House Bill 10

From Progress Ohio and The Plain Dealer

Governor Ted Strickland just signed a new law that gives juvenile judges new tools to protect teens after the Ohio Senate passed the House Bill only days ago.

House Bill 10 authorizes juvenile court judges to issue and enforce protection orders defending one minor from another when one has been accused of committing felonious or aggravated assault, menacing by stalking, a sex crime or similar offense. The House Bill takes effect in 90 days.

Linda Dooley Johanek, Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Center of Greater Cleveland, cites the following statistics: about one in three high school students has been or will be involved in an abusive relationship; 38 percent of date rape victims are 14 to 17 years old; 40 percent of teenage girls in that same age group acknowledge that they know someone their age who has been hit by a boyfriend.

Ohio lawmakers were prompted to write a bill after the murder of Shynerra Grant, 17, of Toledo. Shynerra was killed by an ex-boyfriend in 2005. Johanna Orozco provided fearless testimony when lawmakers were deciding the passage of the bill. Johanna survived being raped, stalked and shot in the face by a former boyfriend three years ago, and was unable to obtain a protection order from police because the law did not allow protection orders for minors.

Healing Images from the CRCC Art Studio

from Claire Campbell MA,AT,PC;NCC, Child and Family Therapeutic Services Coordinator

As many of you know, the CRCC offers the use of the expressive therapies in our clinical work with survivors of sexual assault. This approach provides an opportunity for clients to engage both verbally and non-verbally to assist in the transforming of ideas, thoughts and feelings. This expressive approach to therapy includes opportunities such as creating journals, altered book projects, sculpting, painting, collage, breath work, movement and therapeutic play. Each client is supported to work in a way that feels comfortable, safe and present centered.

The images following are just a handful of the countless transformations that happen daily at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. May you be inspired by the healing images and continue the incredible work you do as volunteers advocating and supporting survivors of sexual violence!

Acrylics, recycled book - 14 year old survivor - Altered Book Project

This project focuses on a client's strengths and abilities to transform an object ... to retell or rewrite their story.

Acrylics on canvas - CRCC staff and children at Camp Create 2009

This collaborative project allows for a shared experience including each individual contribution to the greater good. This image now has a permanent home in the CRCC's child and family waiting room.

Watercolors on paper - Camp Create Participants - Inspired by Nature Project
This project allows participants to focus in on their sense of sight and be influenced by the beauty around them at Camp. This is a non-threatening approach to introducing Campers to the landscape on their first day of Camp Create.

Sand tray, popsicle sticks, marbles, etc. - 4 year old survivor - Sand Tray Work
This type of expressive therapy allows a defined space for clients to explore feelings and problem solve in a contained, safe and therapeutic environment. This particular client found great satisfaction ordering, controlling and designing each object in the sand tray each session she visited.

Acrylic on canvas - 11 year old survivor - Layered Painting project
This project allows clients opportunities to explore all the layers of experiences that they have and an acknowledgement that one experience does not define a person.

Are We There Yet?

In 1970, 46 women filed a landmark gender-discrimination case. Their employer was NEWSWEEK. Forty years later, their contemporary counterparts question how much has actually changed.

Are we there yet?

Issue 15 Volunteer Opportunity

The Issue 15 Campaign needs your help this Saturday assembling yard signs. This event is great fun for the entire family.

YARD SIGN ASSEMBLY PARTY
SATURDAY, March 27TH
9am – 12 NOON

CLEVELAND FOODBANK
15500 South Waterloo Road

Snacks and drinks will be provided.
Free parking in the Foodbank lot. Enter through the main door.

Vote FOR ISSUE 15, to protect the critical health and human services for hundreds of thousands of citizens throughout Cuyahoga County. These are vital services for kids, for seniors, and for ALL of us when emergency strikes.

Be the first in your neighborhood to show your support for Issue 15!
http://www.cuyahogahhs.org/

For questions, directions, or to RSVP, contact the campaign office at 216-778-0110 or
Ericka at ethoms@vfc-oh.org

More Regarding the Polygraphing of Victims

from the Plain Dealer, by Regina Brett

Juvenile Court Judge Alison Floyd needs a new calendar.

Last time I checked, it was 2010, not 1970.

The judge ordered three teenaged rape victims to take polygraph tests.

You read correctly.

She ordered the victims of sexual assaults to take lie-detector tests.

She gave that order after the offenders had been found delinquent, the juvenile court equivalent of guilty. The case involved four offenders and three victims.

If the judge doubted the facts of the case, why did she find the boys delinquent? Why didn't she gather more information instead of casting doubt on the victims?

Court administrators said the court wouldn't pay for the lie-detector tests the judge ordered. They must expect the victims to pay.

Unbelievable.

for the article in its entirety, including reaction from Megan O'Bryan, please click here

Thank you, Steve

Thank you to Steve Wertheim of 211.


Steve presented on services and programs that 211 offers. As Steve talked it became clear why we often refer callers to 211. 211 Cuyahoga County is one of the Top 10 211s in the country.

I can’t list all that they do but here are some of the things.

• They are the Homeless Hotline and have a list of all of the shelters and who has openings.


• They are the Foreclosure Prevention Hotline and offer services to prevent foreclosures.


• They offer a translation system so that a caller can speak any language and they will be able to get a translator on the phone with them.


• They offer assistance with prescriptions and medical care.


• They have a list of food pantries that are open on any given day and can tell callers which Food Bank is the one they should be going to.


• They offer information on programming for seniors.


• They can tell a caller what documentation they need to bring with them when applying for social services.

They have an on line database of services that callers can access or you can simply refer to 211 Cleveland. If a caller has an issue that you are not sure where to refer them - 211 will probably have the answer.

Additional Continuing Education Dates Scheduled.

April 15th Lydia Troha from the Board of Developmental Disabilities

May 17th Tracie Paine a Neuroscientist presenting on PTSD and the Brain

June 16th

July 21st

August 31st

September 20th

October 20th

November 18th

Hope to see you there!

Race for the Place

from Ashley Hawke, Director of Advocacy Services

I recently started volunteering at The Gathering Place - a cancer support center in Cleveland offering a wide variety of free programs and services addressing the social, emotional, physical and spiritual needs of individuals with cancer and their families and friends.

I am on the Executive Committee for TGP's annual fundraiser, Race for the Place! On Sunday, June 6th, 2010 - National Cancer Survivors Day - The Gathering Place is hosting the tenth annual Race for the Place presented by Medical Mutual and University Hospitals Ireland Cancer Center at Beachwood Place.

Show your encouragement for your community members who have been touched by cancer by recruiting your friends, classmates, families, and co-workers – near and far – to form a team. Please consider participating in this 5k or 1mile race by reviewing the save-the-date and invitation to create a team.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or visit http://www.touchedbycancer.org/

Registration for the race is now LIVE on the website! Also, if you raise $500 from family and friends to support your participation in the Race OR recruit a team of 25 people to participate in the Race, you will be registered to win four airline tickets on Continental and a week-long stay at a condo in Hilton Head!! For more details on this fabulous package, visit http://www.touchedbycancer.org/SUPPORT/raceincentive2010.asp

Thank you!