Kits help document domestic abuse and sexual assault cases
By Genevieve Reilly, Staff Writer FAIRFIELD — A woman calls the police. Her husband, she says, is beating her. The cops arrive on the scene to find the victim sporting bruises on her arms. State law requires the husband be arrested, but the wife turns into a reluctant witness. A written report may describe the bruising, but bruises fade as cases make their way through the court system. “Minimization is one of the biggest things that is used by the defense,” said Ken Edwards, an investigator with the state’s attorney’s office. “They’ll say, `oh, it wasn’t that bad,’ and the prosecutor doesn’t have an idea of how bad it was.” Ctpost.com
Program Director, Emergency Shelter Services (Dallas)
The Family Place in Dallas is seeking a Program Director for Emergency Shelter Services. Monitor, evaluate and provide supervision for all counseling and case management services provided to clients who enter the emergency shelter services program. Supervise support groups, case management and assessments of hotline calls. Review case files for service delivery and appropriate documentation. Requirements: Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology or Counseling with a current LMSW or LPC. 3+ Years clinical experience, preferably working with victims of domestic violence. 2+ Years experience in program management supervision. Counseling and group experience essential. Excellent leadership and communication skills. Submit resume and cover letter, including salary requirements, to human-resources@familyplace.org or fax to 214.599.0277.
Question Form Can Save Lives of Domestic Violence Victims
March 5, 2010 Yuma, AZ — A few yes or no questions can help save the life of a domestic violence victim. The questionnaires are called lethality assessments, and researchers at Johns Hopkins University have just approved new version to help first responders identify the level of risk for every domestic violence victim. Amberly’s Place Executive Director Diane Umphress says her agency has been using a similar form for years. She says marking a simple check-box can change the way a victim views her situation. “So by looking at how many boxes are checked hopefully that’s a tool for them to see wait a minute things have really got a lot further out of hand,” says Umphress. Kswt.com
?New Domestic Violence Survey Shows Critical Shortage in Funding for Domestic Violence Victims in Texas?
Over 5,000 Victims Served in One Day – Hundreds of Victims Needs Unmet Austin, Texas ? March 8, 2010 ? A snapshot of the ?State of Domestic Violence in Texas? captured in a new survey released today by the National Network to End Domestic Violence shows many domestic violence programs across Texas have a critical shortage of funds and staff to assist victims in need of services. The 24-Hour Census of Domestic Violence Shelters and Services shows that nearly 100 programs across the state are serving thousands of victims every day in Texas. On September 15, 2009, the day of the survey, more than 5,000 victims of domestic violence were served in one day. Texans in need found refuge in emergency shelters, transitional housing and received assistance and services, including individual counseling, legal advocacy and children?s support. Every hour — hotlines, which are a lifeline to victims in danger, provided support, information and safety planning to 83 callers totaling nearly 2,000 callers in a 24-hour period. But, the one-day survey also shows that nearly 800 requests for domestic violence services were unmet because local programs were unable to provide services because there was not enough funding or staff to handle the requests for services. ? ” This report is extremely poignant in providing a snapshot into domestic violence services in Texas and in every state across the country,” said Gloria A. Terry, TCFV’s president. “The survey shows that Texans are doing a great job serving thousands of victims of domestic violence in Texas everyday, but, it also shows we must continue to work to secure additional funds for victims of domestic violence in Texas.? 90 out of 103, or 87% of identified local domestic violence programs in Texas participated in the 2009 National Census of Domestic Violence Services. ### The National Census of Domestic Violence Services (Census) is an annual noninvasive, unduplicated count of adults and children who seek services from U.S. domestic violence shelter programs during a single 24-hour survey period. Conducted annually by NNEDV since 2006, this Census takes into account the dangerous nature of domestic violence by using a survey designed to protect the confidentiality and safety of victims. Texas Council on Family Violence is a statewide organization representing a network of domestic violence programs that provide direct services to victims and their families, and serves as the voice of victims at the state level while working with local communities to create strategies to prevent family violence. Visit us online at http://www.tcfv.org/ Contact: Susan Risdon, redmedia@tcfv.org 512-492-2405
Battering Intervention and Prevention Program Annual Conference
The Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV) Annual Statewide BIPP Conference explores strategies BIPP staff and other professionals (such as Community Supervision and Corrections Department officers, district attorneys, judges, and other law enforcement personnel) can use to hold family violence offenders accountable. The conference emphasizes the benefits of community collaboration, innovative techniques of facilitation and working together effectively and seamlessly to ensure offenders are held accountable. The TCFV BIPP Conference is a two-day training for law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, probation officers, BIPP facilitators, coordinators, program directors and licensed professionals who will be/are providing direct services to family violence offenders or who directly supervise staff members who work directly with offenders. BIPP Annual Statewide Conference April 9-10, 2010 Austin Marriott South 4415 South IH-35 Austin, Texas 78744 CONFERENCE DETAILS Please Click Here to Register by Mail or Fax Please Click Here to Register Online Deadline is March 26, 2010 Conference Fees: ? Members: $75/person ? Non Members: $100/person ? Members save when bundling with BIPP Educational Series. All three are $500/person. ? Onsite conference registration available, if not at capacity. Hotels and Meals Hotel Reservations: Room Rates Single: $85 Double: $115 Phone: 1-512-441-7900 Fax: 1-512-441-7899 Toll-Free: 1-888-236-2427 ? Refreshments provided; lunch is on your own ? Attendees reserve a room directly with Marriott reservations at the number(s) below. ? The deadline for room reservations is Wednesday, March 19, 2010. ? When calling, please indicate you are with the ?Texas Council on Family Violence BIPP Annual Conference? For more information, please contact: Rachel Moore, Family Violence Services Coordinator 1 (800) 525-1978 rmoore@tcfv.org
Have an old purse? Donate it to fight domestic violence
Travis County Sheriff Greg Hamilton is asking women to donate their old handbags to help victims of domestic violence. His office is teaming up with the Texas Advocacy Project for a campaign called Handbags for Hope. Organizers collect purses and distribute them on Mother’s Day. Each bag includes a packet with pamphlets and phone numbers for agencies they may need. If you have old purse you can donate, drop it off at the sheriff’s office at 5555 Airport Boulevard. Kvue.com
Advocacy Specialist (San Marcos)
Hays-Caldwell Women?s Ctr in San Marcos seeks Master?s in Social Work with 2 + years experience (REQUIRED) to supervise University interns, provide advocacy, crisis services, and case management to adult victims of abuse. Experience working directly with people and multi-tasking skills are essential. Spanish speaking preferred. Salary range $32,000 – $34,000 depending on licensure and experience. Great opportunity to acquire direct service hours for those seeking licensure. For app: 512-396-3404 or mducote@hcwc.org. Open until filled/EOE.
Advocate (San Marcos)
Hays-Caldwell Women?s Center in San Marcos seeks person to provide advocacy, crisis services, & case management for adult victims of abuse. Must be knowledgeable about resources & community services. Exp. working directly w/people and multi-tasking skills are essential. Some evenings possible. Spanish speaking preferred. Salary $29,400 (Additional $500 for bilingual and $500 for applicable Master?s degree). For app: 512-396-3404 or mducote@hcwc.org. Open until filled/EOE.
Domestic violence, animal abuse linked
ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – The connection between domestic violence and animal abuse is a big, ongoing problem in New Mexico, and a number of different groups are trying desperately to call attention to it. Many people refer to it as “The Link.” “It’s been a recognized phenomenon for hundreds of years, but we still have a lot of folks that don’t know about it,” said Tammy Fiebelkorn, a volunteer with the annual governor’s conference focused on the phenomenon. Numerous studies show domestic violence offenders often use violence against animals as a way to torture their human victims while asserting power and control. Between 50 and 71 percent of women seeking shelter from domestic violence reported their abuser had hurt or killed at least one family pet. Krqe.com
Panel ponders justice system?s handling of crimes born of domestic abuse
By Hanna Roos Thousands of women sit in prison because they fought back against an abusive person in their lives, but they don’t always get to share their stories in court, said panelists Feb. 24 at the Cornell Law School. “Physical, sexual and psychological violence are fundamental, underlying reasons for women’s incarceration,” said panelist Tamar Kraft-Stolar, director of the Women in Prison Project at the Correctional Association of New York, a nonprofit criminal justice policy advocacy organization, speaking at the event “Barriers to Justice Faced by Domestic Violence Survivors as Criminal Defendants and Incarcerated Women.” news.cornell.edu