Counseling After Domestic Violence Is Crucial

The days, months and even years after domestic violence can be overcome with grief and hurt. The emotional and physical scars of the event can linger after you have talked with friends and family. One of the ways that you can deal with the violence is by seeing a counselor. The counselor can help you focus on yourself and how to overcome the abuse. It is important to talk with someone about what happened because if you keep how you feel inside and you don’t express anything, then you may start feeling guilty or like there is no (more…)

March 26th, 2013 admin

The Top Seven Signs of Elder Abuse

Elder abuse happens often; however, there are certain signs and symptoms of elder abuse that should not be ignored. One sign that this is happening is if you see unexplained physical injuries. Another sign is when a person shows poor hygiene or poor nutrition. Also, if a person looks withdrawn, fearful or shows a decline in their finances, these could also be signs of elder abuse.

In addition, if a person looks confused or is unwilling to talk about being abused, these are additional signs that something is wrong. Also, (more…)

July 11th, 2012 admin

Bullying: A Major Issue In Today’s Schools

Bullying has always been a problem for children in and out of schools. The reasons for bullying vary but the feelings and impact from their victims are always the same. The victims of bullies are usually selected in an area or places where the bully will be less likely to be caught which make it difficult for teachers or school staff to intervene. So it is important that children be educated on how to react accordingly if they witness someone being bullied or what to do if they become a victim of a bully.
Children will (more…)

June 2nd, 2011 admin

Why Your Child Is Constantly Afraid To Go To School

There has always been a separation of peer groups in schools with some groups being more popular and accepted than others. In recent years this type of separation has led to some students being ridiculed and bullied by their peers. This bullying behavior can take the form of physical contact with students being pushed, shoved or even beaten by other students. The school administrators and teachers do not offer much in the way of protection because they do not want to receive backlash from parents. (more…)

May 20th, 2011 admin

How To Escape A Dangerously Violent Relationship

Abusive and violent relationships can be of many types, they can be a combination of verbal, physical, mental or sexual abusive or a heightened state of one of these types.

Abusive relationships are often violent along with being mentally disturbing. It is very important for the victim to protect his/herself by escaping the situation no matter how much they might care about the abuser.

Contact the police as soon as you can, if you don’t want to press charges then the first thing to do (more…)

May 8th, 2011 admin

A Great Resource

If you or someone you know has been a victim of crime often the first response is how to find help. Fortunately, the National Center for Victims of Crime is a great first resource (after notifying the authorities, of course).The organization offers a wealth of information on all types of crime and violence ranging from the more obvious (such as stopping violence against women or how to seek civil justice for crime victims) to the less obvious (such as providing information and assistance for hurricane crime victims which could also translate to a victim as a result of any disaster such as assault during looting after riots or earthquakes).Topic s include such things as: (more…)

February 1st, 2011 www.jedavis-stopviolence.org

Suggested Reading

If you’re truly on tap with getting a handle on violence and what you can do to help stop it, one of the best things you can do is arm yourself with information pertaining to the many styles and faces of violence. Following are a few resources that you may want to check out as you build your knowledge base and your defense against this insidious crime in its various forms.Helping Teens Stop Violence: A Practical Guide for Counselors, Educators, and Parents (Allan Creighton, Paul Kivel) is a text that is based on programs developed by the Oakland Men’s Project. It offers a proactive, multicultural approach to get to the roots of violent behavior. The activities and workshops described in the book explore how violence manifests in families and interpersonal relationships; how issues of race, gender, and age are elements to be considered; and how teens can work proactively to stop the violence that may surround them. Included are curricula for classrooms and other group settings, as well as strategies to support peer counselors.Sugar and Spice and No Longer Nice: How We Can Stop Girls’ Violence (Deborah Prothow-Stith, Howard R. Spivak) offers parents and teachers a resource to understand and prevent the increasing incidents of physical violence including hazing, brutality, fighting, weapons, murderwhen committed by young girls. The text was written by Drs. Deborah Prothrow-Stith and Howard R. Spivaktwo renowned Harvard- and Tufts-based experts on understanding and preventing youth violence. The book provides a plan to help our daughters and sisters become strong, confident, powerful, and independent young women without the need to act out in violent ways.STOP Domestic Violence: Innovative Skills, Techniques, Options, and Plans for Better Relationships: Group Leader’s Manual (David B. Wexler) is a manual for group leaders to teach effective and successful programs by the author’s internationally-recognized program by integrating cognitive behavioral skills and a client-centered, skill-building approach that emphasizes respect for the offender himself. Obviously effective for group leaders, but equally informative for anyone interested in better understanding the dynamics of domestic violence and helping the abusive male in the education and healing process.

November 29th, 2010 www.jedavis-stopviolence.org

Bullying is a Form of Violence

With the recent press associated with the suicides of several individuals who had been targeted for bullying because of their sexual orientation, it’s a perfect time to point out that bullying is a form of violence. Period.And to stop this form of violence the Stop Bullying Now website has listed the following actions that can (and should) be taken by schools and communities to assure that such tragedy never has to occur again.

• Schools with anti-bullying policies must clarify that teasing and exclusion based on sexual orientation is prohibited. In the 2005 Harris Interactive survey, students from schools with explicit policies on sexual and gender identification were less likely to report a serious harassment problem (33 percent vs. 44 percent), and reported higher rates of feeling safe at school (54 percent vs. 36 percent) and, consequently, were one-third less likely to skip a class.
• Schools need to consider adding sexual orientation and gender identity to school policies on discrimination and harassment. This sends the message to the school community that no one should be treated differently because of an admitted or presumed sexual orientation.
• Schools, clubs, camps, after school and summer programs, and every youth-serving organization should train staff and volunteers on effective bullying prevention methods and interventions.
• Schools and communities must create safe, non-biased and supportive environments for all children and youth which will reduce the hazards and stresses for sexual minority youth.
• Schools can provide age-appropriate instruction on sexual orientation in health and sexuality curricula. Communities can ensure inclusiveness in social, recreational, and sports programming to set an accepting tone of diverse identities.
• Concerns about bullying or harassment of LGBT youth should be discussed with youth. By avoiding the subject, parents and other adults may convey an attitude of indifference, or worse, an unspoken acceptance of the harassment experienced by LGBT youth.
• Additional supports may be needed when anti- LGBT bullying is detected to guarantee access to qualified health care and mental health providers who are knowledgeable and skilled in health promotion and risk reduction in working with LGBT and questioning youth.
• Clinical guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics encourage pediatricians to help raise awareness among community leaders on issues of adolescent sexuality and specifically relative to sexual minority youth, to provide facts about sexual orientation in school and community libraries, and to develop support groups for minority sexual youth, their friends, and their parents. When youth reveal same-sex attractions and relationships, this is an opportunity for health, medical, and school professionals to better inform and support sexual minority youth by linking them with community resources and helping to overcome the tensions of parents, families and peers.

October 29th, 2010 www.jedavis-stopviolence.org

Unique Home Security Devices to Keep Your Family Safe

A home security system can provide general, overall protection to your home, but there are a number of ways to increase security in specific areas of your house. Most burglars will at least expect the possibility of an alarm going off but they’re much more likely to be caught off guard by an outdoor motion detector or steel door brace. We’re not suggesting you completely pad lock your home with stainless steel, but if there is a particular area you are concerned with there are always ways to further secure your residence.

1. The dual function door security brace from Safety Basement is a 20-gauge steel device that can be inserted under a door knob to prevent someone from entering your house even if they have a key. This device is adjustable to fit different size doors and is easily installed and removed at your convenience.
2. While your alarm system protects the inside of your home it probably is not doing much to guard your outdoor belongings. A motion detector is a very useful device for monitoring outdoor activity. The Caddx Wireless Long Life Pet Immune PIR uses infrared technology to detect any unexpected visitors and then alert a control panel inside. You can set this device to not pick up animals in order to reduce false alarms. (more…)

August 20th, 2010 admin

Surprisingly Vulnerable Household Items

Everyone knows that expensive electronic systems, jewelry or firearms are targets for theft, but these aren’t the only ones. One of the biggest mistakes made by homeowners is to leave anything valuable sitting out in plain view of a person passing by. Think of it like window shopping, you’re much more likely to walk into a store where you’ve seen clothes or products you like displayed in the window. Next time you’re cleaning up the house, look around to see if you’re leaving any of these valuables exposed.Especially now that technological advancements have practically turned cell phones into mini-computers, these are a very appealing sight to a thief. Many people leave their cell phone on a kitchen counter over night, where they plug it into charge. Another common mistake is leaving your phone unattended in your car. Not only does this tempt a burglar to break into your home or car and take your phone, you are also leaving your identify unprotected. Personal information stored inside a smart phone can be used for identity fraud or as a way to find other information such as your address or bank account. (more…)

August 20th, 2010 admin