Up-to-date info to help in your work with crime victims with developmental disabilities

Summer Greetings!

At LONG last and after more than 15 years of systems advocacy, mandatory reporting of all crimes against ALL citizens with I/DD will be the law in Colorado effective July 1.  THIS July 1!  And the exciting but often tumultuous ride of how to implement the law most effectively and efficiently in respect of victim rights and with the goal of offender accountability is underway.  If you live in a state that has previously implemented mandatory reporting of all crimes against all citizens with I/DD and you have words of wisdom for us as we continue to support our partners in justice with their new mandate, drop me a note -- [email protected].  We appreciate the continued support of Nancy Alterio, Sgt. Timothy Grant, and Beth Dunphy Farris, Esq. from the Massachusetts  Building Partnerships for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities Initiative leadership team --- rock stars, all!

And is always the case, if you think we might be able to help you, let us know that, too.

Time to rejuvenate and refresh is so important to our work...  Here's hoping summer offers you some!

Jean Solis
Editor and Director of Marketing and Development
 
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Resources
(Tools to help us in our work to address crime victimization of people with I/DD in our communities)

The Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) has recently released A National Protocol for Sexual Abuse Medical Forensic Examinations-Pediatric (Pediatric SAFE Protocol). This new Pediatric SAFE Protocol provides evidence-based, trauma-informed recommendations for health care providers who conduct sexual abuse medical forensic examinations of children, including children with disabilities.  It offers guidance for professionals and agencies-including law enforcement, prosecutors, crime lab personnel, victim advocates, and child advocacy centers-for facilitating medical forensic care when working with health care providers in cases of sexual abuse of all children, including those with disabilities.

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) has released the 2016 National Crime Victims' Rights Week (NCVRW) Crime and Victimization Fact Sheets,
which are available in both English and Spanish. These Fact Sheets are a resource for victim service providers and allied professionals to raise awareness of victims' issues beyond NCVRW and throughout the year. One of the fact sheets provides data on Crimes Against Persons with Disabilities.
Opportunities
(Activities for engagement to help improve our work to address crime victimization of people with I/DD in our communities)

Ending Violence Against Women International (EVAWI) is hosting a 90 minute webinar, Digital Evidence: Successfully identifying and acquiring electronic evidence to combat the CSI effect , on Tuesday, July 12th at 12:00 PM. There is no cost to register and participate.  Sex Crimes investigations have changed significantly in recent years.  Some of the positive changes are a result of a better understanding of the impact of trauma on sexual assault victims and how to incorporate that knowledge into Department policies, procedures and protocols.  However, another aspect to improving investigations and prosecutions is educating first responders and investigators about the complexity of these investigations and what steps can be taken to improve case outcomes.   Click here to read more and register.

June 30, 2016 / 2:00-3:30 pm EST
Social media has become central in today's society. It provides individuals with a space to connect with others, and to share and obtain information. People with disabilities and Deaf people are no exception. Many people with disabilities rely on technology to communicate and navigate the world. While they can be powerful tools for engagement and knowledge, it is important to consider the safety implications of technology, especially for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. Building on the information shared in the webinar "Engaging People with Disabilities Through Social Media," in this webinar the experts from the National Network to End Domestic Violence will focus on understanding how technology is commonly misused, steps survivors can take to document abuse, and strategies for increasing privacy and safety online. Learn more about this event.  Register now!

Offered by the Vera Institute of Justice on July 12, 2016 / 2:00-3:30 pm EST
Assistive technology includes a broad range of devices that are used to
increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. While assistive technology is a vital part of promoting independence in the life of a person with a disability, it can also be a way for an abusive person to target that person.  During this presentation, participants will learn about common assistive technology devices, ways that abusers may use those devices to compromise safety, and how to promote the safe usage of these devices. Learn more about this event. Register now! 
Articles
(Abuse of people with I/DD occurs throughout the country, including in our own communities...)

White Dietrich Football Players Accused of Raping Mentally Disabled Black Teammate in Locker Room
The parents of a Dietrich student have filed a $10 million lawsuit against the Dietrich School District, charging the school failed to protect their son from escalating racially-based harassment and assaults that culminated in the teen being brutally raped with a coat hanger by fellow members of the football team... IDAHO - May 25, 2016 - KTVB TV

Texas Mother Gets 6 years for Neglecting Disabled Daughter 
A judge has sentenced a North Texas woman to six years in prison for neglecting her disabled adult daughter and keeping her in a large crib in filthy ...TEXAS - May 24, 2016 - KTRK-TV

TBI Charges Caretaker with Assaulting Autistic Patient 
... along with investigators with the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Adult Protective Services, developed information that ... TENNESSEE - May 23, 2016 - WTVC

Justice Department Reaches Extension Agreement to Improve Georgia's Developmental Disability and Mental Health System
... The Justice Department today announced that it has entered into an extension agreement with the state of Georgia to improve the quality and availability of services for people with developmental disabilities living in the community... The department found in 2009 that Georgia was forcing people with disabilities into state hospitals instead of providing community-based services, in violation of the ADA's integration requirements. In January, the department alleged that Georgia was not in compliance with the 2010 agreement, both regarding helping people move from institutions into their communities and regarding quality and oversight of community-based services. GEORGIA - May 18, 2016 - DOJ

Foster Mom Arrested on Battery Charges  
A foster mom from Pearl River is accused of battering three special needs adults in her care, according to the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office. LOUISIANA - May 17, 2016 - WWLTV.com

NC Teen Sentenced to 12 Years for Sex Crimes Against Autistic Boy 
A Burke County teen was sentenced to at least 12 years in prison for sex crimes against a 12-year-old autistic boy.  NORTH CAROLINA  --- WNCN --- May 6, 2016

Cops: Cobb Caregiver Allowed Drug Activity in Home of Disabled Patient Marietta police have arrested a caregiver accused of allowing drug activity in the home of his disabled patient. James Menefee was hired to maintain the residence and be the man's 24-hour caregiver, Marietta police Officer Jared... GEORGIA - May 5, 2016 - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Pennsylvania Woman Accused of Sexually Abusing Autistic Boy, 5 
Brittany Lepkowski, who Pa. authorities say was on parole, is accused of sexually abusing a 5-year-old boy in Lackawanna County. Worse still, the ... --- PENNSYLVANIA --  PennLive.com --- May 5, 2016

UPDATE: Charge Dismissed in Alleged Abuse of Disabled Man 
...Investigators said the video showed Hardwick body slamming the man, as well dragging him and throwing him around the room multiple times. This week, the charge against Hardwick, abuse or neglect of an incapacitated adult was dropped. WEST VIRGINIA - May 5, 2016 - WSAZ3

Teacher Suspended After 5-Year-Old Special Needs Student Hung from Blackboard by Beltloops
There's outrage in Rockdale County over claims that a 5-year-old special needs student was hung from a ...  GEORGIA  ---  11alive.com --- May 4, 2016

Man Allegedly Followed, Groped Autistic Woman, 20, in West Hollywood Sheriff's deputies say this man allegedly followed an autistic woman home from a bus stop in West Hollywood and groped her on April 17, 2016. CALIFORNIA  --- KABC-TV --- May 5, 2016

Nearly Freed Inmate Who Plotted Disabled Teen's Sex Assault Stays Locked Up 
A prisoner's plot to sexually assault a teen after his 15-year prison sentence ended will keep him locked up for decades. MICHIGAN  --- MLive.com --- May 3, 2016

Investigation of Rape of Special Needs Student Underway at Albany Middle School 
Dougherty County School Police are investigating the report of the rape of a special needs student at Albany Middle School. School officials say the ...  GEORGIA  --- WALB-TV --- May 3, 2016

Mom Says Nurse Abused Special Needs Son 
Police in Converse have launched an investigation after a mother discovered video of a male nurse and her young special needs ...  TEXAS --- WOAI --- May 3, 2016

Hawaii Schools Slammed over Special Ed Student's Alleged Rape
"It sends a clear, resounding message to the DOE that they have to pay closer attention to the special needs children and take care of them," said one ...  HAWAII  --- CBS News --- May 3, 2016

3 Families File Lawsuit After Allegations of Abuse at Bronx Group Home for Disabled Adults 
The allegations of abuse are gruesome and inhumane. Patients with disabilities, living in a group home, were punched, shoved, and had ... NEW YORK  --- WABC-TV --- May 2, 2016

Rhode Island Man Pleads Guilty in Slaying of Autistic Man 
A Rhode Island man has been sentenced to up to 35 years in prison for killing an autistic Massachusetts man in a motel ... MASSACHUSETTS --- Washington Times --- May 2, 2016
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