how we collect data, what we look at etc. and we made some progress in that meeting. And the evening was spent with the our Volunteer Advocates who are almost done with their training for the Safeline and helping out at HOPE Center. We are thrilled to say that at this point there is 24 advocates that are almost through with the 40 hour training!
There was an article in the paper today about 2 level 3 Sex Offenders moving to the area, http://faribault.com/news.php?viewStory=94929, a community notification meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Faribault City Hall Council Chambers, 208 First Ave. N.W. so as always that will generate a lot of conversation about our community, the safety of its residents, victims' rights, offender's rights... and in the meantime we are here to answer questions you may have about any of that, and the local police department is as well.
For lunch I met with a friend who is currently in the midst of some job transition and is going to use her journalism skills and expertise to help out HOPE Center, and we are so excited to have her help us out! Last year we had around 600 hours of volunteer time, and this year we have already had well over 700, and the end of the year is still a few months away! We GREATLY appreciate all of the volunteers that we have and for all that they have given to HOPE Center.
This afternoon I am presenting to a local church youth group, talking about HOPE Center, who we are, what we do and looking at cyberbulling, sexting and healthy relationships... and in doing some research for that presentation I came across these scary statistics from youth around the issue of sexting... Keep in mind these laws are specific to PA, but the stats are from a nationwide survey... http://www.tesd.k12.pa.us/tems/appliedtech/Sexting-posting.pdf
“Sexting” is a growing problem:
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and Cosmogirl.com
recently published results of a “sex and tech” survey which explored the connection
between teen sex and cyberspace (October 2008). The survey polled 1280 teens and
young adults between the ages of 13 and 26 about their cell phone, computer and digital
device behaviors and attitudes. The results are disturbing:
The % of teenagers who have sent or posted nude or semi-nude pictures or video of
themselves:
20% of teenagers overall
22% of teen girls
18% of teen boys
11% of young teen girls ages 13-16
The % of teenagers sending or posting sexually suggestive messages:
39% of all teenagers
37% of teen girls
40% of teen boys
Have you talked to your teens about this issue? If you haven't, let us help. We have resources and ideas on how to best help start that conversation.
Tuesday was a subcommittee meeting of the SMART team, looking at monitoring and evaluation, how we collect data, what we look at etc. and we made some progress in that meeting. And the evening was spent with the our Volunteer Advocates who are almost done with their training for the Safeline and helping out at HOPE Center. We are thrilled to say that at this point there is 24 advocates that are almost through with the 40 hour training!
There was an article in the paper today about 2 level 3 Sex Offenders moving to the area, http://faribault.com/news.php?viewStory=94929, a community notification meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Faribault City Hall Council Chambers, 208 First Ave. N.W. so as always that will generate a lot of conversation about our community, the safety of its residents, victims' rights, offender's rights... and in the meantime we are here to answer questions you may have about any of that, and the local police department is as well.
For lunch I met with a friend who is currently in the midst of some job transition and is going to use her journalism skills and expertise to help out HOPE Center, and we are so excited to have her help us out! Last year we had around 600 hours of volunteer time, and this year we have already had well over 700, and the end of the year is still a few months away! We GREATLY appreciate all of the volunteers that we have and for all that they have given to HOPE Center.
This afternoon I am presenting to a local church youth group, talking about HOPE Center, who we are, what we do and looking at cyberbulling, sexting and healthy relationships... and in doing some research for that presentation I came across these scary statistics from youth around the issue of sexting... Keep in mind these laws are specific to PA, but the stats are from a nationwide survey... http://www.tesd.k12.pa.us/tems/appliedtech/Sexting-posting.pdf
“Sexting” is a growing problem:
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and Cosmogirl.com
recently published results of a “sex and tech” survey which explored the connection
between teen sex and cyberspace (October 2008). The survey polled 1280 teens and
young adults between the ages of 13 and 26 about their cell phone, computer and digital
device behaviors and attitudes. The results are disturbing:
The % of teenagers who have sent or posted nude or semi-nude pictures or video of
themselves:
20% of teenagers overall
22% of teen girls
18% of teen boys
11% of young teen girls ages 13-16
The % of teenagers sending or posting sexually suggestive messages:
39% of all teenagers
37% of teen girls
40% of teen boys
Have you talked to your teens about this issue? If you haven't, let us help. We have resources and ideas on how to best help start that conversation.
Friday, October 23, 2009
A busy week...
Lots of complex cases, some great breakthroughs, some good lessons... all in a week's work here at HOPE Center :).
We are thrilled that the Minnesota Department of Health has created a new website around Sexual Violence Prevention... so now people can get a sense of what is happening at the Statewide level around prevention of sexual violence... what is working, what isn't... and how the community can come together to Imagine a World Without Sexual Violence.
http://www.health.state.mn.us/svp/
This was a collaborative effort of many amazing people around the state and it is exciting to see people coming together to discuss what Minnesota would look like without living with the fear of sexual violence.
We are thrilled that the Minnesota Department of Health has created a new website around Sexual Violence Prevention... so now people can get a sense of what is happening at the Statewide level around prevention of sexual violence... what is working, what isn't... and how the community can come together to Imagine a World Without Sexual Violence.
http://www.health.state.mn.us/svp/
This was a collaborative effort of many amazing people around the state and it is exciting to see people coming together to discuss what Minnesota would look like without living with the fear of sexual violence.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Candlelight Vigil...
Today started early, with speaking to the Kiwanas Club at 6:45 am. And this time I was lucky enough to be joined by a board member to help me speak to what HOPE Center does, who we help and why community involvment is so important.
And although mornings are not my thing :), speaking to Service Clubs is one of my favorite things. Getting a chance to speak to a group of people that are committed to service, that meet together to figure out how to get things done, people who put their ideals into action. Those are my kind of people!
Now on to the rest of the day and getting things ready for the Candlelight Vigil in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month at the Courthouse this evening at 6pm. We hope to see you there!
And although mornings are not my thing :), speaking to Service Clubs is one of my favorite things. Getting a chance to speak to a group of people that are committed to service, that meet together to figure out how to get things done, people who put their ideals into action. Those are my kind of people!
Now on to the rest of the day and getting things ready for the Candlelight Vigil in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month at the Courthouse this evening at 6pm. We hope to see you there!
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Great Coverage!
There was some great coverage in the Faribault Daily News the past few days...
A Brave Woman shares her story...
http://faribault.com/news.php?viewStory=94546
Vigil Recognizes Domestic Abuse
http://faribault.com/news.php?viewStory=94547
Protect Victims of Domestic Violence
http://faribault.com/news.php?viewStory=94590
A Brave Woman shares her story...
http://faribault.com/news.php?viewStory=94546
Vigil Recognizes Domestic Abuse
http://faribault.com/news.php?viewStory=94547
Protect Victims of Domestic Violence
http://faribault.com/news.php?viewStory=94590
Thursday, October 8, 2009
A little more...
Yesterday was the celebration of Ruth's House being open for 5 years and the kickoff of the United Way Campaign at Business Before Hours for the Faribault Chamber. A chance to get together and hear what is happening with local businesses and non-profits.
Then a short staff meeting, an interview with the Daily News about our Vigil and other October events, working with a college class that is putting together brochures for us, doing some mentoring with other small non-profit directors and a chance to enjoy the fall colors later on in the day!
Today the SMART [Sexual Assault Multidisciplinary Action Response Team] evaluation sub-committee met to look at how to monitor and evaluate what we have been doing and to determine next steps. Then an interview with a college student for her paper on Public Health issues and how domestic violence affects women and children as well as the population as a whole.
I have also been doing some research for various projects and people and came across this great article: 10 Dynamics of Poverty By Ruby K. Payne
http://www.naesp.org/resources/2/Leadership_Compass/2008/LC2009v6n4a2.pdf
Welcome October!
Then a short staff meeting, an interview with the Daily News about our Vigil and other October events, working with a college class that is putting together brochures for us, doing some mentoring with other small non-profit directors and a chance to enjoy the fall colors later on in the day!
Today the SMART [Sexual Assault Multidisciplinary Action Response Team] evaluation sub-committee met to look at how to monitor and evaluate what we have been doing and to determine next steps. Then an interview with a college student for her paper on Public Health issues and how domestic violence affects women and children as well as the population as a whole.
I have also been doing some research for various projects and people and came across this great article: 10 Dynamics of Poverty By Ruby K. Payne
http://www.naesp.org/resources/2/Leadership_Compass/2008/LC2009v6n4a2.pdf
Welcome October!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Domestic Violence Awareness Month...
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month!! [DVAM]
See our website for lots of information on how to join us in many of the events we have coming up soon!!
www.hopecentermn.org
Today I was inspired by the many people who responded to the needs that we have put forth recently. We have been working with several families who were in need of children's clothing and within minutes of sending out the e-mail with the need we have had people step up and respond. It is so wonderful to be a part of such a giving community!
Recently I have been reminded of all the little ways that we come together to support each other. The tellers at the State Bank set out a collection jar for us to help us with the needs we didn't meet for the clients we had, I had a jewelry sale where 10% of the proceeds benefited HOPE Center, OAK Jewelry which is owned by Marypat Habermas and has beautiful handcrafted jewelry has consistently donated 10% of her proceeds to HOPE Center as well... http://home.earthlink.net/~oakjewelry/, Kids Avenue put up our needs list, and many individuals offered to help in whatever ways they could. This is one of the best parts about my job!
The importance of us coming together was also the theme from an e-mail I received today from the Office on Violence Against Women talking about DVAM activities across the country.
As President Obama states, “Together, we must ensure that, in America, no victim of domestic violence ever struggles alone." Therefore, we, as agents of social change, must elevate the conversation so that Americans understand that violence against women and girls is unacceptable in our homes, schools, and communities – stretching as far north as our Native Alaska villages and as far west as the American Samoa territory.
Violence against women is the seed to so many other forms of violence. This shift must happen because violence against women continues to have devastating effects on entire communities. When children witness violence in the home, those children are impacted by what they have seen and often experienced themselves. Therefore, all members of the community must be engaged to end the violence. Parents, grandparents, siblings, co-workers, coaches, mentors, teachers, religious leaders, must all be involved.
Here is the National Proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/2009domvio_prc_rel.pdf
See our website for lots of information on how to join us in many of the events we have coming up soon!!
www.hopecentermn.org
Today I was inspired by the many people who responded to the needs that we have put forth recently. We have been working with several families who were in need of children's clothing and within minutes of sending out the e-mail with the need we have had people step up and respond. It is so wonderful to be a part of such a giving community!
Recently I have been reminded of all the little ways that we come together to support each other. The tellers at the State Bank set out a collection jar for us to help us with the needs we didn't meet for the clients we had, I had a jewelry sale where 10% of the proceeds benefited HOPE Center, OAK Jewelry which is owned by Marypat Habermas and has beautiful handcrafted jewelry has consistently donated 10% of her proceeds to HOPE Center as well... http://home.earthlink.net/~oakjewelry/, Kids Avenue put up our needs list, and many individuals offered to help in whatever ways they could. This is one of the best parts about my job!
The importance of us coming together was also the theme from an e-mail I received today from the Office on Violence Against Women talking about DVAM activities across the country.
As President Obama states, “Together, we must ensure that, in America, no victim of domestic violence ever struggles alone." Therefore, we, as agents of social change, must elevate the conversation so that Americans understand that violence against women and girls is unacceptable in our homes, schools, and communities – stretching as far north as our Native Alaska villages and as far west as the American Samoa territory.
Violence against women is the seed to so many other forms of violence. This shift must happen because violence against women continues to have devastating effects on entire communities. When children witness violence in the home, those children are impacted by what they have seen and often experienced themselves. Therefore, all members of the community must be engaged to end the violence. Parents, grandparents, siblings, co-workers, coaches, mentors, teachers, religious leaders, must all be involved.
Here is the National Proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/assets/documents/2009domvio_prc_rel.pdf
Friday, October 2, 2009
Why it affects us all...
Here is a well articulated piece on why rape affects us all...
But rape isn't just a crime against one person, and we don't prosecute it in order to fulfill any one victim's needs or wishes. Rape is a crime against the social fabric that binds all of us together. The act violates what should be one of our core values as a civilization: that every person of every gender and age has the right to bodily autonomy -- to basic safety in our bodies. When that right is violated and the perpetrator goes unpunished, it makes all of us less safe. Not just because there's one more rapist on the loose, but because that lack of accountability sends a message to other would-be rapists: Go ahead and rape someone. The rest of us don't care that much, as long as it's not us or someone we love. In this case, we might add a caveat: Especially if you're rich and talented and have powerful friends.Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jaclyn-friedman/we-are-all-polanskis-vict_b_306211.html
But rape isn't just a crime against one person, and we don't prosecute it in order to fulfill any one victim's needs or wishes. Rape is a crime against the social fabric that binds all of us together. The act violates what should be one of our core values as a civilization: that every person of every gender and age has the right to bodily autonomy -- to basic safety in our bodies. When that right is violated and the perpetrator goes unpunished, it makes all of us less safe. Not just because there's one more rapist on the loose, but because that lack of accountability sends a message to other would-be rapists: Go ahead and rape someone. The rest of us don't care that much, as long as it's not us or someone we love. In this case, we might add a caveat: Especially if you're rich and talented and have powerful friends.Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jaclyn-friedman/we-are-all-polanskis-vict_b_306211.html
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Whew... A Busy Day!
A busy day for the director yesterday... lots to do.
The day started with learning more about Project Home and some of their resources, getting a chance to connect and see what we could do. It is amazing to realize how many agencies are working together to help provide services to those most in need in our community.
Then on to the Northfield United Way Kick-Off to be able to express our gratitude for the grat campaign last year and how important the United Way funds are to our agency, then off to a short staff meeting, then off to present on Healthy Relationships to 50 7th and 8th graders at Trondjhem Lutheran Church.
Wow! Were the kids full of energy :). We had a great time discussing healthy boundaries, what a healthy relationship looks like and talking about respect. We watched a 13 min. video (you can click here to watch) http://www.chooserespect.org/scripts/materials/videos/video_13min.asp I had the kids do a skit around whatever boundary their group had, emotional, physical, intellectual etc. The kids had a great time, lots of giggling and some great and not so great acting :). But we had fun and each person hopefully walked away with a little more information than they had before.
The day started with learning more about Project Home and some of their resources, getting a chance to connect and see what we could do. It is amazing to realize how many agencies are working together to help provide services to those most in need in our community.
Then on to the Northfield United Way Kick-Off to be able to express our gratitude for the grat campaign last year and how important the United Way funds are to our agency, then off to a short staff meeting, then off to present on Healthy Relationships to 50 7th and 8th graders at Trondjhem Lutheran Church.
Wow! Were the kids full of energy :). We had a great time discussing healthy boundaries, what a healthy relationship looks like and talking about respect. We watched a 13 min. video (you can click here to watch) http://www.chooserespect.org/scripts/materials/videos/video_13min.asp I had the kids do a skit around whatever boundary their group had, emotional, physical, intellectual etc. The kids had a great time, lots of giggling and some great and not so great acting :). But we had fun and each person hopefully walked away with a little more information than they had before.
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