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Vol./Year 8, No. 3
Vulnerability Trail Newsletter
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Greetings!
Sustained work to affect systems change is tough. What brought this to mind (most recently) is earlier this week when The Arc of Aurora Executive Director Darla Stuart and I were talking about The Arc of Aurora's journey working to improve access to justice for crime victims with I/DDs. We reminisced about the many partners around the country we've had on that journey (Leigh Ann and The Arc US, Nora Baladerian, Ph.D., Scott Modell, Ph.D., the Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime, to name a few) and then reveled in thanks for our local partners (Aurora Police Department, SungateKids, arc Thrift Stores, Aurora Victim Witness Advisory Board, to name a few). We concluded agreeing with the African proverb, "It takes a whole village to raise a child."
But we also identified other things it takes to sustain systems change work, things such as:
- vision
- tenacity
- funding (your own +)
- tenacity
- discipline (to stick with the issue and your goals)
- Oh, and did we say tenacity?
On those days when it feels more difficult than on others to stay your course for improved access to justice for those you serve, give us a call. We'll commiserate. We'll also reinforce the value of your work. We'll encourage your tenacity. We'll offer suggestions if we have them and you want them.
Oh, and did we say we are ...
Tenaciously yours?
Jean Solis
Editor and Director of Marketing and Development
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(Tools to help us in our work to address crime victimization of people with I/DD in our communities)
VAWA 2013 Provision Deadline is March 2016 -- EVAWI Bulletin of Update
The 2013 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) included many new provisions, but two focused specifically on the topic of forensic compliance. One clarified that victims cannot be required to pay any out-of-pocket costs to obtain a medical forensic exam. The second requires public outreach to ensure that community members know sexual assault victims can obtain a medical forensic exam free of charge and regardless of whether or not they participate in the criminal justice process.
The deadline for compliance with these two new provisions is March 7th, 2016. In this bulletin, Ending Violence Against Women International (EVAWI) staff offer more detailed information as well as resources we can use to ensure that our communities are in compliance with these two new VAWA provisions.
VictimConnect Resource Center
The VictimConnect Resource Center is a place for crime victims to learn about their rights and options confidentially and compassionately. Operated by the National Center for Victims of Crime, VictimConnect offers a toll-free telephone helpline (855-4-VICTIM), an innovative online chat, referrals, and additional resources. Whether by chat or phone, trained specialists are available to assist victims of crime.
2016 NCVRW Resource Guide is Now Available Online
The Department of Justice Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) has released its 2016 National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) (April 10-16) Resource
Guide. The Guide is an extensive online resource, providing all of the materials necessary to promote NCVRW within your community, including a variety of campaign materials in both English and Spanish, planning tips, a theme poster and video, artwork, and more. Access the Resource Guide
here.
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Opportunities
(Activities for engagement to help improve our work to address crime victimization of people with I/DD in our communities)
Webinar Announcement! Alternative Reporting Options for Sexual Assault: An Overview of the You Have Options Program
Presented by Detective Carrie Hull and Christia Currie
Wednesday, April 27th -- 90 minutes -- 1:00 PM PT / 2:00 PM MT / 3:00 PM CT / 4:00 PM ET
Course Description
Led by law enforcement professionals working in partnership with victim advocates and experts in the field of sexual assault response and prevention, the aim of the You Have Options Program (YHOP) is to make the law enforcement response to sexual assault more effective. Specifically, YHOP
focuses on changing two fundamental elements in the law enforcement response to sexual violence:
Increasing the number of victims who report to law enforcement,
and thoroughly investigating identified offenders for serial perpetration.
For more information on this webinar sponsored by Ending
Violence Against Women International (EVAWI),
click here
. Or to register for the webinar,
click here.
An abuse/neglect survey, "Justice Denied," from
PAD-CO
is aimed directly at parents/guardians, individuals with disabilities, and those who have observed abuse/neglect of individuals with disabilities
asking for responses in regards to the investigatory and further processes relating to abuse and neglect. The intent of the survey is to give the responders an opportunity to "sound off" and at the same time to gather some info about what happened to those respondents during their neglect/abuse experiences. This IS NOT a statistically accurate sampling. PAD-CO does not have the resources to facilitate that type of research. However, anecdotal research such as this IS a valid sociological form of research, as long as its limitations are understood, which will be made clear in the report. Click here to access the questionnaire.
Gain Knowledge About and Get Involved With Victim Rights
The first step in activating one's rights is knowing them! The National Crime
Victim Law Institute (NCVLI) is committed to increasing awareness of victims' rights. Included in the ways that our community can gain and share knowledge are:
- Digest 101 - The Victims' Rights Digest is an anthology of news affecting victims' rights. It highlights news from around the world and is a great way to stay up-to-date. Click here to sign up and update your preferences to ensure you receive this resource.
- Speakers Bureau - The Victims' Rights Speakers Bureau is a chance to be an ambassador of victims' rights. Ambassadors conduct short presentations in their community on the how, what and why of victims' rights. NCVLI provides a "train the trainer." If you are interested in becoming an ambassador, email [email protected] with the subject line "Speakers Bureau."
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Articles
(Abuse of people with I/DD occurs throughout the country, including in our own communities...)
An Erie caregiver has been indicted by Boulder County's grand jury after prosecutors said she physically abused and failed to properly feed, clean or care for three developmentally disabled men staying in her home. --- March 21, 2016 (COLORADO)
A Long Island foster parent has been accused of sexually abusing at least seven special needs boys placed in his care, prosecutors say. Greg Cergol --- NBC New York --- March 18, 2016 (NEW YORK)
Alabama Middle School "Rape Bait" Case Settled
A teacher's aide had asked the then-14-year-old girl described has having special needs to go into a bathroom at Sparkman Middle so a 16-year-old ... --- CBS News --- March 15, 2016 (ALABAMA)
Lawmakers Look To End 'Monopoly' At Disability Facility
People with severe disabilities in one state often have no choice but to seek care at a single facility that has faced nearly 150 abuse or neglect complaints, but that could soon change. Orlando, FL - March 8, 2016
Toddlers Found Wandering Alone Near Busy Road While Disabled...
A mother and father were charged after their two toddlers were found wandering alone Saturday near a busy, dangerous road ... then found a 34-year-old mentally challenged woman locked in the garage and called police... Houston, TX - March 7, 2016
Parents Sue over Kodiak Police Encounter with Autistic Son
The family of an autistic man restrained in an encounter with Kodiak police is suing the department, city and two law ... --- Washington Times --- February 14, 2016 (ALASKA)
Family of Autistic Girl Testifies Against Former CCSD Bus Driver Accused of Sexual Assault
A former Clark County School District bus driver, accused of sexually assaulting a child now faces more charges. --- News3LV --- February 12, 2016 (NEVADA)
A 7-year-old autistic boy in a special needs classes is handcuffed at his New Port Richey school, and now his mother is demanding changes from the ... --- WTSP 10 News --- February 12, 2016 (FLORIDA)
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Vulnerability Trail Newsletter
is assembled and published by
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