Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Teens fearful of reporting domestic abuse
Teens Fearful of Reporting Domestic Abuse
In Chicago, Sullivan High School sophomore Adeola Matanmi has heard the same.
"People said, 'I would have punched her around too,'" Matanmi said. "And these were girls!"
As allegations of battery swirl around the famous couple, experts on domestic violence say the response from teenagers just a few years younger shows the desperate need to educate this age group about dating violence.
Their acceptance, or even approval, of abuse in romantic relationships is not a universal reaction. But it comes at a time when 1 in 10 teenagers has suffered such abuse and females ages 16 to 24 experience the highest rates of any age group.
In recent years, some schools and youth organizations have started educating teens about the dangers of dating violence. Rhode Island and Virginia have adopted laws requiring such instruction in the public schools.
But most states, including Illinois, don't have such a mandate, and education on the topic remains in short supply, experts say. Two of three new programs created by the federal Violence Against Women Act in 2005 to address teen dating violence were never funded.
"This incident has brought the issue into sharp focus," said Esta Soler, president of the California-based Family Violence Prevention Fund. "This type of education is not happening in any broad or consistent way. We need to take it to scale, to make sure it's happening in every community."
Details of the incident between singers Brown and Rihanna are fuzzy, but the story continues to create much buzz among teens across the Chicago area. Because she's 21 and he's 19, many teens see them as peers.
Katie Lullo, a junior at Elk Grove High School, said her classmates and friends were upset. "No one thinks it's right for a guy to hit a girl," she said. And when the topic arose at an after-school program at Evanston, Ill.'s YMCA, many participants said abuse was "bogus."
But other teens insist violence is sometimes justified in relationships.
While young fans have plastered Rihanna's MySpace page with notes of support, many comments on Brown's page express delight at the possibility that he battered a woman.
Kriana Jackson, a sophomore at Sullivan, said it's a sign of a broader culture of acceptance of abuse.
"There was a girl at school this week with a scratch on her eye," Jackson said. "She was talking openly about her boyfriend hitting her, but she was smiling and saying it was funny."
Young people carry these attitudes into adulthood, experts say, and young targets of dating violence are more likely to succumb to aggression in later relationships.
For that reason, experts see education and other prevention initiatives geared at teens and preteens as one of the best hopes for halting dating and domestic violence.
"We know that education is absolutely crucial to breaking the cycle of abuse and strengthening healthy relationships," said Candice Hopkins, director of loveisrespect.org, the National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline, which started in 2007 and receives about 90 contacts a week.
Because young victims move in a different world than that of older people, they require unique interventions.
Text messaging and online social-networking sites, especially popular among teenagers, serve as tools for stalking and harassment. Victims often keep quiet, fearing that if they report another student's aggressive behavior, they will be socially ostracized -- or that their parents will confiscate their cell phone or close a Facebook account.
Teens also can have a harder time severing contact with an abuser. Many are forced to see the perpetrator every day at school, sometimes in the same class. Young adults seeking an order of protection from Cook County judges must bring a guardian to apply on their behalf.
Last summer, the president of the National Association of Attorneys General launched a campaign called "Working Together to End the Violence" and specifically called on communities to focus on relationship abuse among young people. More recently, the Family Violence Prevention Fund launched a national public-service advertising campaign this month called "That's Not Cool" to help teens recognize digital dating abuse and take steps to prevent it.
The Chicago-based group Between Friends is among the non-profit organizations that go into schools to teach students about the signs of abusive control, why it's wrong and how to cultivate healthy relationships. Its REACH program gets students involved in role-playing and other exercises.
"When we first get there, it's not unusual for kids -- both boys and girls -- to say it's OK to hit your girlfriend or boyfriend," said Kathy Doherty, the organization's executive director. "By the time we're done, they say, yes, it is abuse, and, no, we shouldn't do that."
As Doherty and others work to expand such programming, they hope teachers, parents and others use the story about Brown and Rihanna to talk to teens about dating violence.
Loos said his law teacher at Lake Forest recently incorporated the story into class.
But when students brought it up in Chelsea Whitis' economics class at Lane Tech High School in Chicago, the teacher brushed it aside.
"He said the celebrities were getting too much attention and didn't want us to talk about it," Whitis said.
WARNING SIGNS AND SOURCES OF HELP
Signs of an abusive relationship
Your boyfriend or girlfriend:
--Hits, slaps, pushes or kicks you
--Controls where you go, what you wear or what you do
--Tries to stop you from seeing or talking to family or friends
--Calls you derogatory names
--Sends repeated text messages
--Forces you to do something sexual when you don't want to
SIGNS THAT YOUR FRIEND OR CHILD MAY BE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
She apologizes for his behavior and/or makes excuses for him.
She frequently cancels plans at the last minute for reasons that sound untrue.
She seems worried about upsetting him or making him angry.
She's giving up things that used to be important to her and is becoming increasingly isolated.
Her weight, appearance or grades have changed dramatically. These could be signs of depression, which could indicate abuse.
She has injuries she can't explain, or the explanations she gives don't make sense.
Note: Males can also be victims and show similar signs
RESOURCES
~National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: loveisrespect.org, 866-331-9474
~National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233
~Domestic Violence 24 Hour Helpline For Survivors in Illinois: 877-863-6338
~www.thatsnotcool.org, funded by the Family Violence Prevention Fund(c) 2009, Chicago Tribune.Visit the Chicago Tribune on the Internet at http://www.chicagotribune.com/
~Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
~ARCHIVE ILLUSTRATION on MCT Direct (from MCT Illustration Bank, 202-383-6064): Violence in media ILLUSFor reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Ten Reasons to Prevent Child Abuse: RESPONSE
Ten Reasons to Prevent Child Abuse: NOTES
2) Child abuse stymies a child's normal growth and development. The emotional and physical damage children suffer from abuse and neglect is extensive. Documented consequences of abuse include chronic health problems, cognitive and language disorders, and socio-emotional problems, such as low self-esteem, lack of trust, and poor relationships with adults and peers.
3) Child abuse is costly for many social institutions.
4) Child abuse costs continue to multiply over time.
5) Child abuse victims often repeat the violent acts that they experienced on their own children. Although some victims can overcome the scars of their abuse, child abuse victims are six times more likely to become abusive parents than non-abused children are.
6) Treatment services, while critical, are often ineffective in permanently altering parental behaviors.
7) Prevention programs targeted at parents before they become abusive or neglectful reduce the likelihood for future maltreatment. Home visitor programs for new parents have consistently demonstrated the most positive outcomes. Specific gains include improved mother-infant bonding, enhanced parenting skills, and more consistent use of health care services. Recipients of these services also have demonstrated a reduced rate of child abuse when compared to comparable groups of parents not receiving services.
8) Prevention programs targeted at children can improve a child's awareness of how best to avoid child abuse and other unsafe practices. Repeated reviews of numerous evaluations of these programs indicate that such efforts can result in increased knowledge for children about safety rules and what they should do if they are being abused. Further, the programs create an environment in which children can more easily disclose prior or ongoing maltreatment.
9) Child abuse prevention efforts serve as a way to combat other social problems of concern to the public and to policy makers.
10) Child abuse prevention creates a more compassionate society, one which places a high value on the welfare of children.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Response: Mother Charged With Child Abuse, Torture
Notes: Mother Charged With Child Abuse, Torture
~This mother, Reyna Valentina of Hamtramck, called the cops on herself!
~She was accused of putting her 4-year-old daughter inside a heated oven & burning her eyes with a metal object.
~4 year old stated "Mom cooks me like a turket in the oven" says Hamtramck police Detective Ben Bilecki.
~the youngest also stated that, "Mama gave me the boo bos in my eyes."
~this 40 yr. old mother is also being accused of beating her 6 yr. old with a metal bar.
~"All of the kids are terrified of their mother, the defendant in this case. They do not want to go back to her," Bilecki said.
~Randy, who is Reyna Valentina husband, is a good mother but is suffering from mental illness.
"Reyna is a fantastic mother. She's a very loving mother. She has a mental illness that she's dealt with for 20 plus years since she was a child," he said. "The things that she has done are only when she's off medication. When she's ill, those things present themselves."
~"She's Perfect." Randy says, when she is on medication and keeps up with therapy.
~children are now in protective custody, and Officials told Local 4 that the children have been removed before.
~If Valentina is convicted she could spend the rest of her life in prison, preliminary exam is on Feb 12.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
CPS Releases Report After Child Dies from Alleged Abuse
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
CPS Releases Report After Child Dies from Alleged Abuse
-Father of 10-year old Seth Ireland tells he is going to sue Child Protective Services for his son's death, and has hired a well-known Fresno Attorney.
-Warren Paboojian says he will file lawsuit againisnt CPS in 30-60 days.
-Seth died Jan. 6th after invetigators say 5th grader had ben severely beaten by mothers boyfriend, Lebaron Vaughn. Rena Ireland also in custody on child abuse charges.
-Paboojian says CPS recieved alot of warnings but never removed Seth from his abusive home.
-"He also wants to make sure this never happens again and to find out what happened and why the system failed Seth and Joe Hudson, and this terrible tragedy occurred. Obviously, one of the ways you do that is to file a civil suit and seek monetary damages," said Paboojian.
-childs father, Joe Hudson, was fighting for legal custody before his death.
-seth and brothers were allowed to use alcohol and drugs while in mothers care.
-Fresno County Department of Children and Family Servies release complete investigation file.
-in past few months half a dozen calls were made to fresno Country Child Protective Services about the 10 year old.
-from august 27th to december 29th, CPS had gotten 6 different referrals.
-CPS screener was informed that anonymous called could hear arguing and fighting and banging on walls coming from seths home.
-The caller says," The kids are often heard screaming, stop!" caller has concerns for kids being abused.-CPS said seth adn brothers never removed because notn at eminent risk.
-Huerta says a quality assurance board compiled the report.
-It also says the county paid up to $5,000 for burial expenses because the 10-year old died while under the care of Child Protective Services.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Response on: Police: Man Abused Child for 16 Years
Notes on: Police: Man Abused Child for 16 Years
+Allegenay County Police in Cumberland file charges against man being accused of sexually abusing a male chiild for sixteen years. sense 1991-2008.
+files charges against 42 yr. old Kenneth Dow Green, lives on Valley Rd. in Cumberland.
+investigation started; law enforement officials recieved complaint from victim.
+recieved search warrent to Kenneth Greens house.
+evidence recieved: Videos of the sexual activities were found, as well as other evidence to support allegations.
+charged with: 2nd, 3rd, 4th Degree sex offense, sexual abuse of minor, child abuse!
+after initial appearance before District Court Commisioner, incarcerated in Alleganey County Detention Center for $950,000.00 bond. After court, bail review bond stayed the same.
+additional charges: 2nd degree sex offense (2 counts), 3rd degree sex offence (4 counts), 4th degree sex offense, child abuse (4 counts), Sodomy, attempted 1st degree sex offense, attempted 2nd degree sex offense (2 counts), attempted sodomy (2 counts), peverted practice (2 counts).
+after new charges, bond was dropped, after appearacne at district court commisioner.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Hillarys response
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Grace Responce
Mardy's response
Danica's Response
Friday, December 12, 2008
Response on Palm Bay Woman
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Notes on Palm Bay Woman.
25 yr. old woman, Michelle Taylore, has a 4 week old son.
she got arrested, wed. 10, 2008; after taking son to hopital for spiral fracture in right leg.. detectives say caused by abuse!
woman had 3 other children.
charged for child abuse, making inconsistent statements;
blaming injury on 20-month old daughter.
Taylors children were taken into custody, and she was arrested.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Tampa Fl Response
News Centers Give Shelter, Comfort in Trying Times. (Tampa, Fl)
Mary Lee Farrior & Sara Romeo (the two women who made Tampa a safer place.)
with huge effort, and dedication they put together two institutions; at
MAry Lee's House, protection and advocacy for abused children.
Athena House, living center for homeless female veterans.
wihtout them; no institutions.
without community; no time, money, resources;
Athena House: home of 16 female veterans, largest in Southeast. Shelter, former Ybor City boarding house, served male soldiers from WW2.
Romeo; instrumental in saving historic structure from the wrecking ball when stood in way of Interstate 4 wideneing project. - building was put up for bids, Tapa Crossroads won. Everything id newly renovated and furnished home donated.
woman that live there= roof over heads, access to help veteran-related issues; post-traumatic stress.
WEst Tampa; Mary Lee's HOuse operated as state-of-the are center for children that have suffered abuse. $6 million, 30,000-square-foot center, house all agenencies who work to rescue kids form abuse situations.
MAry Lee's House- gather agencies that deal with ^^^ under 1 roof: law enforcement, state attorney's and public defender's offices, Fl Dept. of Children & Families, USF DEpt. of Pediactrics and communtiy mental health organizations.
This was done, to prevent children having to to all these scary places, instead going to "cheerful" Mary Lee's House: everything designed for kids, right down to tiny interview charis and medical exam rooms.
goal: bring all groups togeher-promote collaboration benefit children.
Mary Lee Farrior- son Rex Farrior III- executive directer Peg Reese- traveld Fl studied children's advocacy centers across US to make sure Mary Lee's House designed to use best practices in working w/ traumatized children.
"The news these days is rarely happy," homeless veterans, abused children. 2 developments offer hope to show "even the worst of times can bring out the best in people."
Friday, November 14, 2008
brittany's response
Jakes response
Matt's response
Ashley's Response
Hilary's Response
Jessica's response
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
5 Paragraph Essay
Unfortunately, child abuse is a very current topic. There are articles beyond articles on different children from everywhere getting abused. In Proquest, when I did research last week, there were pages of child abuse in the past two days. And in google news, as I just looked, there were tons of pages. There is just always something coming up about child abuse. I think this topic is so current because so many people have children at such young ages, and sadly, a lot of them do drugs. I believe that drugs or alcohol, being high or drunk, could have a big part child abuse, as well as anger issues. I really don't know why people abuse children, I have never been in the situation myself or seen it.
As I researched last week, I found that there were pages of different articles, in just two days. And as I just looked in google news, once again were pages and pages of links and articles that show how much young people are being abused by sometimes their own parents, and sometimes just by strangers.
I think that Child Abuse is suitability for ongoing research because it seems like it's always happening. Maybe not too too much on the television news, and maybe not so much here, as much other places, but there is always some issue with child abuse.
Giving that I chose child abuse for my topic, I don't think it should it be too challenging, because there are a lot of places where I could go to find articles from the day before, and sometimes even that same day you are researching it. But then again, it could also be very challenging because of all the information, it may end up being overwhelming.