The team at Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County is excited that the Fall season is here and bringing along “cooler” weather with it. October is a busy month in regards to prevention and awareness. Hopefully, this newsletter will serve to be a great resource for you and your team as we push for higher visibility of these issues. We will be highlighting Bullying Prevention Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Red Ribbon Week. Then we’ll be providing some safe Halloween tips and finishing off with our featured story of the month. Thanks for tuning in to the newsletter this month. Stay safe, stay well, Happy Fall, and Happy Halloween! |
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Domestic Violence Awareness Month |
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October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)! While domestic violence is a year-round problem, DVAM is a way to emphasize domestic violence education, share domestic violence resources, and ensure that community members know that this is a community issue, not an individual issue.
Overall, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men have experienced some form of intimate partner violence along with its lasting impacts.1 Additionally, 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.1 When we look at high school students, 8% have experienced physical dating violence and 7% have experienced sexual dating violence.2 In the LGBTQ community, there is a disproportionate experience of domestic violence compared to cisgendered, heterosexual individuals. The LGBTQ population accounts for about 4.5% of the US population yet has domestic violence rates as high as 50%.2 In Texas, there were 211 intimate partner violence (IPV) related homicides (men, women, and LGBTQ) in 2018; a marked increase in IPV-related homicide compared to recent years.4
Visit our Featured Story of the Month section to read more about One Safe Place’s leading role in domestic violence victim advocacy in our community.
Friends for Life is a student-focused program of Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County that is equipped to take anonymous tips on domestic and family violence. If you know someone who is in a domestic/family violence situation, we encourage you to send in an anonymous tip by calling 817-469-8477, going to our website, or using our “CCS FFL” mobile app. As an assurance, the anonymity of tips are protected by state law.
Crime Stoppers is able to take tips on domestic violence offenders, but victims of domestic violence should make their initial report to their local police department. We are NOT a crisis line and if you or someone you know is experiencing a domestic violence emergency please call 911 or One Safe Place at 817-916-4323.
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Ways to Promote Domestic Violence Awareness Month:
- Post about DVAM on your social media. (Feel free to use the graphic above!)
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Use #DVAM2020 or #1Thing on your social media posts.
- Talk to those around you about what you can do to help end domestic violence!
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Visit our website for more resources on family violence.
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Visit One Safe Place’s website to learn more about how they’re directly helping domestic violence victims and survivors in our community everyday.
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Resources:
1100 Hemphill St., Fort Worth, TX
For Help: 817-916-4323
Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
Call 1-800-989-6884
Text 512-872-5777
Text “LoveIs” to 22522
Call 1-866-331-9474
Chat online
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National Bullying Prevention Month |
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October is also National Bullying Prevention Month; a month focused on a call to action to educate communities on their roles in bullying prevention. National Bullying Prevention Month emphasizes the concept that bullying is NOT a “rite of passage” that makes kids “tougher”.1 Rather, bullying is a traumatic experience that can have long-lasting impacts on all ages of youth.1
Bullying is the most common form of youth violence. Trends have shown that 1 in 5 students are bullied each year and about 15% of students are electronically bullied (i.e. cyberbullied).2 When broken down by gender there is a huge gap in bullying incidence, with 22% of females and 15% of males reporting they have been bullied at school.2 Comparing LGBTQ students to heterosexual students, there is almost a 2 to 1 difference in bullying incidence; 33% of LGBTQ students report being bullied compared to 17% of heterosexual students reporting being bullied.2
Bullying affects everyone involved: the bully, the bully’s victim, and those who witness bullying.3 Those who experience bullying are at a high risk of depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, and lower academic quality and achievement.4 Luckily, bullying is easily prevented when a school community comes together to put a stop to bullying and bully culture.3 One of the leading ways to take a stand against bullying is by encouraging community members, especially youth, to be positive bystanders, which involves taking action that aids the victim rather than ignoring the situation. Positive bystanders may intervene directly, when it’s safe to do so; redirect the attention away from the bully and on to something else; or tell a higher authority about the bullying.
Friends for Life is a program of Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County that is equipped to take anonymous tips on bullying and cyberbullying. If you know someone who is being bullied or cyberbullied, we encourage you to send in an anonymous tip by calling 817-469-8477, going to our website, or using our “CCS FFL” mobile app. As an assurance, the anonymity of tips are protected by state law. This includes David’s Law, which requires an anonymous reporting system that students can utilize when they witness bullying/cyberbullying.
The Friends for Life (FFL) program has continued to work hard to respond to suspected victimization in our community, including bullying and cyberbullying. Over the last two school years (‘18-’19 and ‘19-’20) we received 369 FFL Bullying/Cyberbullying reports.
Bullying
- 320 bullying reports received.
- 26 students administratively disciplined as a result.
- 60 cases cleared/counseling services offered as a result.
Cyberbullying
- 49 cyberbullying reports received.
- 5 students administratively disciplined as a result.
- 11 cases cleared/counseling services offered as a result.
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Ways to Promote National Bullying Prevention Month:
- Post about National Bullying Prevention Month on your social media accounts (Feel free to use the graphic above!).
- Don’t be afraid to talk with school personnel about ways you can help with bullying prevention.
- Encourage students to be a positive bystander when they encounter bullying.
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Resources:
Hotline: 1-800-273-8255
Deaf & Hard of Hearing: 1-800-799-4889
Call 1-800-989-6884
Text 512-872-5777
Hotline: 1-866-488-7386
Text START to 678678
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Red Ribbon Week is this month from Friday, October 23rd to Saturday, October 31st! Every year, the Red Ribbon Campaign promotes RRW as a way to amplify their message and mission: “to encourage children, families and communities to live healthy, happy, and drug-free lives.” 1
This year’s theme is “Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug Free.” The theme was created by Tricia Nelson, an elementary school teacher from Cincinnati. The Red Ribbon Campaign chose her theme as this years theme because they saw it as a reminder that we all have the ability to shape our respective communities through positivity, bravery and strength. 1
In 2019, the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) selected Fort Worth, TX as a comparative district to the rest of the nation. 3 They found the following comparisons for high school students:
- In FW, 21% smoked cigarettes compared to 24% nationwide.
- In FW, 43% have used an e-cigarette/vape compared to 50% nationwide.
- In FW, 17% had their first drink of alcohol before age 13 compared to 15% nationwide.
- Both in FW and nationwide, 38% said they had tried marijuana.
- In FW, 7.7% said they had tried marijuana before age 13 compared to 5.6% nationwide.
- In FW, 15% misused prescription pain medicine compared to 14% nationwide.
- In FW, 26% said they had been offered, sold, or given an illegal drug on school property compared to 22% nationwide.
On all but two (i.e., marijuana before age 13 and being offered drugs at school) tobacco, alcohol, and drug measures, there was either no difference or a lesser likelihood of Fort Worth high school youth engaging in risky behaviors as compared to the rest of the United States.3 These are encouraging data points overall, yet show that there is still work to do in our communities in regards to drug use.
We encourage you to participate in Red Ribbon Week this year by initiating and participating in these crucial, yet important conversations with the students in your life. The Red Ribbon campaign encourages each and everyone of us to realize that it takes a community’s collective effort to educate, encourage, and empower youth to live a drug-free life.
Campus Crime Stoppers is a program of Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County that is equipped to take anonymous tips on alcohol, tobacco, and drug use or solicitation. If you suspect someone is either illegally drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco, or using/selling drugs we encourage you to send in an anonymous tip by calling 817-469-8477, going to our website, or using our “CCS FFL” mobile app. As an assurance, the anonymity of tips are protected by state law.
The Campus Crime Stoppers (CCS) program has continued to work hard to respond to suspected drug use and solicitation in our schools. Over the last two school years (‘18-’19 and ‘19-’20) we received 787 CCS drug tips:
- 787 tips received.
- 47 students arrested as a result.
- 83 students administratively disciplined as a result.
- 132 cases cleared.
- $2,184 in drugs seized from students.
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Ways to Promote Red Ribbon Week:
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Go to the Red Ribbon Campaign website to learn about everything they stand for and the resources they offer.
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Be willing to facilitate the important and crucial conversations about staying drug-free with the youth in your life.
- If you are part of a school system, make sure to encourage your school and students to get excited and participate in Red Ribbon Week activities!
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Like, comment, and share this graphic on our Facebook and Instagram during Red Ribbon Week.
- Use this graphic on your social media to promote Red Ribbon Week.
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Resources:
Hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Crisis Line (Call or Text): 817-335-3022
Main Line: 817-569-4300
Call: 817-336-6617 (Not a crisis line)
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Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County
Featured Story of the Month
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One Safe Place's Leading Role in Domestic Violence Advocacy
Since its inception in 2012, One Safe Place has always been a leading force in the North Texas community. To date, the One Safe Place FJC continues to be one of the largest and most comprehensive FJCs in the country. While One Safe Place operates many respected programs, including Crime Stoppers, it has continued to show progressive leadership when it comes to domestic violence advocacy. The hard work of One Safe Place can be exemplified by their 2019 service numbers showing just how much One Safe Place does in the community every year:
- The intake staff completed over 1,700 intakes.
- The clients that were served represent the surrounding community (33% Hispanic, 31% White, and 24% Black).
- The FJC includes 20 partner agencies that work with a common goal of providing services that allow the client to be placed in a safer and more secure environment.
- 1,119 children were connected to essential direct services.
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For the full 2019 report click here.
While 2020 has been a difficult year for everyone, One Safe Place continues to be fully operational and continues to work hard for and with their clients. One Safe Place is encouraged to note that they have been able to serve a multitude of clients in a productive and efficient manner while keeping all staff, clients, and partners safe from the health risks that the COVID-19 pandemic poses.
If you know a student, parent, peer, or community member, who is in a domestic or intimate partner violence situation, please have them call One Safe Place at 817-916-4323. One Safe Place can provide risk assessment and safety planning for those of any age, race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or income level.
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Last, but certainly not least, October means it’s Halloween time! With so much happening today across our country, state, and local communities we are excited to celebrate a Happy Halloween with you! While this year may be different for some, especially those with younger children in their lives, we still want you, your family, and your friends to have a safe and enjoyable All Hallow’s Eve.
For many this year, trick-or-treating and Halloween parties may have to be put on hold until next year. Here are a few fun and exciting options to share with your students and community members this Halloween:
- Carve pumpkins into fun, spooky, or wacky faces with the members of your household! OR carve pumpkins with neighbors outside at a safe distance.
- Have a friendly front yard decorating contest with your neighbors and have a masked, socially-distant viewing tour.
- Enjoy a classic scary or Halloween themed movie with some warm apple cider (or any yummy beverage of your choice!) and decorate sugar cookies.
- For younger kids in the family, decorate each door inside your house and let the little ones trick-or-treat around the house at each door.
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For more tips on safe Halloween practices during COVID-19 please visit the CDC’s COVID-19 and Holiday Celebrations page.
For those who do choose more traditional options, we want to emphasize the need to continue to wear a face mask at all times and create as much distance between you and other people. A Halloween/costume mask does NOT substitute the use of a cloth face covering. Please share the following Halloween safety tips with your friends, family, students, and community members:
- If you will be allowing trick-or-treaters, don’t be afraid to require people to wear face masks before they come up to your door.
- If you will be outside, ensure that you are staying in well-lit areas or using reflective material to make sure you are seen clearly.
- ALWAYS inspect any treats you receive from others before indulging.
- Use the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line to report any suspicious activity occurring in your neighborhood on Halloween.
We hope you have a Happy Halloween and remember to do your part to keep your community safe, happy, and healthy!
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Training Requests, Contact Info,
and Print Material
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While this school year looks different, the service provided by Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County to help you and your students, parents, and staff through the Campus Crime Stoppers and Friends for Life programs remains the same.
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Print materials are available upon request and delivered to locations that are open for visitors. Please contact either Rachel or Julian.
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Digital resources for this school year may be downloaded from our website here.
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Follow Us!
Please feel free to follow us on all of our social media!
If your organization, school, or agency has social media pages please have them follow us and we will be sure to follow back!
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If you know of any other individuals, teams, or organizations that would like to be a part of this newsletter please do not hesitate to have them contact either Rachel or Julian so that they can be added to the email list.
Contact us with any questions, suggestions, or concerns regarding Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County and our various programs at any time and we will respond in a timely manner.
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Best regards,
Rachel Gilbert
Director, Special Programs
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Julian Rangel
Engagement and Outreach Specialist
1100 Hemphill Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
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