Transitioning Times

Recently, the #metoo campaign has received a great deal of online attention. Women share their stories of harassment or assault to bring attention to the widespread nature of sexual harassment and sexual violence. In response, some men have been using the hashtag #HowIWillChange to speak out about ways they will contribute to ending harassment and sexual assault. Much like sexual violence, domestic violence disproportionately affects women. And like sexual violence, domestic violence against women is influenced by institutional sexism, cultural misogyny, and widespread acceptance of subjugation of women. Men are also victims of domestic violence, rape, and harassment, but crimes against men have wildly different causes, solutions, and societal response. While violence against men is influenced by expectations of gender roles, violence against women is overwhelmingly a gender-based issue. Long-held cultural, societal, and religious traditions provide protection and reinforcement fo...

Battling the Domestic Violence blues?  October is a classic 'down' month for people in our field of work.  All year long we address issues that surround domestic violence – we hear about people hurting one another in the place that is supposed to be, meant to be, the safest place on earth.  It is a kind of work that no matter how zealous you may be about getting our positive messages out, and responding to crisis situations, sooner or later it becomes a drain and all of us are susceptible to burnout. In October, with the long, dark nights of winter soon coming, this kind of violence may present itself more prominently, and our work may start to feel overwhelming.  It is only to be expected that as a team, we all start to lose our mojo just a little bit! So, what can we do about it?  Here are seven things that help keep me committed to prevention education and the work we do.  Consider how these may impact your work.  I encourage everybody...

I have been a major fan of football ever since I can remember.  I watched all the “greats” of the game with my Dad when I was little.  Over recent years, I have been seriously shocked with some players regarding their abusive actions and hoped the league and NFL Commissioner would hold them accountable.  The almost weekly accounts of abuse from some players prompted Commissioner Roger Goodell to take a serious look at the issues of domestic violence in the NFL and inspired conversations to bring some much-needed education and awareness to intimate partner violence.  Yet, with all the bad, comes some good.  I was never more impressed with a player than in the 2015 season when I saw William Gay wear those now famous purple shoes.  Finally, someone was taking a stand for anti-violence.  You see, when William was 8 years old, he lost his mother when she was fatally shot three times by his step-father before he killed himself. He said his mother “didn’t kn...

Transitions is proud to introduce Rose Weir as our new Family Systems Coordinator.  In her role, Rose will be guiding the provision of counseling to children, adolescents, and adults who are victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and other serious crimes.  Ms. Weir also will supervise our new Rapid Re-Housing Program for victims utilizing HUD funding through the Continuum of Care.  She will direct the expansion of our no-cost Trauma-Focused Counseling Program, in particular, services conducted by our Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (TFCBT).  She brings a wealth of experience and education to this expanded role ensuring that victims, siblings, and non-offending parents receive the care and support they need. Transitions new Family Systems Coordinator, Rose Weir Prior to joining Transitions, Ms. Weir was the Administrator for Snyder County Children and Youth for 12 years where she also held supervisory and ...

The Office of Violence Against Women awards financial support to Pennsylvania to assist communities in improving their response to violence against women.  One of the ways they do this is through the STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program.  STOP is an acronym that stands for Services, Training, Officers, and Prosecutors.  Transitions has been honored to have received this funding for at least one of the counties we serve for over 16 years.  One of the ways Transitions uses this money is to host an annual training event for law enforcement officers and prosecutors.  Transitions hosted their annual STOP Training on October 4 th and 5 th at the Union County Government Center.  The training was geared towards law enforcement officers and topics included civil protection orders available to victims of crime, Pennsylvania’s strangulation law, moving forward in criminal cases without the victim, and using the neurobiology of trauma to inform inte...

“Heels Up” were the words spoken just before the men, women, and children of Transitions’ 2 nd Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event stepped off to march around the town of Lewisburg in high heels.  The annual march raises awareness and critical funds for domestic and sexual violence programs in Union, Snyder, and Northumberland Counties. This year’s event was held on Sunday, October 1 at Hufnagle Park in Lewisburg.  Participants came from as far away as New Jersey to show their support for this great cause.  The walk was made possible by the support of many local businesses and foundations, including The John Family Foundation, BB&T Bank, The Lewisburg Studios, A-1 Lock and Key, and Bison Beverage.  The day will filled with people enjoying good food, fun, and even trophies were handed out to several walkers who raised the most money, decorated their shoes, was the youngest to walk, the vintage walker, and a team category. The Walk a Mile in Her Shoes...