Transitioning Times

Message from PCAR: Representative Dan Deasy has introduced legislation (HB 1999) that would require an individual who witnesses or an individual who is told by a direct witness about a sexual crime against a child to report it to law enforcement.  Failure to report could result in a third degree felony charge (currently the failure to report is a misdemeanor). See Rep. Deasy's webpage for the news release:   http://www.pahouse.com/PR/027110911.asp

“Forensic Nurses play an integral role in bridging the gap between law and medicine. They should be in each and every emergency room"  -Joseph Biden, Vice President, United States from Forensic Nursing: a Handbook for Practice Pictured:  Darlene Rowe, Director of Emergency Medicine; Lindsey Biddle, Critical Care Instructor and SANE nurse; and Tara R., Medical/Legal Advocate On November 9, 2011, Transitions was pleased to present the forensic nurses at Evangelical Hospital with a plaque and a bouquet of flowers in honor of Forensic Nurses Week . Evangelical Hospital is the only medical facility in Snyder, Union, and Northumberland counties where there is a SANE program. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners practice a form of forensic nursing. There are currently three nurses, Hannah, Lindsey, and Rachel, who, in addition to their regular duties, perform on-call duties, coming into the hospital whenever a sexual violence victim is admitted. They give their time and en...

Senator Bob Casey has become a co-sponsor of The Stop Abuse for Every Teen Act (S. 1447), which will increase federal funding for prevention and education programs and support practices to test prevention models. As reported by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention : 1 in 11 teens reports being a victim of physical dating violence each year. 1 in 4 reports verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual violence each year. Approximately 8% of boys and 9% of girls have been to the emergency room for an injury received from dating violence. These statistics are staggering and a change needs to happen. The SAFE Teen Act will add on to an existing program, the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities program , to include dating violence. Many teens live with the devastating effects of dating violence and feel it is okay. Let’s provide them with the tools to see the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships. Education is the best path toward pre...

Recently, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) reintroduced a critical piece of legislation that would change this dire situation. H.R. 3151, the Domestic Violence Leave Act , updates current law to allow workers recovering from domestic abuse, sexual assault and stalking to take unpaid sick days to seek medical attention, legal assistance, and counseling during work hours. I urge you to  contact your Member of Congress to pass the Domestic Violence Leave Act today. October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month just ended but violence against women and girls occurs every day of the year. In tough economic times, when the frequency of violence increases, victims without unpaid sick days must make a sobering choice between financial security and personal health. According to estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, victims of intimate partner violence lose 8 million days of work every year- which amounts to 32,000 full-time jobs.  Please contact your Mem...

Pennsylvania citizens look to the law for lots of reasons. Most of the time, when people call our hotline, they are exasperated. They have already tried to stop the abuse on their own; they’ve talked to friends, neighbors, colleagues, and sometimes even court personnel looking for answers. “My roommate flipped out yesterday and came at me!” “The grandfather of my baby keeps calling me and won’t stop.” “My neighbor has started harassing me and my children.” “My rapist moved into my neighborhood and tried to talk to me.” What can they do? Often, people in the above situations are referred to get a PFA (Protection From Abuse order). These people are met with disappointment. Protection from Abuse orders can only be filed by people who are related by consanguinity (blood) or affinity (marriage), current or former sexual or intimate partners (have or had a dating relationship), persons who share biological parenthood, or current or former spouses or people who lived as spouses. Th...