Written by Maranda Winter, Junior at O’Neill High School

Stalking is a crime in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, yet many victims and criminal justice professionals underestimate its seriousness and impact. In one of five cases, stalkers use weapons to harm or threaten victims, and stalking is one of the significant risk factors for femicide (homicide of women) in abusive relationships.

Victims suffer anxiety, social dysfunction, and severe depression at much higher rates than the general population, and many lose time from work or have to move as a result of their victimization.

Stalking is difficult to recognize, investigate, and prosecute. Unlike other crimes, stalking is not a single, easily identifiable crime but a series of acts, a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause that person fear. Stalking may take many forms, such as assaults, threats, vandalism, burglary, or animal abuse, as well as unwanted cards, calls, gifts, or visits. One in four victims reports that the stalker uses technology, such as computers, global positioning system devices, or hidden cameras, to track the victim’s daily activities. Stalkers fit no standard psychological profile, and many stalkers follow their victims from one jurisdiction to another, making it difficult for authorities to investigate and prosecute their crimes.

If you believe you or someone you know is a victim of stalking; or if you have any questions about your situation, please call Bright Horizons toll free at 1-877-379-3798 to speak with an advocate.

Written by Sara

Bright Horizons has been chosen to receive a $20,000 grant from The Mary Kay Foundation as part of the organization’s annual $3 million national domestic violence grant program.  Bright Horizons is one of 150 domestic violence organizations participating in the program.  The grant will be used to make some necessary safety and security updates at shelter.

“This grant is such a blessing to Bright Horizons in a variety of ways,” said Linda Olson, Executive Director.  “Not only does it make up for a deficit in funding this year but also gives us hope and strength to continue what we do.  Domestic violence is not going away and deserves very serious attention.  Programs to help battered women and their children require a lot of resources.  That’s why we are so thankful The Mary Kay Foundation is helping us help families in northeastern Nebraska.”

Domestic Violence Outlook

According to the second “Mary Kay Truth About Abuse” national survey conducted in March 2011, domestic violence shelters indicate the economic downturn has increased demand for services.  Shelters also report, the ability to raise funds and provide services will be hampered into 2012.  Due to the economy, the survey also revealed:

• 80 percent of domestic violence shelters nationwide (more than three out of four) report and increase in women seeking assistance from abuse, and most attribute this to financial issues.
• 76 percent of domestic violence shelters (three out of four) indicate their funding has decreased.
• 65 percent of women in shelters can’t find employment due to the economy.
• 56 percent of shelters note the abuse is more violent now than before the economic downturn.

“In light of the economic downturn and alarming increases in domestic violence, The Mary Kay Foundation’s mission is more critical than ever before.  Bright Horizons has helped so many women and their families in the northeastern Nebraska area.  We know they will use these funds to benefit even more domestic violence survivors and their children and help end domestic violence,” said Jennifer Cook, The Mary Kay Foundation board member.
About Bright Horizons

Bright Horizons serves victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking and their families.  All of their services are free and confidential and available 24-hours a day 7 days a week.  Bright Horizons serves Antelope, Boyd, Holt, Knox, Madison, Pierce, and Stanton counties.  They have an office and shelter in both Norfolk and O’Neill.   They provide individual advocacy, support group for adults and children, shelter, assistance with protection orders and criminal justice and legal advocacy.  They also provide education in the community on these issues.

About The Mary Kay Foundation

The Mary Kay Foundation was created in 1996, and its mission is two-fold: to fund research of cancers affecting women and to help prevent domestic violence while raising awareness of the issue.  Since the Foundation’s inception, it has awarded $28 million to shelters and programs addressing domestic violence prevention and more than $16 million to cancer researchers and related causes throughout the United States.  To learn more about The Mary Kay Foundation, log on to www.marykayfoundation.org or call 1-877-MKCARES (652-2737).

 It’s unfortunate that it takes national headlines to get people talking about a problem that is all too prevalent in our society but we can take advantage of this opportunity to shine the light on the issue of child sexual abuse and recognize that we all have a responsibility to protect children.

• We’ve learned that this issue is not about big universities, celebrity, or the Catholic Church.  It’s not about reputations, or legacies or any one institution.  This issue is about children.
• We’ve learned that we have to step into the reality that there are people in our midst that would rob children of their innocence and they are people we know and trust.  They will go out of their way to appear above reproach and they will infiltrate our families and organizations where they can have easy access to children.
• We’ve learned that it takes tremendous courage for children and adults that have been abused to come forward.  We must support and honor this courage and work together to ensure their story is not handed down to other innocent children.
• We’ve learned that child safety is the job of an adult.  Teaching children how to keep themselves safe from abuse is important, but adults bear the burden of stepping up and speaking out when something doesn’t look or feel right with respect to the wellbeing of a child.  We’ve learned that it may or may not be our legal responsibility as mandated reporters depending on where we live but morally it is the right thing to do.  If you see something or suspect abuse, call the police.
• We’ve learned that the ramifications of not acting responsibly are clear.  More abuse occurs, more children are harmed, fewer children get the help they so deserve.  To be silent bystanders is to be complicit in its occurrance and wake. To intervene is to ensure that a child is treated and supported, that they are healed and better protected from potential lifelong hardships of trauma.
• We’ve learned that child sexual abuse is preventable.  We can learn the facts, we can acknowledge the reality, we can talk to others adults, we can ensure youth serving organizations have comprehensive child protection policy, and we can talk to our children.  Awareness and education is the answer.
• The fight against child abuse cannot be the job of one agency; it has to be a collaborative effort.  It will take all of us to change culture–to one where engaged adults offer no place for a perpetrator to commit their heinous acts and no access to children.
• We can be stuck in the shock and horror of what happened at Penn State staying focused on who knew what and when or we can pledge right now to stay focused on the things we can do today that better protect children.  Let Penn State serve as a wake-up call.  Will we stay vigilant or will we again become complacent when the smoke clears?

** This article came from the Darkness to Light website which is www.d2l.org.  If you would like more information about how you or your organization can take an active stand against child sexual abuse, call Audrea at 402-379-2026 to learn how.

1. Domestic Violence is everyone’s issue!
2. Nothing causes someone to be abusive
3. A woman is beaten every 15 seconds
4. 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime
5. Lead by example:  work at creating a culture that has a “no tolerance” policy to domestic violence
6. Speak up: if someone says something derogatory, abusive or disrespectful about women, let them know their behavior is wrong
7. Find one way today in which you tell/show others that intimate partner violence is wrong
8. Domestic violence is NEVER the victim’s fault
9. Social change starts with you, let your voice be heard one time today that abuse is wrong
10. What is one thing you can do in your life, that states abuse is intolerable
11. Challenge others when you hear them say, “why doesn’t the victim leave” and ask “why doesn’t the abuser stop?”
12. Intimate Partner Violence happens in same-sex relationships
13. 10 murder-suicides take place each week (violence policy center)
14. Respect is one aspect of a healthy relationship
15. Domestic violence = establishing and maintaining power and control over ones intimate partner
16. Speak out against inappropriate jokes
17. Speak out and treat women and men with respect
18. Find out how you can help your local domestic violence/sexual assault program (ex)volunteer, what items do they need donated…
19. In 1967, shelters begin emerging for battered women in the United States
20. On October 17, 1981, the National Coalition against Domestic Violence declared a national day of unity on behalf of battered women across the country
21. Speak out and keep your friends accountable against domestic violence
22. Do you recognize domestic violence when you see it? Learn more at NDVSAC.org
23. There is no room for domestic violence in ‘family values’
24. In one day, Nebraska’s 21 domestic violence/sexual assault programs, served 615 victims
25. In 1978, Nebraska passed the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act
26. Challenge: Ask 3 people if they could recognize domestic violence & how. Use this for an opportunity to educate the community
27. In a healthy relationship, the two individuals can talk freely and openly with each other without fear of reprisal
28. One of the most dangerous times for a victim of domestic violence, is when the victim leaves/attempts to leave
29. Domestic violence is not about an “anger problem” -  it’s about power and control over one’s intimate partner
30. What are you doing today to raise the awareness of domestic violence?
31. Domestic Violence IS your issue!

Statistics suggest that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused by the age of 18. Ninety percent of children who are sexually abused are violated by someone they know and trust. This includes youth leaders of all types: teachers, coaches, ministers, mentors, counselors, parents and other youth.

The Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children sexual abuse prevention program takes a direct and comprehensive approach to the problem of sexual abuse within youth-serving organizations. A compelling video, the core of the curriculum, includes the stories of several courageous individuals who were victims of sexual abuse as children and who have contributed a great deal of time and effort as adults toward ending the cycle of abuse.

This program is ideal for the training of staff and volunteers in youth-serving organizations; it is also appropriate for the parents of children served by these organizations. Audrea is an authorized facilitator and has been fully equipped to implement this program. She will lead a 2.5 hour training session, including a discussion of the information presented in the video. Each participant also receives two pieces of curriculum, a workbook and Darkness to Light’s 7 Steps to Protecting our Children.

Audrea is also able to guide organizations through the development of sexual abuse prevention policies and procedures. Both the training and the policies and procedures are important steps toward creating environments that are safe for children.

Sexual abuse has enormous costs: Children are hurt, the reputations of organizations are destroyed, and insurance settlements are astronomical. You or your organization can’t afford to ignore it; protect their only childhood.

For more information on how to register for this training, please contact Audrea at 402-379-2026 or audrea@brighthorizonsne.org

You can also visit the event on our webiste by clicking here.

Click on picture for more information about this production

In the month of October, Bright Horizons will be celebrating their 35^th anniversary!  We are hosting a staged reading titled “In My Daughter’s Name.” This play takes a very personal look at domestic violence.  Amanda Thomas, the daughter referred to in the title, was 27 years old when she was murdered by her ex-boyfriend and the father of one of her children.  The play bears witness to the circumstances and complications leading up to Amanda’s death in 2009.  Statistics show that 1 in 3 woman are affected by domestic violence, so the chances of you knowing someone in an abusive relationship are high.  It could be your mother, sister, friend, relative or co-worker.  We are challenging the community to stand up for the Amanda Thomas in your life by attending this production to gain a valuable and life changing experience.

The performance will be at the O’Neill High School Gymnasium in O’Neill on October 12^th at 7:00pm and at the Life Long Learning Center at Northeast Community College in Norfolk on October 13^th at 7:00pm.  Cost is $5.00 in advance and $7.00 at the door.  If you are a college student, bring your student ID and get in for free!

The concept is simple – let each woman tell her story in her own unique way, using words and/or artwork to decorate her shirt.  Once finished, she would then hang her shirt on the clothesline.  This very action serves many purposes.  It acts as an educational tool for those who come to view the Clothesline; it becomes a healing tool for anyone who makes a shirt -by hanging the shirt on the line, survivors, friends, and family can literally turn their back on some of that pain of their experience and walk away; finally it allows those who are still suffering in silence to understand that they are not alone. For more information about the clothesline project, please visit the website at www.clotheslineproject.org

During the month of October, we encourage you to visit one of our clothesline projects displayed at the following locations:

Pierce Public Library

Northeast Community College – Student Center

Norfolk Public Library

Stanton Public Library

Tilden Hospital

Faith Regional Health Services

West Holt Hospital (30th-7th)

Spencer Village Community Center (Oct. 7th-14th)

Neligh Library (Oct. 14th-21st)

Holt County Courthouse (Oct. 21st-28th)

• Diapers average a cost of $100 per month (babies need 8-12 diapers/day)

• No public assistance covers the cost of diapers including Food Stamps

• Disposable diapers are required by all day cares

Help us provide diapers for children of our clients during the entire month of September!  If you want to participate in the diaper drive, you can drop the diapers off at our office in Norfolk at 305 N. 4th St. or the O’Neill office at 318 E. Douglas St. anytime from 9 AM to 5 PM Monday through Friday! We are especially in need of sizes 3, 4, 5, and 6.