Transitioning Times

We are living in a fast moving, digital world.   Currently, there is a form of abuse or harassment being conducted on the internet called revenge porn.   Last week, there was an article in the New York Times asking for states to criminalize this behavior.   Prior to that, CNN ran a news story this summer, asking for the same. “Revenge porn” is a term given to explicit or pornographic photographs or videos that were sent to significant others when the two parties were involved in a consensual relationship, but are then distributed or posted online after they break up.   We have seen this type of behavior in juvenile sexting cases and have seen legislation passed criminalizing this behavior for children, but not for adults.   Victims and advocates (including Transitions) are calling for this behavior to be criminalized. Currently, victims can sue the perpetrators of this type of behavior with a civil suit, but beyond that, their behavior often...

Presidential Proclamation -- National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2013 NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH, 2013 - - - - - - - BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION Since the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) nearly 20 years ago, our Nation's response to domestic violence has greatly improved. What was too often seen as a private matter best hidden behind closed doors is now an established issue of national concern. We have changed our laws, transformed our culture, and improved support services for survivors. We have seen a significant drop in domestic violence homicides and improved training for police, prosecutors, and advocates. Yet we must do more to provide protection and justice for survivors and to prevent violence from occurring. During National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we stand with domestic abuse survivors, celebrate our Nation's progress in combatting these despicable ...

Transitions has released its annual report for 2012-2013.   Some of the highlights of this past year include: ·   Provided 7,927 hours of counseling to 2,668 victims of crime. ·   Partnered with Bucknell University in the development of a Campus Community Response Team for sexual assault, dating violence and stalking victims on campus. ·   Piloted program at White Deer Run Treatment Center for adolescent males focused on primary prevention of sexual violence based on the Bystander Approach. ·   Provided 694 educational programs to 15,754 students in 8 school districts in Union, Snyder and Northumberland Counties. ·   Partnered with Lewisburg High School, Selinsgrove High School and Family Planning to implement Project Connect to identify, promote, and evaluate best practices and policies for addressing adolescent relationship abuse. ·   Provided outreach and educational materials at 104 health fairs and other community wide events. ...

  Here we are in the 21 st Century and we are still battling strict gender roles.   The “boys should be playing with trucks not dolls” mentality still exists. I’m raising two sons ages 4 and 7 and I can verify that for a fact.   Here is a picture of a recent test my 1 st grader took at school.     Over the past several years, my children and I have been subjected to many cruel comments and debates over the way I choose to let my sons play. I believe in “free play” letting children play and use their imagination. In our playroom you will find a variety of toys ranging from dolls to blocks and everything in between. We have a play kitchen, an art easel and a large wooden train table.   I can recall when I actually bought the play kitchen for my oldest son as a Christmas present several years ago.   My father picked it up for me on Black Friday and asked me, “Are you trying to make the boy a sissy?”   Rusty playing h...

Domestic violence can be lethal.  I say this because we often forget.  Death is a part of the work that we do.   Organizations across the country are implementing Lethality Assessments to help victims plan for their safety based upon indicators of the potential for lethal behavior.  Unfortunately, death can be looming for victims in a variety of ways.  Victims may have suicidal thoughts, and abusers may threaten suicide or death of the victim and/or children.  There may also be drug and alcohol issues for either or both abusers and victims, which can result in death.  No one should have to die, in any manner, because of domestic violence. Statistics vary on how many victims of domestic violence have suicidal ideations, thoughts, or attempts.  One website states that one in four female victims of domestic violence attempt suicide, another study indicates that women who suffer intimate partner violence are 12 times more likely to ...

Lewisburg, PA (September 19, 2013) – In advance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, The Mary Kay Foundation SM has awarded $3 million in grants to 150 domestic violence shelters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Transitions in Lewisburg, PA received one of the $20,000 unrestricted grants to maintain critical services and programs for individuals who are survivors of domestic abuse. Transitions is a comprehensive crime victims services center that provides education programs and direct services to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other serious crimes in Union, Snyder, and Northumberland counties.  Transitions operates two domestic violence shelters and houses 110 adult and child victims annually.  Funds received from The Mary Kay Foundation will allow the staff and volunteers of Transitions to provide financial empowerment and education programs to guests. “We are so thankful for this grant from the Mary Ka...

This article is primarily about a documentary focused on teenagers and the internet, however, it includes the following line: "In one, a girl who does not reveal her identity, talks with heartbreaking candour about how she would do anything for her BlackBerry; when a gang of boys takes it from her she recounts how she endured sexual assault in order to have it back." The phrase "endured sexual assault" was edited from "allowed herself to be sexually assaulted" and before that, "let herself be gang-raped."  So, here we have another example of victim-blaming, and insinuating that victims have a choice in what happens/happened to them. We have to always be mindful of what words we are using, because WORDS have power.  Flashback Feminist Friday