Whether you have a few minutes, a few hours, or a few days, you can educate yourself and your community about stalking during January, National Stalking Awareness Month.

See Link for more information: Stalking: Know It. Name It. Stop It.

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This post, January is Stalking Awareness Month, originally appeared on SAFE Homes Rape Crisis Coalition on January 20, 2012. If you are in need of our services, please call our 24-hour hotline at 800.273.5066. Tweet This

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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon is preparing a series of new initiatives to try to curb sexual assaults in the military, the defense chief said Wednesday, calling the problem a stain on the honor of the armed forces.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said there were 3,191 sexual assaults reported in the military last year, which would be a slight increase from the 3,158 reported in 2010. But he said that because so few victims report the crime, the real number is closer to 19,000 assaults.

“It is an affront to the basic American values we defend and it is a stain on the good honor of the great majority of our troops and our families,” Panetta told a Pentagon press conference.

“Our men and women in uniform put their lives on the line every day to try to keep America safe.” He said. “We have a moral duty to keep them safe from those who would attack their dignity and their honor.”

He announced several changes that he said would be the first in a broad package of proposals put forward in the coming months, some that would need congressional approval.

Though they were incremental and modest in relation to the vastness of the problem, aides later said Panetta has taken a personal interest in the problem and personally announced the changes in part because he wanted to focus on the issue a measure of attention he feels has been somewhat lacking in the department.

Immediate reaction from Congress was limited, but Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., said that while Panetta should be applauded for his effort it was insufficient.

“What Secretary Panetta is doing helps, but it is tinkering rather than overhauling a system that does not adequately protect the honor of the men and women in uniform,” she said. “The core of the flawed system remains in place — unit commanders will continue to have complete and total discretion over incidents of assault in their unit.”

Announced Wednesday:

—Victim services will be extended not only to people in uniform but also military spouses as well as Pentagon civilians and contractors working abroad.

—Employees who work as victim advocates will have to get credentialed to put their skills in line with national standards.

—More money will be spent training investigators and lawyers to go after and prosecute perpetrators.

—Panetta ordered an assessment be done in 120 days on how commanding officers and senior enlisted leaders are trained on sexual assault prevention and response, and what can be done to strengthen that training.

“Our leaders in uniform … are on the front lines of this effort,” he said. “It’s important that everyone in uniform be alert to this problem and have the leadership training to help prevent these crimes from occurring.”

Saying he wanted to speak directly to the victims of sexual assault in the Defense Department, Panetta said somberly: “I deeply regret that such crimes occur in the U.S. military… I’m committed to providing you the support and resources you need and to taking whatever steps are necessary to keep what happened to you from happening to others.”

His remarks Wednesday followed an announcement last month of two other new policies to support victims. Those were:

—The department is standardizing across military service branches the length of time sexual assault records are kept. Certain documents will be retained for 50 years in unrestricted cases and for five years in restricted cases to give victims longer access to the documents. A restricted case is one filed confidentially, meaning the victim gets care but doesn’t want the assault reported to law enforcement. An unrestricted assault triggers an investigation.)

—Victims who file unrestricted cases now have the option to request an expedited transfer from their unit or installation — i.e. they must get a response from their unit commander within 72 hours. A service member also will be able to request a review of any denied request and receive that response within 72 hours.

Announcement of those two changes accompanied the Pentagon’s annual report last month showing assault cases rose at the nation’s three major military academies in the latest academic year from one year earlier.

The Defense Department’s “Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies” for academic year 2010-2011 found there were 65 reports of sexual assaults involving cadets and midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy. That was up from 41 reported assaults in the prior academic year. Officials said they could not conclusively identify the reasons for the increase but that it could be because the department has worked to encourage more victims to report them.

Beyond the academy report every December, the Pentagon also releases an annual report each March on sexual assaults throughout the services. Last year’s said there were 3,158 reports of assaults in the 2010 budget year, ranging from rape to unwanted touching.

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This post, Pentagon Works On New Plan To Curb Sex Assaults, originally appeared on SAFE Homes Rape Crisis Coalition on January 19, 2012. If you are in need of our services, please call our 24-hour hotline at 800.273.5066. Tweet This

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This post, The Facts on Tweens and Teens and Dating Violence, originally appeared on SAFE Homes Rape Crisis Coalition on January 19, 2012. If you are in need of our services, please call our 24-hour hotline at 800.273.5066. Tweet This

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By Shelly Roehrs in Rummage for a Reason

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This post, 2012 Press Release ~ Rummage for a Reason, originally appeared on SAFE Homes Rape Crisis Coalition on January 5, 2012. If you are in need of our services, please call our 24-hour hotline at 800.273.5066. Tweet This

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While commercial advertisements and greeting cards may paint the holiday season as a picture-perfect time of year, the reality is that the holidays are a time of anxiety and sadness for a lot of people.

For survivors of sexual assault, the holidays — with the busyness and expectations they bring — can be particularly stressful.

Some survivors feel alone as they deal with their trauma; a trauma they may not have talked about with other people. Others have post-traumatic stress disorder and are dealing with a vast array of physical, emotional and cognitive symptoms that accompany PTSD.

For survivors of incest, there may be additional stressors: the possibility of seeing their abusive relative, tension with relatives who don’t want to accept that the abuse occurred, or inner conflict because the survivor still loves the relative but is angered and hurt by the abuse that occurred.

At this busy and sometimes emotional time of year, it is important for survivors of sexual assault to practice self care. Relaxing activities such as baths, quiet walks, time with friends, and special times with children or other special people in your life is critical to your health.

It’s easy to forget self-care skills in the hustle and bustle of the holidays, but they’re particularly critical during times of high stress.

Some survivors of child sexual abuse put additional pressure on themselves to provide their children with perfect holidays — holidays very different from the ones they remember. It’s healthier, however, to simply enjoy time together with your children rather than creating unrealistic expectations for your family’s holidays.

For incest survivors, it’s critical to know your limits and establish boundaries with your family ahead of time. If you don’t want to participate in the family celebration, explain your feelings to a family member who understands.

If you want to be with your family, set boundaries beforehand. For example, if you’re uncomfortable sitting next to your abusive relative at the family dinner table, find a seat at the other end of the table.

It may take work and self-reflection, but developing a positive outlook about the holidays will help improve your mood. Try to control your negative thoughts by remembering happy times in your life or things for which you’re grateful today, rather than thinking about the abuse.

Also, remember that while “perfect” holidays aren’t attainable, fun times are possible if you focus on sharing time with people you care about.

If your family isn’t supportive, find “family” in friends you love and who love you. We don’t have a choice in the family we’re born into, but as adults we have the choice to create a family of people we trust and cherish.

This holiday season, take the time to care for yourself. It’s the best gift you’ll give or receive.

Ways that you can take care of yourself

• If you’re a survivor of incest, here are a few tips for easing your anxiety over the holidays.
• Remember to practice self care by doing activities that relax you.
• Know your limits.
• Establish boundaries with your family ahead of time.
• Be sure a knowing relative or friend is with you for support at family functions.
• Have a plan for how you’ll excuse yourself if things becomes too intense.
•  If you think you’ll be alone over the holidays, find healthy ways to occupy yourself, such as volunteering at a community meal or homeless shelter.

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This post, Holidays, family gatherings bring on additional stress for some, originally appeared on SAFE Homes Rape Crisis Coalition on December 19, 2011. If you are in need of our services, please call our 24-hour hotline at 800.273.5066. Tweet This

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The NISVS Fact Sheet provides a brief overview of the data from a national study conducted to assess the impact of sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence. It discusses the scope of these forms of violence; immediate impacts of victimization; and the lifelong health consequences experienced by victims of these forms of violence. This information may help to inform policies on prevention and response efforts in the field. Other resources related to this Fact Sheet include the full Summary Report and a Toolkit.

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This post, National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey Fact Sheet | National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), originally appeared on SAFE Homes Rape Crisis Coalition on December 19, 2011. If you are in need of our services, please call our 24-hour hotline at 800.273.5066. Tweet This

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Repeated studies have shown that people who own a handgun are at a high risk of that gun being used against them. Unfortunately, people who perpetrate violent crimes are often more adept at using, and more ready to use, handguns.

The fact is very few rapes are perpetrated by strangers. We warn our children, our friends and family members to be careful of strangers, when we should be warning them about those they know. According to the US Dept of Justice, most sexual assaults (approximately 2/3) are perpetrated by someone the victim knows and trusts.

How willing and able would you be to pull the trigger on your relative, friend, spouse, boyfriend or someone else you know? Having a gun in your possession would probably only increase the possibility of you being shot. Even in stranger rapes, the rapist is much more likely to be prepared to use violence than the victim—and may use the weapon against her. We all want to reduce the number of women who are attacked in our community. But we have to be careful not to increase the number who are killed—especially by their own weapons.

We are not taking a stand for or against guns. We are merely saying that there are better ways to prevent rape. First, we as a community need to step up and tell perpetrators that we won’t tolerate their actions. If you see someone harassing, following, assaulting or intimidating a woman, step in and call for help. Teach the men in your life that no means no, and that sexual assault is never acceptable. Hold your friends and acquaintances accountable. Don’t ignore that behavior that makes you feel uncomfortable. Watch out for one another.

Do we want to live in a community filled with fear? A community where innocent citizens feel they have to carry a gun everywhere they go? A community where violent criminals  are able to turn our own fear, and our own weapons, against us? Or, do we want to make our community safe—for all women, children and men? If we do, we have a lot of work to do, and the first step is education and prevention—not carrying a weapon.

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This post, Comments from the Executive Director, originally appeared on SAFE Homes Rape Crisis Coalition on November 2, 2011. If you are in need of our services, please call our 24-hour hotline at 800.273.5066. Tweet This

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AWARENESS MONTH

Please join us for the

14th Annual Balloon Vigil

and speak out against domestic

violence in our community.

Thursday,

October 13, 2011

5:30-6:30 pm

Daniel Morgan Square

Main Street

Sponsored by:

SAFE Homes-Rape Crisis Coalition

Seventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office

Spartanburg County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council

Spartanburg County Department of Social  Services

Spartanburg Public Safety

Balloon Vigil Flier 2011

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This post, 14th Annual Balloon Vigil, originally appeared on SAFE Homes Rape Crisis Coalition on October 12, 2011. If you are in need of our services, please call our 24-hour hotline at 800.273.5066. Tweet This

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Uptown Sertoma Club’s Auction for a Cause will be held this year on October 7th, 2011 at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium. Doors open at 5:30 pm.

All proceeds from the sale of SHRCC auction items will benefit victims and families of domestic violence and sexual assault.

How it works:

From now until the end of September, SHRCC will be collecting items with a value of $50 or more for the silent auctions and items with a value of $250 or more for the live auction.  We’re looking for donations of fine jewelry, vacation rentals, gift certificates, and much more!

In addition to supporting a great cause, donations are tax deductible for the value of the item and donors will be acknowledged in the auction catalog and other promotional materials if received by September 24, 2011!  If you would like to help, you can drop off your item at  SHRCC. For more information please e-mail us or call us with your questions at 864.583.9803.

If you are unable to donate, then stop by our office and purchase a ticket for $10.00 and come shop at the 2011 Auction for a Cause!

Music, soft drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar for beer and wine will be available as you enjoy your shopping experience.

Tickets cost $10 if purchased before the event and all proceeds benefit SAFE Homes-Rape Crisis if you buy them at our office.  Tickets will also be on sale at the auditorium for $15.00.

Here is a listing of items we currently have: Just to name a few :)

Cruise Certificate valued at $750.00 from CruiseOne

8 Riverfalls Golf Course Tickets (18-hole green fee for one)

Iris painting by Joyce Hawkins

2 club level tickets to a Panthers game

Village Green Golf course (tickets for a 4 some and a cart)

Collection of earrings from around the world from Lynn Hawkins

Piece of stained glass by Dragonsfaire

$50.00 gift certificate for plants

Check out these links:

Auction for a Cause Facebook page

Auction for a Cause Website page

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This post, Support SAFE Homes-Rape Crisis Coalition & the 2011 18th Annual Auction for a Cause!, originally appeared on SAFE Homes Rape Crisis Coalition on August 31, 2011. If you are in need of our services, please call our 24-hour hotline at 800.273.5066. Tweet This

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(An Interpersonal Violence Conference)

Friday, October 14, 2011

8:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.

Marriott Spartanburg at Renaissance Park

Featured Speaker:  Lt. Mark Wynn

A Domestic & Sexual Violence Prevention Trainer & Consultant

(CE, Nursing Contact Hours, Social Work, Counselors, Victim Service Providers, Law Enforcement Officers, and Judges Credits Approved)

Scholarships are available to this conference.

Registration Fee is $60.00; Additional fee after September 30, 2011: $10.00

Fee includes light continental breakfast, handout materials,

refreshments, lunch, and certificate of attendance.

Deadline for registration is September 30, 2011;

No refunds will be made. Substitutions are accepted and encouraged.

For more information contact Marlene Evans

at 864.583.9803 or 1.800.273.5066.

United We Stand Brochure pg. 1

United We Stand Brochure pg. 2

United We Stand Agenda Insert

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This post, United We Stand…Putting the Pieces Together Conference, originally appeared on SAFE Homes Rape Crisis Coalition on June 13, 2011. If you are in need of our services, please call our 24-hour hotline at 800.273.5066. Tweet This

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