Transitioning Times

The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence recently published a tip sheet in the Spring 2012 edition of PA Academy of Family Physicans Magazine, available on their website on pages 20-21.  They have presented other information about TBI and DV, and continue to be a useful resource.  It estimates that 36% of domestic violence survivors sustain injuries to the head, neck, or face.  The most severeTBI symptoms include post-traumatic amnesia beyond one week, open head injuries, intracranial contusions, lacerations, hematomas, hemorrhages, and diffuse axonal injuries.

The Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) has become embroiled in a contentious partisan debate about a variety of issues, including immigration, native rights, and rights of LGBTQ individuals.   We are pleased that the Senate passed a new version of VAWA which includes increasing the number of visas available to victims of domestic violence who are undocumented immigrants, bans discrimination against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender victims of domestic violence, and gives Native American tribes more authority in prosecuting domestic violence offenses.   It also restructures some grants and creates new funding for programs on college campuses.   It has many positive changes, but it still excludes some individuals, including Alaskan Native tribes. One of the issues that is left out of the House of Representatives’ version of the Violence Against Women Act is allowing Native American tribes more discretion in prosecuting domestic v...

As you've seen on this blog before (01/24/2012), it is important for doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals to screen patients for domestic violence.  This recommendation has garnered attention due to a new report , published May 7th, and brought to national attention in U.S. News and World Report's blog .  The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force reviewed recent studies and found that screening patients did not harm victims of domestic violence.  A few of the studies reviewed focused on pregnant women, providing them with counseling before and after they gave birth.  The paticipants who received therapy experience less violence during and after birth and had healthier babies.  The Task Force will continue to review studies and possibly change their recommendations, which were last changed in 2004.  Several organizations already support screening for domestic violence, and your doctor may already be talking to you about it.  Rev...

Today, April 30th, 2012 marks the end of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  The staff of Transitions has been very busy marking this important month. Staff tied teal ribbons (the official color of sexual assault awareness) to parking meters and restaurant fencing in downtown Lewisburg. On April 4th, a staff member and a volunteer travelled to Harrisburg for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape's annual Advocacy Day.  (PCAR's CEO Delilah Rumburg calling for Pennsylvania legislators to pass HB1264 during PCAR's Advocacy Day at the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg.) Chris Mallios, Attorney Advisor for Aequitas: The Prosecutor's Resource for Violence Against Women trained 71 individuals at Susquehanna University at Transitions' annual training event. On April 18th, Susquehanna University held a Health Fair, which was attended by two Transitions Staff members. The Federal Corrections Complex at Allenwood hosted an Emergency Preparedness Carnival on April 25t...

April 22-18, 2012 is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week.   Every April since 1981, one week has been designated as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week .   This year’s theme is “Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim.” It is necessary to take this opportunity to remember that every victim may not feel that he or she has rights.   This year’s campaign video focuses specifically on minors who are victims of sex trafficking ,    LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay,Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning) youth ,   migrant workers , and   victims of crimes using technology .   A person who is being told, by an offender or their culture, that no one will listen, no one will believe you, may not feel that he or she has rights.   A 14 year old person who has run away from their home may not know that he or she can even report a crime, let alone receive free and confidential support.   He may be told that he cannot report a cr...

On April 12, 2012, Transitions hosted Christopher Mallios, attorney advisor from Aequitas , the Prosecutor’s Resource for Violence against Women.  He presented seven hours of training to 45 law enforcement officers, including those serving in custody and probation capacities, 24 victim/witness coordinators and advocates, Snyder County’s District Attorney, and one of Northumberland County’s Assistant District Attorneys.  The training was supported by Grant No. 2009/2010/2011-VA-06-20518 awarded by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency for the STOP Formula Grant Program, awarded to Snyder County.  It was held at Susquehanna University, with many of the participants coming from Snyder County.  Mr. Mallios presented information about alcohol facilitated sexual assault.  Participants learned that more than 97,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are victims of alcohol-related sexual assault or date rape, and that victims of d...

With Earth Day right around the corner, April 22, 2012,  please consider a quick and simple way to turn your recycling efforts into a lifeline for a survivor of domestic violence. By donating your old wireless phone and accessories to the HopeLine® program , you can help organizations like Transitions serve the women, men and children who turn to us in their time of need. HopeLine recycles your no-longer-used wireless phones, batteries and accessories, in any condition, from any manufacturer or service provider. Proceeds from these recycled phones provide grants to local domestic violence programs and wireless phones and free airtime to survivors so they can call for help in emergencies and connect to services and support. Phones can be dropped off at any Verizon Wireless Communications Store in our area or mailed with a postage-paid label, available at www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline . As part of the refurbishing process, HopeLine scrubs all donated p...